The History of Anabaptists
Origins
The name Mennonite originates from an influential Anabaptist leader in Holland named Menno Simons (1496–1561).
Anabaptist Origins in the 1500s
The Mennonites were originally called Anabaptists. This movement began in Switzerland in the early 1500s as a response to the Protestant Reformation. It was fundamentally a return to the simplicity of life and doctrine of the early Christian Church, most notably emphasizing Believer’s Baptism (re-baptizing adults who confessed faith). The movement quickly spread to Germany and Holland.
Persecution and Global Migration
The Anabaptists were severely persecuted in Europe by both the Catholic Church and the emerging Protestant Churches. Many times, public executions were carried out in the cruelest manner.
Persecution spurred the Anabaptists to migrate
Persecution spurred the Anabaptists to migrate, first into Russia and then extensively to the New World (the Americas). Today, many people in North and South America called Mennonites or Amish trace their roots to this movement.
The Modern Expression
The movement has since fragmented into different groups. Some Mennonite groups have, for all practical purposes, joined the mainline Protestant churches. Others have remained very old-fashioned in their lifestyle, rejecting modern conveniences such as the vehicle (like the Amish).
This website is maintained by a Mennonite group
who has retained Bible teaching while accepting and adapting modern conveniences.
Conservative Mennonites attempt to remain free of worldly expressions while relating to the modern world.