ALLENSVILLE — This year, all over the world, people will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in various ways.

Anabaptist is a Greek term meaning “rebaptizer.” The people of this faith believed that the Christian needed to make their own choice to follow Jesus and then be baptized.

The early state churches had the practice of infant baptism, however, anabaptist did not consider this valid, as they believed babies could not make the choice to follow Christ.

The Anabaptist faith and practice emphasizes the life and way of Jesus. His commands and example are the foundation of the faith. One of the most defining doctrines of Anabaptism is non-resistance, the practice of returning good for evil. Anabaptist were heavily persecuted in the early years but they did not take up arms against their persecutors, instead they blessed them.

“I think it’s important for us to be reminded of who we are,” shared Pastor Adam Peachey of Allensville Mennonite Church. “To understand the persecution that many endured as a result of their choice to practice their faith in this way, through peace and non resistance, with an emphasis on Jesus and the believers’ baptism.”

Locally, the Mifflin County Mennonite Historical Society and Allensville Mennonite Church partnered to bring an event of special services the weekend of May 16 to May 18.

The weekend will feature four services: “The Early Beginnings” on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m.; “Living and Dying in Faith” on May 27 at 7 p.m.; “Hopeful Journeys” on May 18 at 9:15 a.m. and “Anabaptism in the 21st Century: How Does it Speak to the Brokenness of the World Today” at 10:40 a.m., also on May 18.

For this momentous celebration, the executive director of the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin, Ohio, Marcus Yoder, will be a special guest speaker at the services.

Yoder was born to an Amish family in Holmes County, Ohio. His family later moved to the Mennonite Church where Marcus takes an active role in storytelling, teaching and writing. In addition to being the executive director of the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center and the Ohio Amish Library in Berlin Ohio, he is the author of “Cathedrals, Castles and Caves,” a book about early Amish and Mennonite beginnings.

According to a press release, Mr. Yoder’s dedication to the preservation of Amish and Mennonite culture stems from the deep roots and an abiding respect and admiration for the local community, and the bonds that form within it.

“I see this event as an opportunity for the churches in the valley to be reminded of and learn about the history that formed the foundation of many of the beliefs and practices we have today,” Peachey said. “If we don’t know where we have come from we will quickly lose who we are going forward. Our ancestors thought that these beliefs and doctrines were worth giving up their lives for; I hope that we don’t forget that.”

Friday’s service will open with a short annual business meeting of the Mifflin County Amish Mennonite Historical Society, followed by Mr. Yoder’s presentation on the early beginnings of the Anabaptist movement. Through the remainder of the weekend, the services will travel through Anabaptist history, concluding with how Anabaptism speaks to our broken world in the 21st century.

Following the final service on Sunday, May 18, there will be a carry-in fellowship meal. All are welcome to stay and are encouraged to bring a hot or cold dish to share.