by Keim, Joe
In time, some of Sam’s family got saved, including his father, Levi. We decided to move the Sunday morning Bible study to Levi’s house. When the house grew so full we couldn’t meet there anymore, we moved into Levi’s shop. Duct tape covered the cracks in the floor, and an old wood stove kept us warm. The first year we saw many get saved and about forty people were baptized. They were coming from all directions.
Our congregation was very colorful and from all backgrounds. Some drove all the way from Columbus, Ohio, and wore nose and tongue rings and had tattoos all over their bodies. Others came from an Amish background and still wore their plain clothes. It didn’t matter to me what they looked like or where they came from. I was just excited that God had chosen me to preach the gospel and be their pastor. Those were some really exciting times.
When word got out that some Amish had left their church, various non-Amish denominations offered to lead Bible studies, often during the week when I wasn’t around. Not all of these “Bible studies” were focused on the truth. We had Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Christ, Mormons, Baptists, charismatics, and others. We also had ultra-conservative groups come that wanted to push head coverings and long dresses. Confusion grew. People questioned what was right and what was wrong. I felt responsible for protecting them and only wanted what was best for the church. Many times, I lay awake in bed, praying for wisdom and God’s protective hand to cover us. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33).
It became clear that some of the former Amish wanted to go out and try other churches. Letting them go was agonizing for me, but when my own marriage and family life began to struggle, I knew I had to put things in God’s hand and move on. I’d hoped to establish leadership in the church, but I made the mistake of trying to put together a doctrinal statement and church bylaws, which was viewed as too similar to the Amish ordinance letter with too much structure.
I was reminded of the Jews and Gentiles who were placing their faith in Jesus Christ during the early church. The Jews came out of a long legalistic background, while the Gentiles came from a background of idol worship and loose living. Suddenly, two complete opposites found themselves attending the same church. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul explains how God brought the Jew and Gentile together through Christ. The same could be said for the Amish and English believers.
For he [Christ] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Understanding the book of Ephesians has often helped me see through a lens that tells me it can be healthy for two peoples to come together. Separation is unhealthy, so I don’t recommend starting a former-Amish church. They bring all their pain and frustrations into that setting, so they need good, solid Bible-believing English people to help them with their anguish and difficulties.
When I first started with this ministry, I thought, We’re going to pull a ton of former Amish into my home church. Instead, I find 90 percent of them start in our church and end up at other churches. As a result, they are in all kinds of churches in our area. At first I felt rejected; I thought we’d worship together, but that’s not what God wants. Yes, Lord, these former Amish need to go to other churches and in this way influence each other in positive ways.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek [Amish and non-Amish]: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:12-13)
Chapter 19
MAP Outreach
For the past thirty years, Esther and I have taken adult individuals and families who have left the Amish into our home. Sometimes they were placed by court order. In spite of challenges along the way, we have always enjoyed this part of the ministry. We find great joy in helping young adults make something of themselves.
We have cried, mourned, and laughed with one another. We’ve endured many sleepless nights as we prayed earnestly for God to move in hearts and lives. We’ve had to deal with alcohol, drugs, sex, cursing, rebellion, and the law. We had to deal with parents who were angry at us because we gave their adult child a home. Some stole money and possessions from us, invited strangers into our home, and mocked us before others. Over the course of thirty years, however, we have witnessed the power and transformation of God’s hand and have seen many young folks get saved, follow the Lord in baptism, and join a local church where they are now serving God and others.
Now that we have reached our fiftieth birthdays, Esther and I are ready to expand the outreach and invite others to participate in this relocation ministry for former Amish. With great excitement we have moved forward with a housing and counseling ministry known as New Beginnings.
Disappointed Amish parents have blamed us for pulling their children out of the Amish community, but we have never gone after anyone personally. If they land on our doorstep, we help in any way we can. It makes no difference if the individual is Amish or former Amish, because only culture and personal preferences divide the two groups.
Even as a young Amish boy, I had a desire to write in the Amish Budget or some other publications by the Amish. In 2007 my yearning became a reality. With some financial help from a church in Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, we mailed our first 2,500 copies of the Amish Voice to various settlements in Ohio. Since then, we have not missed a single mailing. The sixteen-page publication now goes out to 8,000 Amish households every other month. Individuals and churches who have a heart for the Amish and their spiritual well-being pay for the printing and postage.
