Testimonies of contemporary Anabaptist witness
Faith in Full Color: A Tapestry of Anabaptist Stories
by Jeanne Zimmerly Yantzi
A church begins a nonprofit to assist single mothers in their neighborhood. A baptism takes place in a barrel during a drought in a war-torn country. An urban congregation creates an intentional community of asylum seekers. Published in conjunction with the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist Christian faith, Faith in Full Color introduces readers to a tapestry of creative expressions of contemporary Anabaptist witness in the world.
This book showcases the intersection of faith and life, showing how congregations, faith communities, and individuals express their faith. Together, these stories written and compiled by Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi and accompanied by a diverse collection of photos address where we have been and, more importantly, where we are going as Anabaptist Christians: Where do we see God at work in our lives today? How have we seen God’s faithful presence in diverse Anabaptist communities? And what does God desire of the Anabaptist movement for the next 500 years?
The stories and voices in these pages offer wise, inspiring, forward-looking counsel as we celebrate our shared faith and glimpse God at work among us.
Devotionals
Drawing Near: A Devotional Journey with Art, Poetry, and Reflection
edited by Eileen Kinch and John D. Roth
Allow the Spirit to stir your soul
Amid busy lives, Drawing Near invites you to slow down, to pause and ponder, and to explore the creative edges of your faith. This unique devotional brings together 40 stunning original artworks that illustrate a particular biblical text or story. Each image is paired with its related scripture text and an original poem by a contemporary Anabaptist writer, along with questions or prompts for further reflection and space for your creative response.
The 40 scripture texts, illustrations, and poems provide a starting point. But the biblical passage will come alive in surprising ways as you gaze at the image and allow the Holy Spirit to disrupt the text through the evocative power of art and the surprising insights of well-crafted poems.
This devotional includes plenty of white space for your own response to the Spirit’s nudging—whether your own reflections, doodles, drawings, or poetry. A perfect gift that will engage people of faith, seekers, and creative souls of every age. Savor the art; reflect on the poetry; allow the Spirit to stir your soul.
Footsteps of Faith: A Global Anabaptist Devotional
edited by John D. Roth
A global testimony of faith
The 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025 gives the church a unique opportunity to look back and live forward. Throughout its long history, the Anabaptist movement has centered on Scripture, discipleship, and reconciliation—with a strong focus on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But we have also expressed our faith in many different ways across a range of cultural contexts.
This 30-day devotional, edited by author and historian John D. Roth, draws on insights from Anabaptist church leaders from around the globe and expands the vision of what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus today. Daily readings from Scripture, combined with devotional reflections and inspiring testimonies, challenge readers to deeper forms of discipleship. Hear from this vibrant communion of saints all around the world living the faith and challenging the status quo.
Children’s books
Stitched Together
by Aimee Reid, illustrated by Kate Cosgrov
Every stitch tells a story
Stitched Together invites readers to journey with the narrator as she pursues a secret wish—to add a square to her church’s special anniversary quilt. She ponders the faith practices of her church community that are important to her and learns from her grandmother’s quilting circle about the history of their faith. Together with her church community, the young girl discovers the rich tapestry of stories woven into each quilt square and the power of shared stories. Stitched Together is a delightful tale of tradition, friendship, and the joy of making something meaningful together.
This book celebrates the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. A church’s anniversary quilting project allows readers to discover Anabaptists from around the world today. With illustrations by award-winning artist Kate Cosgrove and text by beloved children’s author Aimee Reid, this picture book invites intergenerational reading—with older members of congregations and families sharing their memories with those who are younger. And it makes space for the voices of those who will become the new leaders of the Anabaptist tradition. Suggested reading for ages 5–9.
Sparking Peace
by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky and Hannah Martin, illustrated by Gabhor Utomo
Broken into beautiful. A story of friendship and healing.
After breaking a neighbor’s window, a young child discovers friendship, transformation, and new beginnings in an unlikely story of peace. Gentle and moving, this poetic tale offers readers a hopeful path in the face of gun violence and despair, showing kids how peacemaking can turn conflict into friendship and new beginnings—and forge guns into garden tools.
