Early Anabaptist strategy for security in missions

Members vote during the MWC General Council meetings held May 26-28, 2025. In Schwabisch Gmund, Germany.

In light of Anabaptism’s 500-year anniversary, celebrated this past May in Zurich where the movement began, let’s consider one of the strategies that explain how our numbers came to reach over two million people in 80 countries worldwide, in spite of persecution.

Doctrinally, Anabaptism has always been outwardly focused and missional—though in practice the years of sending have been interspersed with long years of huddling.

Hans Kasdorf (1928–2011), a Mennonite Brethren missionary and educator, wrote in The Anabaptist Approach to Mission, in the early years of the Anabaptist movement “missionaries were sent in apostolic teams to carry out their task. Since persecution was almost inevitable, the missionaries were usually sent in teams of three: a minister of the Word…the preacher and the teacher; a type of deacon…the servant to the needs of others; and a lay brother…to serve as liaison between the church and the missionaries.”

Dozens of such teams with their families were sent to serve throughout Europe and as far away as the Americas, Kasdorf says, “compelled by the Great Commission, convicted by a deep sense of calling, commissioned by a supporting church, committed to a high view of discipleship, and called to carry out the apostolic task.” Fragmentary records estimate that at least 40,000 new converts were baptized during this early span of 60 years. Linford Stutzman, professor emeritus of culture and missions at Eastern Mennonite University, reminds us that the early Anabaptists sent out these workers in teams because the work was dangerous.

At a recent Board of Missions meeting, we were blessed to accept three new candidates: one young family, and two single women, each going to different parts of the world. All of them will join existing teams.

Though it is not always possible, we try to make sure all our workers are part of teams, not alone. Living in close proximity to one another, staying in regular communication with each other, carpooling, and limiting travel in certain areas or after dark are a few of the practical steps they take to ensure the safety of each team member.

Obeying a call from the Lord does not mean we should live recklessly or fail to take precautions. So, this is a good reminder that the sending church needs to include much prayer for protection and open hearts for those who hear the good news of salvation.

While evangelists, deacons and communication specialists were the makeup of the teams years ago, these gifts continue to show up in creative ways. In other words, God calls every believer to be his ambassador, no matter what you are skilled at, what your training is, what your hobbies are, or what your personality is like. The calling God has for you may not be danger free, but it will be done for the glory of God.