Mennonite Men has welcomed Jon Zirkle as co-director of U.S. Mennonite Men with Steve Thomas. Zirkle has been on the organization’s board for two years and involved with the work of JoinMen for men’s growth and JoinTrees for creation care.
Zirkle brings a background in agriculture, land conservation, not-for-profit leadership, environmental education and theological training. He is a member of Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind. He has a master’s degree in plant and soil science from the University of Vermont and is a recent graduate of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary with a master’s degree in Christian formation.
Zirkle will focus on the JoinMen ministry and JoinHands grantmaking for new churches. Thomas will focus on development and the JoinTrees campaign for climate action. Zirkle will also coordinate growing involvement with Indigenous justice in partnership with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery.
The arrangement was prompted by Thomas’ cancer diagnosis and successful treatment. “As a younger man, Jon will help us navigate the next stage of Mennonite Men’s ministry in MC USA,” Thomas said.
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