Reverend Deon A. McKenzie, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Rev. Deon A. McKenzie, a native of Nassau, Bahamas, and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, is a retired United States Army veteran with 36 years of honorable service. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Arkansas–Grantham and a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary.
Answering his call to ministry in February 2002, Rev. McKenzie has faithfully served congregations in Chicago, IL, Long Island, NY, and Missouri. In 2010, he was assigned to Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, MO, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including Interim Pastor during the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2023, Immanuel United Church of Christ–Ferguson unanimously called him as their 13th Pastor, making history as the first African American to serve in this role in the church’s 134-year history.
Rev. McKenzie shares life and ministry with his wife, Minister Kimberly. They are the proud parents of three adult children—Armaun, Danielle (married to Chaz), and Morgan—and the joyful grandparents of seven grandchildren: Erica, Armaun Jr., Adam, Lyric, Kenzo, Ali, and their soon-to-arrive granddaughter, Nyla.
Jennifer Jansen
Financial Manager
Jennifer has been employed with Immanuel since 2012. She handles all the accounting and payroll responsibilities. Jennifer is married to Greg and they have three children. She enjoys sports and outdoor activities.
Linda Stoecklin, R.N.
Parish Nurse
Linda is a health educator, a personal counselor, a referral agent, a health advocate, and she assists people to integrate faith and health. She is a licensed pastor which allows the homebound to receive communion and anointing when she visits.
Sarah Ewald
Youth Coordinator
I am a mother of 2 boys, Damian 18, and Roland 4, have 2 fur babies, Arianna and Mickey, and I have 13 babies in heaven between Damian and Roland.
I am born and raised in North County and still a current resident. Prior to taking the Youth Coordinator position at Immanuel UCC, I worked at Hope Church as the special needs minister to children with severe autism. Throughout my many years at Hope Church I have worked with children ranging from infant to 17 years old. Prior to working at Hope Church, I was a PSR teacher at St. Ferdinand Catholic School working with 1st and 7th graders.
My hobbies are bird watching, photography, and spending as much time with my family as I can. I have always felt the calling to ministry since I was very young. I have many fun and innovative ways to bring excitement to our youth. Thank you for having my family and me at Immanuel UCC.
Shamar Jordan
Minister of Music
Shamar R. Jordan currently serves as Director of Music for the Immanuel United Church of Christ, in which he researches, plans, implements and monitors the ministry of music.
Shamar began his musical journey at the age of twelve as the pianist for the Liberty St. Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Illinois with major influence and inspiration from his mother. For more than three decades, Shamar has rolled with the highs and lows while traveling and spanning the world as a pianist, choral director, vocalist, and workshop clinician.
Shamar is married to Angela, and they have two daughters (Nataya & Divine), that have both performed at Carnegie Hall.