The stories of 15 Anabaptist martyrs are retold by Dave and Neta Jackson from Martyrs Mirror. These stories, including those of Michael Sattler, Elizabeth Dirks, and Dirk Willems, reflect a cross-section of the thousands of men and women who lost their lives because of their faith during the 16th century. The storytelling perspective varies: sometimes from the martyr’s point of view or that of a friend or relative, sometimes that of a child or bystander—or even the executioner or betrayer. The martyrs come alive through these stories and their witness for Christ inspires us. Discussion questions focus on present-day meaning making this a valuable tool for study groups.

On Fire For Christ: Stories of Anabaptist Martyrs

Jackson, Neta

Jackson, Dave

Biographies & Memoirs

MennoMedia

Take Our Moments and Our Days is a four-week cycle of morning and evening prayer services prepared for the period in the church year between Pentecost and Advent. The services focus on the teaching and ministry of Jesus: the Lord's Prayer (week one), the Beatitudes (week two), Jesus' parables (week three), and Jesus' miracles (week four). The prayer services are designed for use by small groups of families, although they are suitable for individuals as well.

Take Our Moments # 1: An Anabaptist Prayer Book: Ordinary Time

Religion & Spirituality

Boers, Arthur

Christian Books & Bibles

Through Don't Be Afraid children will learn how God's hope shined bright when things were most difficult for some real people who lived through troubling times. Each chapter includes questions, a prayer and an acitivity. By Rebecca Seiling and Cindy Snider. For ages 9 to 12. 36 Pages.

Don't Be Afraid: Stories of Christians in Times of Trouble

Children's Books

Seiling, Rebecca

Snider, Cindy

Religions

Through Kids Can Live Upside-Down, kids will learn that when they live upside-down, the world will look different! Jesus had an upside-down mission and did not follow the goals of other kings. In God's kingdom, Jesus calls us to serve others, accept God's forgiveness, worship God sincerely, and love our enemies. Kids will see situations as God does, and work toward a just, peaceful, and loving world where all people are welcomed and cared for. 100 Pages.

Kids Can Live Upside-Down

Ten lively sessions invite children in grades 1-5 to speak up for God! Using characters from the Old and New Testaments, children will learn about those who have spoken boldly and shared the ways of God with others. Each session includes gathering and singing, Bible story and discussion, hands-on crafts and activities, and games related to the theme. Also included are ideas for opening and closing activities, memory verses, snacks, and additional resources. 88 Pages.

Kids Can Speak Up

We draw closer to God when we spend time with the Word. This Bible study and devotional series explores specific books of the Bible from an Anabaptist perspective. Each session takes adult groups or individuals through study, discussion, and reflection before ending with seven short devotionals. Also included are leader suggestions if used in a group setting. Spend time With the Word through this eight-session study on Genesis! 56 Pages.

With the Word: Genesis

How does your congregation understand church leadership? What are the shared understandings about how to work with the various levels of leadership? What are theological and ethical understandings of how to call leaders? how can leaders faithfully lead? Building upon the work A Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership (1996), this resource frames the task of leadership through a missional lens in order to more fully become the church God is calling us to be. It reflects biblical roots and Anabaptist theology through contemporary expressions of best practices and shared understandings of church leadership. This is an effective tool for leadership training or church-wide discussion. 80 Pages.

A Shared Understanding of Leadership

Fewer than one hundred people have joined the Old Order Amish and stayed since 1950. Marlene C. Miller is one of them. In this rare memoir, Marlene recounts her unhappy and abusive childhood, how she throws herself into cheerleading and marching band, and how she falls in love with Johnny, the gentle young Amish man who helps her lace her ice skates. Against the wishes of both sets of parents, Marlene and Johnny get married and begin a family. Follow the author on this unusual journey to find out how God s love called her out of bitterness and depression and into the warm embrace of her new Amish community. Accompany her as she dons an Amish dress and prayer covering and gets baptized. Learn how she endures the strain of ten children, a hundred-acre farm, and accidents and tragedy, and find out how she comes close to walking away from it all. Turning Amish has proven to be anything but plain and simple for this former majorette. But nearly fifty years later, Marlene is still living out God's call as an Old Order Amish woman.

Called to Be Amish: My Journey from Head Majorette to the Old Order (Plainspoken)

Miller, Marlene C

Parenting & Relationships

Breakaway Amish: Growing Up with the Bergholz Beard Cutters

I am the grandson of Bishop Sam Mullet, who was arrested for the Amish beard-cutting attacks. This is my story. 
Beard-cutting attacks on Amish people in the middle of the night. Five incidents. Nine victims. How could members of a Christian tradition known for peace and forgiveness enact such violence? What could make members of one Amish group turn against other Amish? In Breakaway Amish, Johnny Mast tells in riveting detail how his Amish community became increasingly isolated from other Amish people, and how the wishes and edicts of his grandfather, Bishop Sam Mullet, overtook daily life in the group. Over time, members became convinced that cutting their own hair was a sign of repentance and remorse. When that conviction led them to cut off the beards of those outside their community, however, it was more than a strange religious ritual. It was a crime.
Here is an eyewitness account of the disturbing events at Bergholz, an Amish community gone awry. Yet redemption dwells even here, in the bravery and conviction of one who chose to break free.

Mast, Johnny

Leaders & Notable People

Faith Travels: Trusting God in Life's Transitions

Marlene Kropf

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