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Non-profit

Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN)

Website:

creationcare.org
Location:

Noblesville, IN
Tax ID:

23-2827214
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2023):

Revenue: $1,361,017
Expenses: $1,148,454
Assets: $775,944
Type:

Nominally Right-Leaning Environmentalist Nonprofit
Formation:

1993 37

References

  1. IRS determination as 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004.

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is a Pennsylvania-based advocacy group that promotes left-of-center environmentalist policies to otherwise conservative Christians. 1 2 EEN was founded in 1993 and received charitable tax-exempt status in 2004. 3 4

The former president and CEO of EEN is the Mitch Hescox. 5 Hescox described his work as messaging to Christian evangelicals concerned about climate change and other environmental issues.6 In 2012, Dr. Emilio Marrero, the Chairman of the EEN board, wrote an op-ed about an EEN campaign called What Would Jesus Drive? 7 The campaign was used to promote fuel-economy regulations. Leroy Barber, another former board member of EEN, also has stated that the very liberal city of Portland, Oregon “celebrates whiteness” and is the center of racist culture.8

The group is substantially funded by left-of-center environmentalist foundations. EEN received $1.25 million, between 2008 and 2013, from the Marisla Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Energy Foundation.9 The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Energy Foundation are funded in part by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.1011

History

Founding, Early Associations

Evangelical Environmental Network was founded in 1993 by the joint action of two organizations, the Evangelicals for Social Action (ESA) and World Vision.3 EEN has branded much of their work under the mantra of “Creation Care.” “Creation Care”, according to EEN, means stopping all activities that can be deemed harmful to the environment.12

EEN was founded by Ronald J. Sider,13 a well-known activist in the environmentalist movement.14  Ron Sider has called for socialized medicine, a carbon trading program and an increase in the minimum wage. EEN tactics have also been described as attempts to, “capitalize on the conservative commitment to ‘family values,’ (by) launch(ing) a “Healthy Families, Healthy Environment” campaign in 2001.”15

Noah’s Ark, Endangered Species Act

In 1996, EEN collaborated with World Vision and ESA to defend the Endangered Species Act from Republican-backed amendments when it was due for reauthorization. During the media campaign the then Outreach Coordinator of the ESA described the work. “(W)e circulate radio scripts to religious radio stations to highlight the activities of creation care. (We) started to look at a broad range of laws in our land that are under attack and tried to decide is there any reason why a Christian would want to voice a biblical opinion about these laws.”16

Environmental Activism

Messaging to Evangelical Conservatives

Evangelical Environmental Network claims a network of 80 evangelical organizations that work within the network to promote environmental reforms and policies to evangelical Christians. Mitch Hescox, the former president of EEN, sought to end “energy poverty” by showing the cost of energy through public health costs. Hescox has argued that because poorer populations do not have access to “sustainable” clean energy that they tend to suffer more than other populations.17

EEN uses billboards, radio, TV and emails to message environmental issues to evangelicals.18 In 2012, EEN applauded a vote on a bill in the U.S. Senate that rejected a measure to lighten mercury and air toxic standards.18 The bill would have rolled back the measures, which opponents have said could cause power plants to shut down and reliability of the power grid to suffer.19

In EEN’s push for more stringent environmental regulations and policies they attempt to center the advocacy around the message of “Creation Care.” The effort by EEN is also to get environmental advocacy away from generally more liberal demographics.20 EEN has promoted campaigns like “Healthy Families, Health Environment” and “What Would Jesus Drive.”15 EEN also tailors environmental advocacy as a “pro-life” issue. In 2014, EEN distributed a signature petition in Florida to convince then-Governor Rick Scott (R) to act on global warming because of his “pro-life” stance.21

In 2017, Hescox, working with the Partnership for Responsible Growth, ran a series of TV ads advocating putting a price on carbon emissions.22 Critics have stated this would in fact hurt the poorest populations by increasing the price of basic energy needs like power, water and fuel.23

Political Association with Democratic Activities

While over the past few years Mitch Hescox has tried to distance EEN from traditional Democratic policy stances (even calling the Sierra Club “a bunch of weirdos”)24, EEN is directly connected to Democratic operatives used to message policies to Democratic demographics. On EEN’s 2014 tax returns, it reported spending $138,00025 on “Media Consulting” with Devine Mulvey Longabaugh, which describes itself as a “Democratic media consulting firm.”26

Devine Mulvey Longabaug (DML) can be found on the Democratic National Committee’s preferred “Supplier Diversity List.”27 DML also lists former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)28 as clients. DML also represents the League of Conservation Voters, which was founded by David Brower, the Sierra Club’s first executive director.29

In 2024, former EEN head Jim Ball founded Evangelicals for Harris, a political advocacy group that encouraged evangelical Christians to vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. 30

Opposition To Second Trump Administration

In August 2025, EEN President and CEO Jessica Moerman released a statement opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPAs) cancellation of the Solar for All program that subsidized the installation of weather-dependent energy systems. The statement read “Canceling the Solar for All program would take away the opportunity for 900,000 low-income households to find financial relief and greater self-sufficiency through home-grown solar energy.” 31

