Our Team

Joseph Harder, Program Assistant

  • A 2020 graduate from EMU, Joseph studied the environment through both independent and curricular learning, incorporating a semester at the Oregon Extension and a cross-cultural program in India into his education. Joseph started his time at ACC as a Climate Futures Fellow, conducting research on the ethical implications of environmental expressions in U.S. Mennonite hymnody. He has since transitioned into the Program Assistant position, carrying out administrative tasks and leading ACC’s student programs.

Anna Ruth Hershberger, Interim Advancement Director

  • She was ACC's Advancement Director in 2020 and stepped down to raise her daughter. Now she energetically returns as Interim Advancement Director. She has development experience with various non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Church Community Services, AMBS and enjoys the creative and relational challenges of fundraising, which she views as pastoral work. Anna Ruth is grateful to be connected with people who care deeply about one of the most important issues of our time.

Doug Kaufman, Executive Director

  • Doug first became passionate about creation care during his 23 years as a pastor at Benton Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN. As they were preparing to baptize new members in the Elkhart River, they discovered that the health department did not recommend contact with the water, because it would become compromised with too much manure. This began a journey for him and the congregation. He started a Hoosier Riverwatch group in the congregation and discovered just how much the Bible talks about God’s care for rivers and all the more-than-human creation. In their pursuit of watershed discipleship, they began a green group, organized river cleanups, installed solar panels, added recycling, and became a Green Patchwork congregation with Mennonite Creation Care Network. The congregational vision includes “pursuing God’s peace at the river.” As Doug pursued a Th.M. in theology and ecology at the University of Toronto, he was invited to become director of pastoral ecology at ACC’s predecessor. In this role he developed pastoral retreats on climate change, and has engaged the broader Anabaptist community, ecumenical churches, and interfaith groups. There he advocates for pastoral approaches to climate change that includes pastoral care, worship, practical and political action. He studied at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, and Goshen College. He is also trained as an Indiana Master Naturalist. He previously served as a conference minister with the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. Oh, and during covid he converted his backyard from a church parking lot to a native rain garden, lawn, and vegetable garden.