My People, the Amish: The True Story of an Amish Father and Son

by Keim, Joe

The second man replied, “I’m here because my forefathers came out of Welsh Revival in 1905.”

  Not to be outdone, the third one replied, “I got all of you beat. I’m here because my forefathers were the Anabaptists.”

  What a pathetic conversation that would be! The truth is, if we could go back to each one of those persecuted forefathers and seek advice from them, they would all say, “God forbid that you look to us. We were just sinful human beings in desperate need of a Savior.” I have no doubt they would all say, “Do what we all did. Set your eyes on Jesus Christ.”

  Jesus is the answer to all the pride, prejudice, bitterness, hatred, and disunity in our world. The ground at the foot of the cross is level. No person is accepted for any other reason than faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

  When are we going to start acting like Spirit-filled children of God – caring more about others than ourselves, our traditions, our denominations? How much longer before we fall on our faces before God and cry out for forgiveness? Is severe persecution the only tool God has left to bring us to our knees?

  From the beginning of our ministry, I’ve been burdened to come together and pray – not a time to fellowship, not a time for Bible study, but a prayer meeting. We get together for two hours every week to pray for lives to be changed. We pray for hundreds of young people who have come through the ministry. We pray for God to send an awakening. Some of those who prayed with us fourteen years ago are still coming. We pray for each other, too. We pray for fathers to lead, mothers to lead, and children to come to Christ.

  One seventeen-year-old Amish boy showed up one night for the prayer meeting. He had cancer. His brother had already died from cancer, and the doctor said he only had a couple more weeks to live. He was so weak he could hardly sit in the chair. We laid hands on him and asked if it was God’s will, that He would heal him. That boy is alive today. No cancer. He will tell you he got healed that night. He went back to the doctor who said, “I don’t know where your cancer went.”

  * * * *

  Thank you for taking the time to read My People, the Amish. From the beginning, I prayed that God would use the story of my life to encourage you to never give up, regardless of your circumstances. James wrote: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14b)

  Just like a vapor that rises from a tea kettle, so our life appears and then is gone, vanished away. King Solomon had everything this world had to offer, and yet, in all his worldly splendor and glory, he cried out, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 12:7-8). He knew he would soon be dust, and someone else would take over his kingdom and riches. He concluded, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

  Ah reader, if God has led you to these final words of mine, and you have not yet found your way to Him, let me point the way by sharing the cry of Jesus. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

  The unlimited grace of God, through Jesus Christ, is drawing near to you and wants to replace your sin-stained heart with a new one. Listen to what He says: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you (Ezekiel 36:26-27a).

  Will you accept the Lord’s invitation? Go ahead. You can take a moment and talk with Him. He’s right next to you, waiting.

  I hope you said yes. If you did, Jesus promised, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24, emphasis added).

  Prayer

  Father in heaven, I have sinned against You. I have strayed from You and gone after idols and man-made religion. I’ve done my own thing. I’ve lost my way. Have mercy on me, oh God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. I recognize my rebellion. It haunts me day and night. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, oh God. (Based on Psalm 51)

  Team Up with MAP

  If you’re interested, you have an opportunity to team up with MAP Ministry through prayer and giving. Our ministry is faith-based and only possible because of donors. If you want more information on how you can get involved, visit our website or feel free to contact us.

  Contact Information

  MAP Ministry

  575 US Highway 250

  P.O. Box 128

  Savannah, OH 44874

  Phone: (419) 962-1515

  www.mapministry.org

  Appendix A

  My Perfect Father

  By Rachel Keim

  According to Webster’s College Dictionary, the word perfect means “excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement.” When Webster’s College Dictionary created a definition for the word perfect, they were defining my father. There may be many good fathers present in the world, but none could outshine my father: my father is perfect. My father is a giving, considerate, and protective man, and he is my role model. My father exhibits the characteristics of perfection.

  My father is giving. Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” All of my life my father has gone against human nature and has put others above himself on a constant basis. I remember a time after my father went into full-time ministry that he did not get paid for three months. During that three-month period of no pay, my father continued to faithfully give his money to an organization that aided third-world countries. My father gave willingly even during difficult times. My father lives by Winston Churchill’s words and gives, not only to his family, but also to those who are in need around him. My father has characterized his life by a giving heart.

