About

Ervin R. Stutzman is Executive Director for Mennonite Church USA. Before taking on this new role in January, he served for nearly 10 years as Dean and Professor of Church Ministries at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  He has also served the Mennonite Church in the roles of pastor, district overseer, missions administrator, conference moderator, and from 2001-2003, as moderator for Mennonite Church USA.  He received his Ph.D. from Temple University and holds Masters degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  His Bachelor’s degree was granted by Cincinnati Christian University.

Ervin was born into an Amish home as a twin in Kalona, Iowa.  After his father’s death a few years later, his mother moved her family to her home community in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Ervin was baptized in the Center Amish Mennonite Church near Partridge, Kansas.  Later, he joined the Yoder Mennonite Church, near Yoder, Kansas.  Ervin married Bonita Haldeman of Manheim, Pennsylvania.  Together, they served for five years with Rosedale Mennonite Missions in Cincinnati, Ohio, part of that time in voluntary service.  There Ervin was ordained to serve as co-pastor of Mennonite Christian Assembly. From there, the Stutzmans moved to Pennsylvania, where they were members of the Mount Joy Mennonite Church (Mount Joy, PA). They currently live in Harrisonburg, VA. They are members at the Park View Mennonite Church, where Ervin regularly teaches a men’s Bible study. Bonita serves as chair of the elders team.

Ervin is a preacher, a teacher, and a writer.  His publications include Being God’s People, a study for new believers, Creating Communities of the Kingdom (co-authored with David Shenk), Welcome!, a book encouraging the church to welcome new members, Tobias of the Amish, a story of his father’s life and community, and Emma, A Widow Among the Amish, the story of his mother.

Ervin enjoys doing woodworking projects in partnership with Bonita.  They have three adult children, Emma, Daniel, and Benjamin.

This site contains some general information about Ervin and his writings. To find additional information about Ervin, you may visit his Facebook page or view his blog on MC USA’s website. You may also feel free to email Ervin at Ervin_Stutzman@comcast.net