The purpose of the Amish Voice does not in any way try to lead people away from the Amish culture, nor is it used as a weapon to point out false teachings. Our main desire and goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ – to encourage, challenge, and educate our people spiritually.
Every household owns several Bibles, the Martyr’s Mirror, a prayer book, and hymnbook. All four of these books are written in High German. Sadly, German is the least understood of their three languages, so many have a hard time understanding what they read. Instead, they trust their church leaders, traditions, heritage, and culture to prepare them for eternity.
In 2015, an Old Order Amish couple in northern Indiana wrote the following letter and distributed it to area ministers. I believe it speaks for many who are searching for the truth or have already had their eyes opened to salvation.
We write to you today concerning an issue in our Amish churches. After praying and feeling God’s guidance in this matter, we feel we must bring this subject to light.
This is concerning the use of the German language in our churches today. We know this tradition (some would call it a heritage) has been passed down from generation to generation from our forefathers, but what is of the fact that most of our people no longer understand this language? We no longer use this language anywhere but in church.
Our main language is Pennsylvania Dutch, but before we go to school, we must learn the English language, and we must speak this language if we are to have a job or any communication with the world around us. Why is it then that on Sundays we are clinging to this tradition of using the German language? Most of us know how to read this language either from attending the Amish school or from Deitsh School, but sadly we do not know the meaning of the words. How sad it is to sit in church on Sunday, feeling the need to praise God in song but not knowing what the song we sing means (we have Our Heritage Hope and Faith book and Hymns book which would be ok, but we cannot take these books to church with us).
A lot of preachers today are making an effort to explain these Scriptures in our everyday
language (although many do not), but we feel this is not enough; our young adults and children understand close to nothing! Is it any wonder that many are choosing not to stay Amish? Let’s take a look at what God says:
1 Corinthians 14:18-19: I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Mark 7:6-8: He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Revelation 3:15-16: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
We ask the question – If our churches were not lukewarm, would we not be content to sit and sing songs we do not know the meaning of? Would we be content to preach the Good News of Jesus in a language that most of us do not understand? We understand that our Amish heritage has many traditions that are worth holding on to, and we are thankful for these things. But we must ask ourselves when our traditions stand in the way of people hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus, is it worth it? I fear our children are paying the price.
A word of encouragement:
Philippians 1:9-11: And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
In closing, for fear of being written as such, we feel we must clarify: we are not part of Revive Indiana, or a Bible study group or any organization of any kind. We are simply an Old Order Amish couple with a concern for our church.
Please pray and seek God’s will on the matter.
Sincerely,
A concerned Brother and Sister
We have chosen to withhold our names for fear of being shunned by the people for speaking boldly what God has laid on our heart.
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The Amish Voice Conference Line is a phone ministry that allows up to one thousand callers to join. Topics vary from Bible doctrines to family, marriage, and testimonies. We have had well-known and popular counselors and authors lead these discussions. We record and upload them to a phone server, so Amish people can continue to call in and listen afterwards. The Sermons by Phone ministry works in a similar fashion. Every month, we upload six new sermons for people to dial in and listen to. Listeners are encouraged to leave a message and a phone number. Both ministries are continually advertised in the Amish Voice.
Some Amish send their children to public schools for various reasons. This is more common in communities such as Holmes County, Ohio, and northern Indiana. A few Amish homeschool their children. Yet, the vast majority of Amish send their children to a one-room schoolhouse, a right they gained after much conflict in the 1930s. The issue made its way to the Supreme Court, which, in its landmark decision Wisconsin vs. Yoder (1972), granted the Amish and other religious minorities the right to remove their children from schooling after eighth grade or fourteen years of age, whichever comes first.
An eighth-grade education works fine for individuals who choose to stay in the Amish culture; however, when one chooses to leave and join mainstream American culture, they are faced with many disadvantages unless they further their education. Therefore, MAP also offers local and long-distance GED programs.
Fewer than 50 percent enroll in a GED program. Mostly, they don’t see the value in education and would rather work in construction where a GED is not needed. A few, mostly girls, have chosen to further their education beyond a GED by attending college for a degree in nursing or teaching. Others get their GED in order to homeschool their children, volunteer at the fire station, secure higher-paying factory positions, obtain airplane licenses, and a multitude of other reasons.
