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. Currently our leadership is actively working to fill the Lead Pastor role.

Lead Pastor

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.