Faces of Wesley: You might have heard Techika Rhodes before you met her, as Techika is blessed with a gift of music. In addition to voice, piano and trombone, Techika, a 3rd Year M.Div. student (specialization in African American Church Studies Program), is literally the beating heart of the Wesley Chapel Choir, providing rhythms on the cajon drum box each Tuesday Chapel. You will experience great warmth and a wonderful smile in her presence.

Born in Mississippi, Techika was raised in Chicago during her toddler years but spent most of her life in Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in Sociology and an A.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

A Wesley alum introduced Techika to Wesley: “the Rev. Jana Green, director of the U of A - Little Rock's Wesley Foundation and Senior Pastor of Oak Forest United Methodist Church (Little Rock)…she extended an invitation to apply to Wesley, and here I am today,” said Techika.

Techika says that being at Wesley has empowered her. “Wesley has helped me to develop a stronger voice, expanded my horizons, and has allowed me the opportunity to gain deeper theological wisdom through the teaching of my professors,” she said.