Our Staff Team

Elmira Mennonite Church uses a 2-pastor team approach to ministry.  Depending on the congregation's needs, up to 2-FTE positions are filled at a given time.  In addition, a Lay Ministry Team assists with preaching, leading congregational prayers and visitation.  When qualified persons are available, EMC chooses to keep a balance of female and male leaders.

Jonathan Brubacher - Lead Pastor

Having grown up in Elmira, I am so thankful for my home congregation of Zion Mennonite Fellowship where my faith was nurtured and participation in the congregation was encouraged. Since beginning as Elmira Mennonite Church’s Youth Worker in 2012, I have appreciated the support and encouragement of the EMC family to explore ministry and respond to the call to accept greater responsibility. The winding road that led me to accept the call to serve as pastor at Elmira Mennonite Church includes studying Wildlife Biology at University of Guelph, working on a chicken farm, and completing a Masters of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College.

I am grateful for the warm welcomed extended to my wife, Laura Jane, before and since our marriage in 2017.

I love exploring the natural world, dabbling in beekeeping, and, along with my wife, caring for our rented farmhouse property. My relationship with God continues to be enriched by the intersection between faith and creation. I’m fascinated by the Biblical character Elisha. Maybe it is his boldness, or perhaps the unexpected stories where God acts in powerful ways in the ins-and-outs of daily life. Through those stories, I am challenged to be alert to the movement of the Spirit in the everyday.

Charleen Jongejan Harder - Associate Pastor

Charleen Jongejan Harder is Associate Pastor at Elmira Mennonite Church.  She is married to Kendall, and they have two children, Tobias and Mattea, who are attending Rockway Mennonite Collegiate.  They recently moved to Kitchener from Leamington where Charleen and Kendall co-pastored at North Leamington United Mennonite Church.   That’s where they weathered out the pandemic in their home.  

Prior to that, they co-pastored at Valleyview Mennonite Church in London.  A highlight there was being part of launching the London Interfaith Peace Camp.   

Charleen received her M.Div at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart IN, and her BA at Calvin University in Grand Rapids MI (English, French and Theology).  She was raised in the Christian Reformed Church, and became a Mennonite as a young adult after participating in Mennonite Voluntary Service in St. Paul MN.   She was drawn to the peace position and community life.  

She loves singing, camping, canoeing, board games, reading, and walking with her dog Ruby.   

Perhaps most significantly, before and after all of these details, Charleen is a beloved child of God, and she believes you are too.