Anabaptists around the world are gearing up to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement in 2025. To mark this historic occasion, MennoMedia’s Anabaptism at 500 project has announced the creation of a commemorative story book that will capture the diverse and inspiring stories of Anabaptist witness from around the globe.
The book aims to document and celebrate the various creative expressions of Anabaptist faith and its impact on individuals and communities worldwide. Project leaders are currently seeking photos and story ideas that showcase inspiring initiatives that embody the Anabaptist values of peace, justice, discipleship, and community.
Some examples of the stories that have already been collected for this project include:
- A congregation that created specialized teams to help its members reduce consumer debt, promoting financial freedom and stewardship within the community.
- The construction of an inclusive playground by a forward-thinking congregation, providing a safe and welcoming space for children of all abilities to play and learn together.
- A breathtaking mural used as a visual aid during Amish baptismal classes, offering a vibrant representation of the transformative power of baptism and faith.
- An innovative solution to a drought in Ethiopia, where a barrel filled with water served as a makeshift baptismal tank, symbolizing rebirth and renewal in challenging circumstances.
- A Bible conference in Myanmar that taught young adults the principles of nonviolence and peacemaking in the midst of ongoing conflict, empowering them to become agents of change and reconciliation.
Anabaptism at 500 is seeking more stories. Project leaders are eager to include a wide range of experiences and perspectives from Anabaptist communities worldwide.
In particular, they encourage submissions from areas outside of the Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Ontario regions to ensure a truly global representation.
The project’s leaders invite individuals, congregations, organizations and communities to submit their story ideas to be considered for inclusion in the book. These stories can be both large-scale projects and small, personal testimonies that illustrate the transformative power of Anabaptist faith.
“The aim of this book is to weave together a tapestry of stories that showcases ways in which Anabaptist values have been embodied and lived out across different cultures and contexts,” said John Roth, project director. “We hope these stories will inspire readers to find creative expressions of their faith as they follow Jesus in their own communities.”
Submissions should include a brief description of the story idea, along with up to three vivid photographs that document the creative expressions of Anabaptist witness.
The deadline for submissions is Aug. 30, 2023. Submissions can be sent to MolleeM@MennoMedia.org or uploaded at anabaptismat500.com/submit-a-photo-and-story.
For more information about Anabaptism at 500, including submission guidelines and project updates, visit AnabaptismAt500.com.
Related articles:
Planning a people’s Bible
Anabaptism at 500 announces advisory group members
John D. Roth, project director of Anabaptism at 500. (Jace Longenecker photo for MennoMedia)
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