Western District Conference Executive Board calls on MCC to “commit to a full external investigation of all allegations”

[MAST was copied on an email from the Western District Conference Executive Board to MCC leaders. Shared here with permission]

June 26, 2025

Ann Graber Hershberger [email removed]

Executive Director of MCC US

Gilberto Perez, Jr. [email removed]

Board Chair, MCC US

MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) Steering Committee (stopmccabuse@proton.me)

Dear Ann and MCC Board Members and MAST Steering Committee Members,

Grace and peace from our Loving God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

We, the Western District Conference Executive Board, write to ask for and encourage MCC and MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) to enter into an agreed upon transparent, open process to address the serious concerns raised by MAST and its members.

We are encouraged that MCC Executive Directors commissioned Jes Stoltzfus Buller to explore how the organization might design and implement a "listening space" that would allow MCC to listen and learn from individuals who have experienced harm while working with MCC. This “listening space”, however, must be accompanied by an external accountability to have the power to investigate reports of harm or make binding recommendations about accountability for perpetrators and reparations for survivors.

We call on MCC to commit to a full external investigation of all allegations, in which the choice of firm and the mandate of the investigation are approved by the MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) steering committee. Such an investigation, we believe, should be transparent and independent, and commit to making the results of such an investigation public.

We also believe any external investigation should also review MCC HR policies and make recommendations for change. And we call for a commitment from MCC to make such changes as necessary.

We support MCC’s mission to share God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. MCC envisions communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation. This mission must also extend to all staff, service workers, and volunteers.

There are individuals and families across Western District Conference who have served with MCC, and many others provide financial support for the important work that MCC does around the world.

While their experiences have likely varied, we believe there is a strong desire within WDC for MCC to continue to thrive.

We pray that God will guide this process forward while calling for clarity and action from an organization that we all care about.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Eric Buller

WDC Moderator

WDC Executive Board:

Katherine Goerzen, Wendy Funk Schrag, Dan Kunzman, Berni Kaufman, Dave Wiebe, Gabriel Pennington, Caleb Gingerich, Lee Lever, Aurora Parchmont, Chris Becker

Heidi Regier Kreider, WDC Conference Minister

Kathy Neufeld Dunn, WDC Associate Conference Minister (KS-based)

Sandra Montes-Martinez, WDC Associate Conference Minister (TX-based)

CC: Steve Friesen, MCC Central States Board Member, appointed by WDC

Michelle Armster, MCC Central States Executive Director

Check out statistics about cases of abuse known to MAST on our home page at https://www.mccabusesurvivors.org/.

Consider joining our teal ribbon campaign. Review our list of possible additional actions at https://www.mccabusesurvivors.org/get-involved.