Jeffrey Eaton came to Emanuel to be pastor in June of 1987. He had previously been the chaplain at Hamilton College and a professor in the Religion Department. 

In conjunction with his role as pastor, he is a founding member of the Board of Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, and immediate past President of the Board of Middlesex Interfaith Partners with the Homeless, which operates transitional housing for homeless families. 

He is the author of numerous publications and has been a fellow of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton.