Lifelong Learner Award: Rehema Kavugha: working in ministry is both “messy and fun”

During the university’s annual homecoming and alumni reunion weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. Rehema Kavugha received the 2023 Lifelong Learner Award. The Concordia University, Nebraska Lifelong Learner Award is given to a graduate alumnus of Concordia who has demonstrated a commitment to service through volunteerism and/or significant vocational achievement. 

Rehema Kavugha ’06 received a bachelor of arts in vocal music and bachelor of music in music education with Lutheran Teacher Diploma. She then received a master’s degree in business administration a concentration in leadership and managing teams through change in 2017.  

A Houston, Texas, native, Kavugha worked as a music teacher in Lutheran schools in Gretna, Louisiana and Alexandria, Virginia prior to her employment at Concordia Nebraska in 2013, where she served as director of student development. She began her service at the Lutheran Church Extension Fund in 2019 and was promoted to director of synod relations in 2022. She is active at St. Paul's Lutheran in Des Peres, Missouri, where she serves as a girl’s volleyball coach. She also volunteers at Second Chance Ranch working with senior dogs. 

During her time at as a student at Concordia, Kavugha said she not only made life-long friendships, she enjoyed being able to learn from some of the best professors in the church.   

“I learned skills, rooted in my faith, to witness Christ crucified to the world this was both in and out of the classroom,” she said. “Being able to be a part of the music department, an RA, working at the bookstore and other student clubs gave me the opportunity to meet so many people, and I have been blessed to connect with them all. I had some amazing professors who have become friends, mentors and colleagues.” 

Kavugha’s parents live in Houston, Texas. She has one sister and one brother. Her sister is married with one young daughter, and her brother is an 8th grader at Memorial Lutheran School in Houston. Her extended family lives in Tanzania, East Africa. 

She said that working in ministry is both messy and fun.   

“God has a purpose for you that you will never understand, but if you trust in Him, He will do more than you can imagine,” she said. “I grew up thinking I would serve the church as a teacher, and I am where I am simply because of Jesus and the plan He had for me that I could have never imagined.” 

Interested in discovering Concordia’s music education offerings?  Learn more here.