In October 2025, EEN released a statement criticizing the U.S. Congress after it failed to pass a continuing resolution (CR) appropriating short-term government funding to avert a government shutdown. The group specifically criticized government agencies for being closed, arguing the shutdown “creates harm and uncertainty for families, businesses, and agencies across the country.”  32 The  statement continued by claiming “As evangelical Christians who care about the health and wellbeing of all God’s children and creation, we call on Congress to work together to pass necessary legislation without cutting essential provisions that defend God’s creation and the future of our communities.” 32

On December 1, 2025, EEN’s Facebook page released a statement criticizing the EPA’s decision to delay the deadline for oil and gas companies to implement new safeguards intended to reduce methane emissions. The statement by EEN President and CEO Jessica Moerman read, “Instead of ‘making America healthy again,’ as promised by this administration, today’s decision by the EPA to delay protections against methane pollution will make American families sicker, poorer, and less safe.”  33

Leadership

Jessica Moerman is the president and CEO of EEN. As of 2026 she is also on the board of the National Association of Evangelicals as well as the co-founding pastor of her church in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 34

Mitch Hescox is the former president and CEO of the EEN and holds the title of president emeritus as of 2026. He is a consultant and a pastor. Prior to EEN, he worked as a member of the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals and as a member of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He also worked as a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Citizen Advisory Council and the Board of Reference for the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions.  34

Phil Covert is the chair of the board for EEN as of 2026. A retired United Methodist Church pastor, Rev. Covert was previously a Chaplain to the Reserve Mobile Seabees Battalion 19 of the United States Naval Reserves.  35

Financials

According to the EEN’s 2024 tax returns, the group had $1,625,321 in revenue, $1,118,625 in expenses, and $1,274,394 in assets. 36 That same year, the group paid president and CEO Jessica Moerman $112,237 and former president and CEO Mitch Hescox $130,495 in total compensation. 36

