The 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement was marked in 2025 as the movement was sparked during the Reformation by the rebaptism of the (3) early leaders on January 21, 1525. Their devotion to following Jesus and empowerment by the Holy Spirit fueled a deep awakening to a treasure in Christ that persecution could not take away; and spread like wildfire across Europe stirring tens of thousands to be baptized or rebaptized for their personal devotion to Christ in a matter of a few years. There is a growing sense that God is calling us back to that simple faith in Jesus. This 500-year mark of believer’s baptism is a strategic time in church history and a time to consider “The More” that God has for the followers of Jesus and to get prepared for what is unfolding as this may be more of a new launching time than a finish line. There is a sense the Lord is inviting the rebaptizers, Anabaptists, and other advocates of believer’s baptism, to be eager for yet another baptism. This new baptism, the baptism of Jesus, will not diminish the value of water baptism but is about Jesus given the space to be Lord of the church. John pointed to Jesus and the baptism that He has for His followers as greater than his. The question is in front of us today as it was to the people of Ephesus in Acts 19, what baptism did you experience?
There is much reason to believe there is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the heart of the Father and humility and prayer is a necessary part of our preparation. The word of Psalm 24:7, one of the two most preached passages of the early Anabaptists, “Lift up your heads, O you gates, lift them up you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.”, is felt as a clarion call for preparing for the new move of God on the way. It is time for our world to be impacted by His presence in our midst with His Holy Spirit as our strength for revealing His glory. This is His Day!!!
Session Recordings
Click on the link for the video.
Monday 1/20/25, Worship & Prayer
Harp & Bowl
Monday 1/20/25, Session 1 (Afternoon)
Returning to Our First Love – Dave Hess
Monday 1/20/25, Session 2 (Afternoon)
Tenets of Anabaptist Faith – Hans Lehman
Church and State Relationship – Panel Discussion
Monday 1/20/25, Session 3 (Evening)
Reason for Celebration – Collaboration of church leaders
Tuesday 1/21/25, Worship & Prayer
Harp & Bowl
Tuesday 1/21/25, Session 1 (Afternoon)
Healing Journey – Lloyd Hoover and Janet Richards
Tuesday 1/21/25, Session 2 (Afternoon)
A Movement Through the Generations – Sam Chupp
Tuesday 1/21/25, Session 3 (Evening)
A Healed Bride – Dr. Mike Hutchings
Wednesday 1/22/25, Worship & Prayer
Harp & Bowl
Wednesday 1/22/25, Session 1 (Afternoon)
Restoration of the Promise – Urie Hershberger
Wednesday 1/22/25, Session 2 (Afternoon)
New Life in the Church – Larry Kreider
The Fullness of the Spirit – Lester Zimmerman
Wednesday 1/22/25, Session 3 (Evening)
Jesus for the World – Luke Weaver
January 20, 21, and 22, 2025
The Invitation was a 3 day prayer and fasting gathering. Attendees were invited to experience the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement through six primary areas of focus: remembrance, reverence, reflection, repentance, re-baptism, and re-mission. This 500-year mark of the believer’s baptism was a strategic time in church history to look beyond the past. Many joined us as we considered “The More” that God desires to release in and through the Anabaptist family…….Amish, Mennonites, Brethren in Christ, Hutterites, Independents, etc!
The (6) areas of focus are below.
Remembrance
This is a time to remember the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit called the Reformation and a time for thanksgiving and praise for all God has done, the huge price that thousands paid for this place of personal relationship with Him and that he has not forgotten us.
Reverence
This is not a time to hold back our worship and with our whole hearts worship and honor Him, realizing that without His presence and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit our world will be in trouble.
Reflection
Reflect on the 500 years of Anabaptism acknowledging the many ways our faith has stayed alive but to also acknowledge ways we may have deviated from His original plan as radical followers of Jesus.
Repentance
With humble hearts acknowledging ways we may have resisted His Holy Spirit and resorted to legalistic forms of godliness that resulted in broken relationships across the church, having a form of Godliness but denying the power for the building of God’s Kingdom. The result is apathy and a great mission to yet be fulfilled.
Rebaptism
Acknowledging our need for a new baptism, the baptism of Jesus of fire and the Holy Spirit, valuing the baptism of repentance and accepting the empowerment for the manifestation of Jesus in and through our lives.
Re-mission
Recommitting ourselves to following Jesus and the way of His Spirit as we fulfill our part of the great commission and God’s great rescue plan.
Location
Petra Church
565 Airport Road
New Holland, PA 17557
Planning Team
Lloyd Hoover
Dave Smucker
Elmer Fisher
Ken Reinford
Josh Smucker
Reuben Stoltzfus
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Lloyd Hoover
717-381-6641
lehoover30@gmail.com
Dave Smucker
717-740-2989
dave@allianceus.org
John 17:22-24 (NLT)
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!”