Pastor Ben Wideman

Our family feels fortunate to have found our faith community at University Mennonite Church. We love the emphasis on intergenerational connection, outreach to the community, and a willingness to speak up and stand with those who are feeling marginalized. Beyond that we love living in Happy Valley, the home of Penn State–a place with many opportunities for cultural connection, community building, and exploring and exercising amid the beauty of our local landscape.

My faith was shaped by my family and home community at Wideman Mennonite Church in Markham, Ontario. It developed further during my time studying theology at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was also here that I met and fell in love with my spouse, Meredith. Together we headed west to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where I received my Masters of Divinity. Southern California was an exciting place to learn how to be a pastor, and to explore theological questions amid the economic, cultural, and political diversity of that region.

My first pastoral role was at Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. I feel blessed that Salford allowed me to work alongside a pastoral team, learning from their example and years of wisdom. I worked primarily with youth and young adults and also had opportunities to preach and practice pastoral care with the entire congregation. 

I arrived at University Mennonite Church in the fall of 2014 to become our first campus pastor and to launch 3rd Way Collective–Penn State’s first campus ministry focused on peace and social justice, rooted in our Anabaptist tradition. My faith was deeply impacted by the students who crossed my path, and the ways they saw Jesus in working for a more just and inclusive world. It was here where I really learned the value of a presence-based ministry, bridge-building, and blending a faith-based posture with a variety of causes and issues.

After six years in this role, it was time for a change. I shifted to being primarily a stay-at-home dad, while continuing to help with worship coordination and other administrative duties at University Mennonite. Along the way I worked as a bike mechanic and volunteered in the community.

I received an affirming call from the congregation to move into a full-time pastor role in May of 2026. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside UMC’s previous two pastors – first with Marv Friesen, and then with Kate Heinzel. Both have been incredible friends and mentors.

It is a real gift to be a pastor at University Mennonite Church. It’s a place to explore discipleship and ask questions amidst a caring and supportive community.

I’d love to connect! Please contact me to start a conversation, grab a cup of coffee, or go for a walk, hike, bike ride, or even a round of disc golf!