Who Are Mennonites? Mennonites are Christians, (who love Jesus, follow his teaching, live in the forgiveness he made possible, and experience the power he gives through the Holy Spirit to transform their lives). In particular, Mennonites derive from a part of the reformation known as Anabaptists or 'the radical reformation'. Discipleship, mutual support, following Jesus hard teaching on loving enemies and concern for justice and right living have been particularly important for Mennonites. Read about Dirk Willems, an Anabaptist who loved his enemy and paid with his life.   The Mennonite (Anabaptist) faith movement began in Europe in the 16th Century when a small group of believers challenged the reforms of Martin Luther and others during the Protestant Reformation, saying they were not radical enough and calling for adult rather than infant baptism. In 1525, several members set themselves apart from the official church by publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ and re-baptizing each other.   Church-state structures did not tolerate these Anabaptists or "Anabaptizers," meaning re-baptizers. Over the course of two generations, thousands were persecuted. Many met death as martyrs. In order to preserve the movement, the survivors went into hiding. From 1575 to 1850, membership grew primarily when adults passed their faith to their children.   Mennonites take their name from a priest, Menno Simons, who spent much of the 16th century travelling the Netherlands, preaching, teaching and encouraging other Anabaptists, and by God's grace escaped arrest from both Protestant and Roman Catholic authorities.     On any Sunday you will find Mennonites gathered for worship in about 60 countries around the world. With over one million members, the Mennonite church has been in existence for more than 475 years, expressing their faith in various ways and including a wide variety of people: from a Midwest farmer, to an European architect; from the African chieftain, to the South American sociologist. Although they speak dozens of languages, the thousands of different Mennonite congregations count themselves as one family of faith - one of many faith families in the Christian church. Though their streams of faith may differ, Mennonite groups hold common beliefs: Jesus Christ is central to worship and to everyday living. Behavior is to follow Christ's example. The Bible is considered the inspired word of God. Membership continues to be voluntary, with adult baptism upon declaration of faith.   For more information about Mennonites and their organisations, see the MennoLink Mennonite Information Centre, the websites of EMFK-members and in our linklist.