  My father is considerate of others. Although my dad believes that he is the “man of the house” and that he has the final say in all family matters, he is always willing to listen to everyone’s viewpoint before making a decision. After genuinely listening to each person and making each individual feel as if his opinion is important, my father will earnestly try to make an agreeable decision. My father always strives for fairness.

  My father is protective. As a child, I remember waking up once in the middle of the night, convinced that someone was breaking into the house. The first place I ran to for protection was my father. Within minutes of hearing my imaginative yet sincere tale, my father was out of bed and searching every room of the house until I felt confident that I was safe. This little act showed me that no matter how small the situation in life, my father will always be willing to do everything he can to protect me and my family.

  My father is my role model. Every day I see traits in my father that I want to attain. When I was a little girl, I had made up my mind that I was going to marry my father. As I got older, I realized the heartbreaking fact that my fortunate mother was married to my father, and that my idea of marrying him would be impossible. Now, I only hope to marry a man one day who will be like my father and follow the model he has created.

  Ten years ago, I sincerely believed with all of my heart that my father was perfect. Now that I am older, I realize that my father is not completely perfect, but I also realize that he strives for perfection every day. Because of his effort and the character traits
he exhibits, my father is perfect in my eyes. I only hope that one day I can inherit some of his priceless qualities; after all, I’d like to be as close to perfect as possible.

  Appendix B

  Questions for David Before Dating Rachel

  By Joe Keim

  Have you dated before?

  Why are you attracted to Rachel?

  Describe for me what you think dating is about.

  How would you describe a good husband/leader in the home?

  Tell me, how does a person get to heaven?

  What is your strongest spiritual gift?

  Share a weakness that you know you have.

  How is your walk with the Lord (past and present)?

  What areas of ministry have you been involved in?

  What are three things, written in the Bible, that you feel very strong about?

  Who do you look up to? Who’s been your mentor?

  What are your hobbies?

  What is your relationship like with your family?

  We have prayed for the following things:

  Rachel’s and her man’s purity all the way to marriage. (Comment on what purity means to you.)

  That her man would be a born-again Christian, raised in a godly home, and serving the Lord with all his heart.

  That her man would be a leader in the home (explain leading vs. pushing). Rachel cautioned, “Dad, this one might be a little intense. By all means, you can mention it (it is important). Hah! Just don’t make too strong of a point of it for the poor guy!

  Where do you want to be one year from now? Five years from now? Ten years from now?

  How to end our conversation: “I am happy to give you permission to date my daughter.” Rachel said, “Perfect! But remember, you don’t have to give permission. I trust your judgment!”

  Appendix C

  Marriage Comments/Questions for David

  By Joe Keim

  Our family has prayed thousands of times over many years that God would send Rachel a godly man – one who would protect her as well as lead her in the Lord’s way. We do not want to sound controlling, nor do we want to hang on to Rachel for the rest of her life. The Bible says clearly in Matthew:

  And he [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he [God] which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (Matthew 19:4-5)

  Since the beginning of time, God meant for children to leave their parents and cleave only to their spouse. As parents, we are grateful and feel very blessed that God has allowed us to pour our hearts and lives into Rachel. Our goal from the beginning was to prepare her for the man that God would someday send her way. We may not always have measured up to what we should have or could have done, but one thing is for sure, we tried our very best.

  Until Rachel left for college, we sat down on the couch with her every morning and asked God that He would protect her, fill her with His Holy Spirit, give her wisdom, and lead her in the right direction. It was also during those prayer times that we asked God to provide a born-again, godly husband for her – one who was raised in a home where they went to church and made God and family first and most important.

  When Rachel was just a baby, we brought her before the church and made a commitment to bring her up in the nurture of the Lord. When she turned ten, we sat down with her and read through a series of books that explained how the Lord had made her in fear and wonder. It was also during those times that we shared what she should expect as she grew older – she would get married and have her own children. Later, at the age of sixteen, we invited eight godly men and women to come to our house to pray over Rachel. That same day, Rachel made a vow to stay sexually pure and follow the Lord all the days of her life.

