After serving churches in New Jersey, Iowa and Colorado, Rev. Nathan S. Busker returned to the Garden State as the senior pastor of Ponds Reformed Church in 2004. His passion is seeing the church be a more faithful participant in God’s mission to the world. In 2007 Pastor Nathan received his Doctor of Ministry in Metro Urban Ministry from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. His dissertation was “Real Room to Chat: Creating Informal Public Space as Mission.” Since then, he has been leading the church in ways to create space where people can gather to find community, support and explore faith in today’s world.  

Under Pastor Nathan’s leadership, Ponds has been active in the community by resettling refugees, supporting immigrants, running the local area’s food pantry, hosting Community Table and hosting PRIDE events each year. In March 2025 he traveled to Lebanon where he is facilitating a relationship between the Classis of Passaic Valley and the Union of the Evangelical Church in Lebanon. In May he journeyed with the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace to Israel and Palestine to meet with Palestinians and Israelis working for a just peace. 

Pastor Nathan enjoys travel having been to 31 countries. He is a linguaphile and a motorcycle enthusiast. Throughout the year Pastor Nathan can be found trudging through the mud or climbing a wall in a Spartan Race. He is married to Kara. They have four adult children.

Rev. Deborah Pierce (Pastor Debbie) grew up at nearby Pompton Reformed Church, a daughter church of Ponds, where her gifts for ministry were recognized early—teaching Sunday School at 13, writing curriculum in high school, and serving as both Deacon and Elder in her 20s.

Though she once imagined herself as a minister’s wife rather than the minister, God’s persistent call led her to New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where she discovered that pastoral ministry was exactly what she was created to do.

Debbie first joined the staff of Ponds in 2014 as Director of Christian Education while attending seminary and was later called to continue at Ponds as Associate Minister for Education upon her ordination.

She also serves as solo pastor of Pequannock Reformed Church in Wayne and as Stated Clerk for the Passaic Valley Classis. Debbie’s particular passion is pastoral counseling, and she hopes to pursue a Doctor of Ministry in that field. When she’s not working, Debbie enjoys time with her nearby family—her parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephews—as well as her close friends.

Matthew Harder is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator in Northern New Jersey. Matthew received his Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Education from Ramapo College in May of 2025 where he studied vocal performance under the direction of Dr. Lisa Lutter.

He is currently the music teacher and choir/band director at Saddle Brook’s Franklin Elementary school and teaches private music lessons all over northern NJ. Matthew is also currently completing his Master’s Degree in Special Education at Ramapo College. He volunteers as a choir director for individuals with developmental exceptionalities. 

As the music director at the Ponds Reformed Church, Matthew is passionate about encouraging ALL people to make a joyful noise while singing and worshipping our God together.

Matthew leads the worship music each week from the piano, organ, and/or guitar and enjoys playing a combination of traditional hymns as well as contemporary worship songs every Sunday. Matthew also works with the church’s choir to prepare them to sing for holidays and special events in the life of the church. Matthew is grateful to be a part of the Ponds Reformed Church, a place where all are welcome and encouraged to share their gifts and serve God.

Michele is a mom of two very active 8- and 10-year-old girls, Melody and Aria. Along with her husband Jason, and girls, they love going on cruises and traveling to Disney World. Michele loves to sing. She sings in a local choir, NJCS (New Jersey Choral Society), and occasionally at worship services at Ponds.

In working part-time as the office administrator at Ponds Church, she finds fulfillment in living out the mission of the church and participating in an extremely supportive work environment. Michele loves talking to people and trying to help in any way possible. The active ministry at Ponds is enlightening, and inspiring. Michele hopes to help portray and emanate the passion for this ministry in her day to day work life at Ponds, and within the community.

Michele’s passion to serve others started while volunteering at a hospital in Allentown, PA during high school. That experience along with a marketing degree led her to a career in healthcare sales for 30 years. Rediscovering her passion to serve others, Michele made a life change and became the Director for Food Security Programs at Ponds Reformed Church where she oversees the Food Pantry and Community Table Dinners. 

She loves spending time with pantry guests, volunteers, and the wonderful people in the greater Oakland community. “It is fun and uplifting to see God at work as we collaborate and brainstorm new ways to help others, up and above the food we provide,” states Michele.

Her husband and she have lived in Ringwood since 2002. Together they have three children. Their oldest son attends Fairfield University and will be studying abroad in Florence, Italy next year.

Their ten-year-old miracle twins brings them joy and keep them on their toes. Michele is uplifted by listening to contemporary Christian music with her children, and loves going to concerts with her daughter such as Mercy Me, Zack Williams, and Crowder.  Michele is a member of Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA), where she teaches Sunday school, serves on the church council, and is involved in social ministries.