John Deang

In Loving Memory of Reverend John Changkuoth Deang BA, MDiv.

On the evening of March 27, 2024, Reverend John Changkuoth Deang, age 49, passed on peacefully at UNMC Nebraska Medicine, Bellevue, Nebraska. He was comforted by his family near and far, ending a yearlong courageous battle with liver cancer. 

Reverend John C. Deang was born on December 25, 1974, in Adura Thiajak, a town located in the Gambella region of Ethiopia.  He was the third child of Simon Deng Kier and Nyamach Ruon’s five children:  Yiech, Pal, Nyapan, Nyagier, Duol.  John has other four stepbrothers and sisters: Garang, Paul, Kom, Wanwech and Nyadeng, from his father’s second marriage after his mother passed on when he was young.    

In his early life, John and his parents relocated to Itang in 1976 and to Yiechkuar also known as Makuach in 1979.  He began elementary education at Brahane Salam Primary School in 1980, and subsequently moved back to Itang where he completed his 5^th through 8^th grade at Itang Primary and Secondary School in 1985-1987, and 9^th and 10^th grade at Gambella Secondary School.  He moved on to Ethiopian Southern Nations and Nationalities where he completed 11^th through 12^th grade at Bonga Secondary School and earned a high school diploma in 1994.  He married to his beautiful wife, Gnakate (Martha) Diat in Gambella on April 18, 2009.

John's faith journey began at a young age.  Born into a Christian family, John spent his youth serving in the Sunday School and Choir Ministry.  He briefly moved to Kenya and later immigrated to the United States of America in 1995 and joined the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on July 4, 1997.  John was Commissioned as a Deacon on February 8, 1998, in the Texas District LCMS.  John’s inspiring call to ordained ministered began with a blessing of a scholarship from the LCMS to study at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Sociology on August 11, 2002. John joined Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE where he met his spiritual father, mentor, confidant Rev. Dr. S T Williams, Jr.  John was encouraged to continue theological studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree on May 19, 2006. 

John was Ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on June 1, 2006 at the Convention of the Nebraska District LCMS. His first Divine Call was to be Missionary-at-Large in the Nebraska District LCMS. While serving also as the Missionary-at-Large in South Sudan, the church doubled John’s role to function as the Assistance to Bishop Wilson Noah of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan/South Sudan in April 2013–2016. 

John later returned to the United States and received a Divine Call as the Senior Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE. He was installed on November 25, 2018.  He faithfully served in this historical African American congregation and other Sudanese congregations and community organizations until God called him home on March 27, 2024. John was also a faithful and active member of the Black Clergy Caucus of the Lutheran Church from 2002 to 2024.  

As a pastor, spiritual leader and international missionary, John did not only raise and equip faithful leaders in the United States of America and South Sudan, but also touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, love, and compassion. He was a faithful leader, loving spiritual son, a loving husband and father, a cherished brother, a loyal friend to many.  His presence brought warmth and comfort. His words inspired hope, and his actions exemplified the very presence of God. His goodness, left behind cherished memories and a legacy of strength and resilience.  John’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Simon Deng Kier, and mother, Nyamach Ruon, and his older brother, Peter Pal Deang.  He is survived by his lovely wife, Gnakate (martha) Diat, and four beautiful children, Nyaliep (Grace), Goykuoth (GoyGoy), Rebecca and Simon, and ten of the eleven siblings.

The homegoing and legacy of life service to honor and celebrate John's earthly journey will be held on May 11, 2014, 8:00am at King of Kings Lutheran Church LCMS, located at 11615 “I” Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The family requests that donations be made in his loving memory to offset the funeral costs. 

May Pastor John Deang rest in eternal peace, free from pain, and may his memory and legacy continue to bring comfort to those who mourn his passing.

Please join us in remembering and celebrating John's life until we meet him around the throne of God one day.  

The family of Reverend John Changkuoth Deang