Pastor John Bender

John Bender began serving as pastor at Pittsburgh Mennonite Church on August 1, 2004. John is married to Marilyn and they have three young adult daughters. John graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 1978 and from Eastern mennonite Seminary in 1983. John and Marilyn started Raleigh Mennonite Church and served there as Co-Pastors from 1986-2004. John feels called to live and work in an urban setting and to invite people to participate in God’s nonviolent reign of justice, mercy and reconciliation. John enjoys working in the yard, playing table games, sporting events, camping with family, and hanging out with friends.

Ken Zeleny

Ken is a resident of Bellevue where he is active in community activities.  A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Ken is one of the few members of Pittsburgh Mennonite who was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area.  Ken has been involved at Pittsburgh Mennonite in many respects and has a great love for this community.  Outside the church, Ken is involved in mentoring at risk youth, Angel Food Ministries and promoting Bellevue as a great place to live, shop and worship.  He promotes the use of public transportation and can get you anywhere in the city on a bus!  Ken enjoys hanging out with his friends, sightseeing in the Burgh and the world but mostly just people.

Joel Wildermuth

Originally from Sidney, OH, Joel is a 2011 graduate of Bluffton University in Bluffton, OH, and is a current participant in the 2011-2012 PULSE program. Studying both Mennonite history and theology at Bluffton, Joel is excited to be working with the congregation of Pittsburgh Mennonite Church to explore the possibilities of working in a congregational setting. Joel’s favorite hobbies include playing piano and guitar, listening to and writing music, reading, and spending good time with friends. Joel hopes that his time at PMC will be full of active engagement in the congregational setting and perhaps guidance and clairvoyance for the next step if his life’s journey. Ultimately, Joel’s hope is to better understand what it means to effectively teach and practically live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in whatever setting or job he finds himself in the present and future.