Sonya Stauffer Kurtz, Lead Pastor
Participation in the life of the Christian church, wherever she has lived, has enriched Sonya’s life and shaped her identity. From childhood in Iowa, through the Shenandoah Valley (Eastern Mennonite University), East Africa, Idaho, and upstate New York, the church has always been a place of significant community, Christian formation, and challenge. Enhancing worship through the arts is one of Sonya’s interests. One of her favorite scripture passages is Isaiah 55, which contains an invitation to abundant life that is more than we can ask or think.
Sonya received her M.Div. from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in 2009. She has served as a district pastor in NY Mennonite Conference, as moderator of NY Mennonite Conference, and as a pastor in Rochester, NY. In 2006, she taught Anabaptist History and Theology at Meserete Kristos College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She also served as interim pastor at East Union Mennonite Church, Kalona, IA. She started her working life as a geriatric social worker and holds a graduate certificate in aging studies from the University of Iowa. Sonya and her husband, Roger, have two young adult sons, Vince and Alex.
When not writing sermons or thinking about church business, Sonya enjoys gardening, travel, walks in the neighborhood, and exploring her community. Sonya joined Zion’s pastoral team in July 2017.
Beth Rauschenberger
, Pastor
Beth Rauschenberger has been attending Zion since 1990 when her children, then in preschool, attended Zion’s Vacation Bible School and loved it. In August of 2002, she was called by God and the Zion congregation to fill the Director of Congregational Care role within the church. This position eventually grew to become her current position of Associate Pastor.
Family is very important to Beth, whether it is her personal family or her church family at Zion. Beth is married to Rudy, has two daughters, a son, son-in-law, and four grandchildren. When her children and grandchildren aren’t keeping her busy, she enjoys spending time visiting and caring for the Zion church family.
Throughout Beth’s spiritual journey she has learned the importance of listening to and trusting God. Beth says, “although it’s not an easy lesson and there are times I struggle and question where God is calling me, I know that God is with me: holding me when things get hard, giving me strength when I am weak, and providing words when my voice is silent.”
Mike Ford, Associate Pastor of Youth and Outreach
Mike loves Jesus and people, and has been combining those two loves for the last 40 years through work on a college campus, being Program Director at 2 Christian camps, hospital chaplaincy, and serving as a Youth Pastor and Preaching Pastor at several Mennonite Churches. Mike oversees Zion’s Jr/Sr High youth ministry and helps with its outreach activities. Mike has an undergraduate degree from Juniata College and an M.Div. from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.
Mike loves the challenge found in Philippians 2:3-4, “in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Living out the way of Jesus is other-centered, not self-centered, and it’s a wonderful and necessary focus to daily put the needs of others ahead of one’s own desires.
Mike lost his wife Val to brain cancer in September 2023, and has great empathy and compassion for those that experience trauma and loss. Mike loves outdoor adventure, acoustic music, sports, chocolate, and a cup of coffee and a good book. He has 4 young adult children living in PA, NY, and MT.
Erin Constanzer
Interim Children’s Ministry Director
Erin joined the nursery school as an assistant in 2014. She has an Associate’s degree in medical assisting. Erin and her husband Andy, have three kids, Rori, Bryn and Cole. They have been married for 17 years. In her spare time Erin enjoys reading and spending time with the kids and their various activities, mainly soccer.