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In 2013, a pastor friend of mine called to propose a conference for people who wanted to learn more about the Amish culture and beliefs.
He said, “Joe, God has already given me a name – Amish Awareness Conference.”
Shortly thereafter, we had our very first Amish Awareness Conference in Savannah, Ohio. About 150 people from ten states traveled there for the event, and major radio stations, including VCY America, Family Radio, Moody Radio, and local newspapers learned about the event and asked for interviews, which led to more conferences in other states.
Each two- to three-day conference is designed to help non-Amish and former Amish learn better ways to connect, evangelize, and disciple Amish individuals who live in our own backyards. One of the highlights is when we set up panel discussions for former Amish and English individuals to learn from each other.
I personally like the conferences because they provide a platform for the former Amish, who are less educated, to get in front of people and share their testimonies and preach. To date, there haven’t been any events without someone making a commitment to go into ministry.
The heart of every Amish Awareness Conference is outlined in my 140-page book, Amish: Our Friends, But Are They Believers? Appendix D shows the details of the conference.
Since the day God called me to this ministry, I have been amazed at the doors He opens. We speak in churches about thirty weekends out of the year, as well as to hospital staff, law enforcement, and colleges. We usually speak to the outside world because they want to know how to communicate with the Amish. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare officials often question why the Amish churches don’t allow their members to have medical insurance, or why they refuse to be transferred by life flight. I explain that many believe Satan lives and rules the space between heaven and earth. This is based on Ephesians 2:2 which says, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Therefore, they don’t want to enter Satan’s kingdom.
While at the hospital, some Amish women refuse to remove their head covering. Sometimes, doctors are unable to send their Amish patients home as early as they wish because their sect forbids indoor bathroom facilities, which means they would have to be able to get up and walk to an outhouse.
Not everyone likes MAP Ministry. We have been threatened physically, and on three different occasions, non-Amish individuals have presented themselves as attorneys and threatened to file lawsuits against us. One person from the state of New York, who claimed to be an attorney, created a website. His goal was to turn people against us and shut the ministry down.
At other times, people stood up in the middle of our church presentations and argued that we were attacking the Amish and wondered why their pastor allowed us to come in.
One time a guy interrupted, “The Amish may not be born again, but at least they are Christians.”
I’ve learned the best way to handle these situations is to go back and focus on the Amish culture. Most of the books and documentaries available to us today picture the culture, which is what we all like so much about the Amish. But then I’d continue my presentation by saying, we must separate the fascinating and beautiful culture from their religious beliefs.
Currently, MAP is preparing to build a 6,000-square-foot bulk food store called Beyond Measure Market. The store will be next to the MAP office building and New Beginnings counseling and housing ministries. Beyond Measure Market will serve as a place for young girls to get retail and customer experience while they live at New Beginnings and wait for their birth records, Social Security numbers, and GED certificates. The
market will also serve as a way for us to pay for the housing and counseling expenses.
Someday we hope to have our own Bible school for young adults to get a greater understanding of God’s work and ministry. With some help and proper training, more of my own people might go into ministry and be used of God. The Bible school will only offer biblical training and hands-on ministry opportunities. The goal is to spend as much time in practical ministry as sitting in a classroom. This huge project will require a lot of people’s prayer support and funds.
God is using MAP, not only to reach out to the Amish, but to help educate non-Amish. MAP has been on ABC, PBS (American Experience), History Channel (Seven Deadly Sins), and National Geographic (Amish Out of Order series). MAP ministry has been on many radio stations, and has showed up in magazine articles, novels, and school textbooks.
Sometimes, I feel the distant rumble and awakening of another great revival coming to America. And when it does, this revival will come from within the Anabaptist communities. They are more zealous than any other people culture I know. The world has their eyes on the Amish, and many stand in amazement and wonder.
Chapter 20
Struggles With Authority
I still go as much as possible to our home church, where my brother Johnny teaches a former-Amish Sunday school class, and we have weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings at our house. During the summer, we have worship nights and play games to give young people things to do to help them stay off drugs and alcohol. My brothers William and Perry own construction businesses and have employed many young men. However, some of the former Amish have had to learn lessons the hard way by doing jail time or prison time. We’ve also seen some go on welfare. I guess it’s like any other culture; you see it all.