Pastor/ Executive Director

Jessica Reesor Rempel
jessica@pastorsinexile.org

Jessica (Jessie, she/her) is passionate about nurturing community, extending radical hospitality and seeking out sacred moments in the midst of the mundane. Through her work with PiE, she is energized by experiencing God at work in new and unexpected ways in the Kitchener-Waterloo community. Jessie’s call to this ministry has been shaped by studies at Conrad Grebel and the Toronto School of Theology as well as time spent serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Ontario and in Laos. In addition to her work with PiE, Jessie is currently serving as Interim Chaplain at Conrad Grebel University College. 

Born and raised on a farm, the outdoors still feels like home to Jessie, and you can often find her wandering the woods in Breithaupt Park or digging in the soil in her back yard vegetable garden. She and her partner Steven Reesor Rempel and their daughters, Anna and Stella, live in Midtown Kitchener. Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church is their spiritual home. 

Pastor

Steph Chandler Burns
steph@pastorsinexile.org

Steph (they/them) is excited to continue working with PiE in this new way. They have previously supported PiE through Queerly Christian and serving on the board. Steph has been pastoring in Waterloo Region for the past few years and loves learning together about God’s love for the community and the world.

Steph lives in Kitchener on the Haldimand Tract, land traditionally cared for by the Anishnaabe, Haudenosaunee and Neutral peoples, with their partner, Greg and their cat, Lulu and many board games. 

Development and Communications Manager

Becca Sawyer
becca@pastorsinexile.org

Becca (she/her) has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit world as a workshop facilitator, speaker, administrator, event planner, and community builder. Becca has a BA in international development studies & political economy from Trent University as well as an Masters of Theological Studies of Urban and International Development from Wycliffe College. Throughout her life she has found herself a part of Pentecostal, Anglican and Anabaptist spiritual communities. She is particularly passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ justice and is energized by the prophetic voice of the PiE community who are serving as an example for the broader church in radical hospitality. 

Becca lives with her partner, Mary, in Oshawa. In addition to her work with PiE, Becca is currently completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology. In her free time, you can find her playing ukulele and with her family dog, Belly.