Menno Simons: Pioneering a Way of Peace

This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts. These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries.

Part of the Anabaptist traadition is foot washing pictured here as a way of practicing servanthood and humility.

Helping Those Who Hurt Us
Within an hour, several of the leading members of the underground Anabaptist church of Wismar gathered in Menno's home. Jan and his sisters listened to them talk.

"Why should we do anything?" asked one man. "It's not our concern that they're trapped on that ship. Menno, have you forgotten how John Lasco treated you in East Friesland?"

"No, I haven't forgotten," answered Menno. "He mistreated many of our people and we had to leave. And that was after pretending to be my friend!"

"But now they need help," said Gertrude, Menno's wife. "If the city crew won't rescue them, we must."

"If we go out there, everyone in town will know about it, and we will be in worse trouble," objected another Anabaptist. "Besides, it's extremely dangerous out on that ice and we don't have the training or the equipment."

"There are children on that ship," Menno argued. "We must help them. I understand Lasco's own children may be out there."

"All the more reason to leave them there," grumbled a serious voice. "Whether Reformed, Roman Catholic, or Lutheran--everyone is against us. Why should we help them?"

"Brothers and sisters," pleaded Menno, "what would our Lord have us do? Are we not called to show God's grace to all people, even our enemies?" His words silenced the protests, and in a few minutes all agreed to meet at the harbor with food and supplies to rescue the refugees.

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Taking the Risk
"Father, I know what to do!" exclaimed Jan as they hurried to the harbor.

"Yes, Jan, we'll rescue Lasco's people. It will place us in danger, but it's the right thing to do."

"Sure Father, but I'm talking about Derrick."

"Ahhh, Derrick, the bully," answered Menno. "Well, what have you come up with?"

"He's been treating me badly for weeks now, but I'm going to try a new tactic. I'm going to be nice to him, before he even has a chance to be mean!"

"Now you're catching on," said Menno. "Perhaps a kind word or a smile might take the wind out of his sails."

"Yes, and if that doesn't work, I'll just steer clear of him. There are plenty of other kids to play with."

Menno's smile showed Jan that he approved. "We must follow Christ's ways, Jan, even if it costs us."

Jan and Menno worked along with the other Anabaptists to rescue the Reformed Church refugees from the icy waters. At first, the refugees seemed thankful, but before long, they wanted to be accepted by the Lutherans in the town. Some of the refugees stirred up trouble for the Anabaptists, turning the town against them. Within a few months, the Anabaptists were chased from the city.

Menno Simons lived most of his life on the run because the Anabaptists were not accepted by any of the established religions. Menno taught his followers to live in peace and to serve others, even in times of difficulty or conflict. His writings helped to spread his ideas and eventually those who followed his ways became known as Mennonites. Those who helped him often paid with their lives.

Despite all the opposition they faced, the Anabaptist faith spread. Though many of Menno's followers were killed for their beliefs over the years, some of them always survived.

Today there are many denominations that come from Anabaptist roots. The Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, and Brethren in Christ are just a few.

Return to Part 1 of this Menno Simons Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin insert.