  Now that you and Rachel have been courting for two years, it’s important that you know you are on our daily prayer list. Almost every weeknight for the past two years, Esther and I sat down together on the couch and prayed for the two of you.

  It’s been exciting to watch as God gave you and Rachel a desire to read book after book on healthy, godly marriages and families – you get ten stars for doing a GREAT job and leading the way. We are impressed by your knowledge of the Scriptures and the stand you have taken to stay sexually pure. Truly, the Lord has answered our prayers and done a great work!

  Our family loves the Garwood family and considers all of you as dear friends and co-laborers in the Lord. We love the way you all have made God and family most important in your lives. Truly, we share many of the same values and beliefs; only God could have made such a connection.

  Having said all that, let us conclude by saying thank you for coming and talking about your future dreams with our daughter. It is at this point that we would like to ask you some questions before we round the next bend in the road.

  Questions and Commitments

  Why have you chosen our daughter as your partner to marry and spend the rest of your life with?

  What do you expect being married to Rachel is going to be like?

  Have you considered where you will live after you get married?

  What have you learned from your dad and mom about being a husband and a father?

  What do you consider your role as a husband and parent should be?

  What are your goals for the near and distant future?

  Can you assure us that you are going to take care of our daughter financially? Will you work hard, provide for her and your family, and never use money as a weapon?

  She doesn’t have to live in a castle, but she should have a safe and comfortable home, clothing, and food.

  Can you see yourself being happy and content with our daughter, even if life deals you a blow and you both end up being poor?

  Will you take care of her emotionally? Two things will destroy your marriage: self-centeredness and bitterness. Guard against these. Inside our daughter’s heart is a round hole we call “emotional need.” Inside of your heart as a man is a square peg that is somehow going to have to “fit” with her. Are you willing to knock off the edges of that square peg to fulfill her emotional requirements?

  She doesn’t think or react like you do. You may see something and laugh – she may see it and cry. You may say something that you thought was the sweetest thing in the world, but it may make her very upset. God designed you to be the one who can meet her needs; are you willing to go out of your way to guard against self-centeredness and bitterness and take care of Rachel’s emotional needs?

  Will you take care of her physically? As a father, it has been my job to protect my “princess.” As her husband, your job is to protect your “queen.” If someone threatened her, will you step in front of her? By protecting her physically, I also mean intimately. Consider that she is the weaker vessel, as described in the Bible.

  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

  Will you take care of her spiritually? Do you know that in the Bible, it tells men thirty-three times to love their wives? But it tells wives only twice to love their husbands. You are asking for our daughter’s hand. I know what a woman of God she is right now. When I place her hand in yours in marriage, I am no longer responsible for her spiritual health and training. One day, after living together for many, many years, you are going to present her hand to God. Will she be more of a godly woman at that point than the day we gave her to you?

  Esther and I strongly believe that you must be the spiritual leader of your family and future children (our grandchildren) according to God’s design. Will you take responsibility to read the Scriptures to Rachel and your children? Pra
y over them? Take them to church on a regular basis?

  Will you put forth your best efforts to pray regularly for the salvation and marriage partners of your children?

  If you can take care of our daughter financially, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually – as outlined in this letter – then you have our blessing. If you can’t, we need to know now.

  Appendix D

  Brief Outline of the Conference

  Session 1: Anabaptism, Culture, and Values

  A beautiful culture and family values result from many years of persecution and suffering.

  Session 2: Beliefs, Legalism, and Leaving

  The gospel according to most Amish has six major elements. Rejecting one could keep a person out of heaven.

  Session 3: Evangelism, Stumbling Blocks, and Dos and Don’ts

  Why evangelism is necessary and three ways to connect with your Amish community.

  Session 4: MAP Ministry and Helping the Former Amish

  The start and history of a ministry and how God is moving among the Plain culture.

  Dates for upcoming conferences can be found at

  www.amishawareness.com.

  Appendix E

  Bible Verses for Further Study and Discussion

  Assurance of Salvation

  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30)