References

  1. “Evangelical Environmental Network .” We2o.org. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://we2o.org/charity/evangelical-environmental-network.
  2. Jeffery Smith. “Evangelical Christians preach a green gospel.” High Country News. April 28, 1997. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.hcn.org/issues/108/3395.
  3. “The Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale.” Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) | Engaged Projects | Christianity | Religion | Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://fore.yale.edu/religion/christianity/projects/evangelical_envt/.
  4. LLC, CitizenAudit.org. CitizenAudit.org – EVANGELICAL ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://www.citizenaudit.org/organization/232827214/EVANGELICALENVIRONMENTALNETWORK/.
  5. “Evangelical Environmental Network Staff.” Evangelical Environmental Network. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.creationcare.org/staff.
  6. Pathé, Simone. “Evangelicals Make Environmental Issues About ‘Caring for God’s Creation'” Roll Call. December 01, 2015. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.rollcall.com/news/home/ahead-paris-climate-talks-evangelical-environmentalists-wage-fight-home.
  7. Op-Ed, PennLive. “We should embrace higher fuel standards.” PennLive.com. August 23, 2012. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2012/08/we_should_embrace_higher_fuel.html.
  8. Oregonian/OregonLive, Melissa Binder | The. “Portland is racist and white Christians need to get involved, faith leaders say.” OregonLive.com. February 22, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.oregonlive.com/faith/2016/02/portland_has_a_race_problem_an.html.
  9. “Millions spent to sell evangelicals on ‘climate change'” OneNewsNow.com. June 21, 2015. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://www.onenewsnow.com/church/2015/06/21/millions-spent-to-sell-evangelicals-on-climate-change.
  10. “William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Grants.” Grants. 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.hewlett.org/grants/?search=Rockefeller&search_year=2016&search_program=21943.
  11. “William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Grants.” Grants. 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. “William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Grants.” Grants. 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.hewlett.org/grants/?search=Rockefeller&search_year=2016&search_program=21943.
  12. “Why Creation Care Matters.” Evangelical Environmental Network. March 22, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://creationcare2015.wordpress.com/creation-care-resources/why-creation-care.matters/.
  13. [1] Larsen, Richard, Phd. “Evangelical Environmental Network.” Evangelical Environmental Network – Christianity – Larsen. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://users.clas.ufl.edu/bron/PDF–Christianity/Larsen–EvangelicalEnviroNetwork.pdf.
  14. Swartz, David. “Ron sider: Pioneer of the Evangelical Left.” Anxious Bench. July 09, 2013. Accessed June 14, 2017. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2013/07/ron-sider-pioneer-of-the-evangelical-left/.
  15. Larsen, Richard, Phd. “Evangelical Environmental Network.” Evangelical Environmental Network – Christianity – Larsen. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://users.clas.ufl.edu/bron/PDF–Christianity/Larsen–EvangelicalEnviroNetwork.pdf.
  16. “Reverend Stan LeQuire Talks About The Evangelical Environmental Network.” Welcome to Environmental Review – Archives – 2004. June 1996. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.environmentalreview.org/archives/vol03/lequire.html.
  17. Hescox, Mitchell. “A Discussion with Reverend Mitchell Hescox.” Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs. August 29, 2012. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-reverend-mitchell-hescox.
  18. Hescox, Mitch. “Congress Stops Subsidizing the Utility Industry with Children’s Health.” Sojourners. June 20, 2012. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://sojo.net/articles/congress-stops-subsidizing-utility-industry-children-s-health.
  19. “Potential Reliability Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan.” North American Electric Reliability Corporation. November 2014. Accessed June 13, 2017. ntial Reliability Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan.
  20. Dallas, Kelsey. “Evangelical Christian pastors frame environmentalism in religious terms.” Effingham Herald. October 23, 2014. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.effinghamherald.net/archives/28785/.
  21. Valentine, Katie. “Evangelical Group: Climate Change Is A ‘Pro-Life’ Issue.” ThinkProgress. May 20, 2014. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://thinkprogress.org/evangelical-group-climate-change-is-a-pro-life-issue-9fdd2677d04b.
  22. Beemer, Carolyn. “How to get the conservative climate message to Trump? Put it on TV.” Public Radio International. May 1, 2017. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-05-01/how-get-conservative-climate-message-trump-put-it-tv.
  23. Lomborg, Bjorn. “How green policies hurt the poor.” The Spectator. April 03, 2014. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://www.spectator.co.uk/2014/04/let-them-eat-carbon-credits/.
  24. Root, Tik. “How an evangelical movement could push Washington to tackle global warming.” Newsweek. May 27, 2016. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/03/18/creation-care-evangelical-christianity-climate-change-434865.html.
  25. “Form 990 – Evangelical Environmental Network.” Guidestar.org FORM 990 – Evangelical Environmental Network. Accessed June 13, 2017.
  26. “About.” Devine Mulvey Longabaugh. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://dmlmessage.com/about/.
  27. “DNC Supplier Diversity List.” Democrats.org. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://directory.democrats.org/devine-mulvey-longabaugh/.
  28. “Clients.” Devine Mulvey Longabaugh. Accessed June 13, 2017. http://dmlmessage.com/clients/.
  29. “Who Was David Brower.” The David Brower Center. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://browercenter.org/about/who-was-david-brower/.
  30. Ludwig, Hayden. “‘evangelicals for Harris’ Is Astroturf.” The American Conservative, September 13, 2024. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/evangelicals-for-harris-is-astroturf/. 
  31. Moerman, Jessica. “The EPA Threatens to Cancel ‘Solar for All’ Program That Would Lower Energy Bills for Families.” Evangelical Environmental Network, August 6, 2025. https://creationcare.org/news-blog/newsroom.html/article/2025/08/06/the-epa-threatens-to-cancel-solar-for-all-program-that-would-lower-energy-bills-for-families. 
  32. Garcia, Lindsay, Tori Goebel, and Jessica Moerman. “Government Shutdown Creates Harm and Uncertainty for Families, Businesses, and Agencies Across the Country.” Evangelical Environmental Network, October 1, 2025. https://creationcare.org/news-blog/newsroom.html/article/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-creates-harm-and-uncertainty-for-families-businesses-and-agencies-across-the-country. 
  33. “Evangelical Environmental Network.” Facebook, December 1, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/eencreationcare/posts/pfbid02aEiNRqp4xNqK6bXdikAR3Eb1WeUX8CDJLya6RSVkVcrThFxgSP852wDmKxD1BKdJl. 
  34. “Our Team.” Evangelical Environmental Network. Accessed January 19, 2026. https://creationcare.org/who-we-are/team.html. 
  35. “Een Board.” Evangelical Environmental Network. Accessed January 19, 2026. https://creationcare.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors.html. 
  36. “Evangelical Environmental Network, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 19, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/232827214/202530939349300503/full. 
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 2004

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2023 Jun Form 990 $1,361,017 $1,148,454 $775,944 $8,246 N $1,322,993 $0 $14,091 $142,673 PDF
    2022 Jun Form 990 $1,162,218 $887,135 $536,860 $12,829 N $1,162,028 $0 $170 $128,570 PDF
    2021 Jun Form 990 $852,039 $836,752 $335,160 $84,380 N $851,877 $0 $162 $127,788 PDF
    2020 Jun Form 990 $252,575 $294,106 $314,152 $78,659 N $252,156 $0 $229 $67,732 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $793,572 $577,823 $281,455 $4,431 N $793,318 $0 $181 $133,122 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $611,551 $559,233 $69,494 $8,219 N $609,714 $0 $0 $127,895 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $629,975 $582,456 $25,350 $16,393 N $629,768 $0 $0 $134,792 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $497,026 $621,186 $27,759 $66,120 N $496,962 $0 $59 $101,598 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $778,678 $669,358 $105,715 $19,916 N $778,676 $0 $2 $118,938 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $948,968 $957,054 $12,883 $36,404 N $948,838 $122 $8 $126,090 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $531,470 $547,010 $5,126 $20,561 N $530,704 $744 $22 $109,348 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $848,769 $897,763 $12,955 $12,850 N $848,213 $535 $21 $86,769 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $631,255 $783,007 $85,710 $36,611 N $628,946 $2,228 $81 $82,492 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN)

    9365 COUNSELORS ROW STE 200
    Noblesville, IN 46240-6418