Children grow up with lockdowns and gun violence as part of their reality. As parents, caregivers, and educators, how should we respond? Sparking Peace provides a springboard for those seeking to discuss gun violence and trauma with children in a safe way that highlights help rather than harm. This picture book helps children learn about conflict while also carefully addressing gun violence and peacemaking. It includes resources that equip parents and educators to talk about gun violence and trauma, using a story of a broken window to show kids how conflict can be transformed through acts of peace. Suggested reading for ages 5–9.
A Light to Share: Stories of Spreading Love and Changing the World
by Natalie Frisk, illustrated by María Diaz Perera
Share your light with the world.
Hey. Hey you! Yes, you! I’ve got a question for you:
Have you ever gotten a really great present from someone who loves you?
And then . . . you realize that if you share that gift, it is even better than you thought?
Author Natalie Frisk introduces 12 Jesus followers who discovered their gifts and shared them with the world. These inspirational figures—from history through today—all found strength in their Anabaptist faith.
Some used their gift to share about Jesus through preaching, peace clubs, and podcasts. One person used her love of biology to teach others about the amazing world that God created.
With vivid, compelling art by María Diaz Perera, the Anabaptist stories of Conrad Grebel, Helena von Freyberg, Christoph Sauer, Tunggul Wulung, Anna Mow, Edna Ruth Byler, Alta Schrock, Lawrence Homer Hart / Sky Chief, Paulus Hartono, Issa Ebombolo, Kate Bowler, and Drew G. I. Hart come to life!
When we discover our gifts from God, it is like a light flips on inside us. This light can change the world! Suggested reading for ages 5–9.
A new history of the Anabaptist movement
Radicals and Reformers: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History
by Troy Osborne
With Bibles and baptism, a movement was born.
From renegade gatherings of Christian believers in the 1500s to a global communion of more than 2.1 million members, the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement has been marked by faithfulness and failure, continuity and conflict, radicalism and reformation. In this engaging history, Radicals and Reformers traces the origins and development of the Anabaptist and Mennonite movements from their beginnings in Europe through their spread across the globe.
In this new authoritative introduction to Anabaptist history, historian Troy Osborne reflects on the ways that Anabaptists have defined their identity in new settings and in response to new theological, intellectual, geographic, and political contexts. Drawing from current scholarship and a range of written and visual sources, this book provides an overview of how Mennonites from Zurich to Zimbabwe have adapted to or resisted the world around them.
A revised catechism for those exploring baptism or church membership
Finding Ourselves in God's Story: Exploring Christian Faith and Life
by Michele Hershberger
Why is the church so important to God? What’s really going on in the Bible? How can I make sense of my life?
Finding Ourselves in God’s Story invites readers to join a conversation that covers questions about faith. It introduces Christian faith from an Anabaptist perspective and puts readers in touch with two stories that Christians are constantly hearing and telling. First, there is the Bible’s story of God working to restore us—and all of creation—to wholeness. The center of this story is Jesus Christ, who lived, died, rose, and still lives—for us. The second story involves our own lives today. How do we connect with God’s story? Where is God working in our lives? What will we do with Jesus’ invitation to follow him?
This book addresses the pressing questions and concerns that today’s youth bring to their faith. Drawing on direct, honest discussions with Mennonite teenagers, young adults, and pastors, this guide engages groups in the conversations that matter most as it leads readers deeper into a faith that can become their own as they consider baptism or church membership.
Salt & Light curriculum
Winter 2024–25—focused on core Anabaptist texts
We Follow Jesus by Jacob Lee coincides with the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism, commemorated by the first baptism of adults on January 21, 1525. We Follow Jesus is a study of Scripture texts that are foundational to our Anabaptist interpretation of the Bible. These studies provide an excellent opportunity for congregations to teach Anabaptist theology and practice for our time with youth and adults. Available in English and Spanish.
Seguimos a Jesús de Jacob Lee coincide con el 500 aniversario del anabautismo, conmemorado por el primer bautismo de adultos el 21 de enero de 1525. Seguimos a Jesús es un estudio de los textos de las Escrituras que son fundamentales para nuestra interpretación anabautista de la Biblia. Estos estudios brindan una excelente oportunidad para que las congregaciones enseñen la teología anabautista y la practiquen para nuestro tiempo con jóvenes y adultos. Disponible en inglés y español.
