THE REV. MELISSA A. BURKHART, PASTOR
In 2024, Zion's Union Church Maxatawny called Rev. Melissa A. Burkhart after serving as an Associate Pastor for five years. Before her pastoral work, she spent time in cabinetry design. Given the opportunity to engage in youth ministry, she attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, earning a Youth Ministry Certification in 2009. While serving as a lay Youth Minister, Pastor Melissa heard a call to pastoral leadership. Following this call, she pursued a Master of Divinity degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary, ordained in November 2017.
After ordination, Pastor Melissa and her family moved to the suburbs of eastern Pennsylvania, leaving their long-time home in Lancaster County. She is passionate about providing authentic, available, and affirming ministry across multiple generations.
Pastor Melissa is married to Jon Burkhart, and they have three children: Emily, Joshua, and Makayla. Emily is married to Alex. In her free time, Pastor Melissa enjoys creating and viewing art, and spending time with her family and their three dogs, Remo, Jack, and Kana.
After ordination, Pastor Melissa and her family moved to the suburbs of eastern Pennsylvania, leaving their long-time home in Lancaster County. She is passionate about providing authentic, available, and affirming ministry across multiple generations.
Pastor Melissa is married to Jon Burkhart, and they have three children: Emily, Joshua, and Makayla. Emily is married to Alex. In her free time, Pastor Melissa enjoys creating and viewing art, and spending time with her family and their three dogs, Remo, Jack, and Kana.