History of Goshen College
In 1894, the Elkhart Institute of Science, Industry and the Arts was established in Elkhart, Ind., by Dr. Henry A. Mumaw, a physician and member of nearby Prairie Street Mennonite Church. The school grew rapidly, and eventually outgrew its facilities so, in 1903, relocated to the south side of Goshen, Ind., around 15 miles away. Goshen College is owned and operated by the Mennonite Church USA.
Early Commitment to Peacemaking
Goshen College’s deep roots in a denomination committed to answering Christ’s call to loving kindness and peacemaking in the world has been apparent since the early years of the institution, when its predecessor, the Elkhart Institute, sent three students to India for volunteer efforts before the beginning of the 20th century.
Choosing Christian service over quiet security, subsequent GC students continued to venture into other lands; in 1920, junior Clayton Kratz, recent graduate Orie Miller and other Mennonites volunteered for relief work in Russia (Kratz disappeared from his service location behind Bolshevik lines and never returned).
Both students and faculty members became involved in international service work in the 1940s and '50s, when many Mennonite men of draft age were conscientious objectors to World War II and were assigned to alternative service. WW II and its aftermath created an overwhelming need for rebuilding in many parts of the globe, and Mennonites responded to the call in Europe even as missions continued in other many other countries. At the same time, GC was strengthening its student exchange programs.
Service Learning through SST Program
In 1968, building on the experiences of faculty members who had lived, studied and served abroad, Goshen launched a completely unique academic venture: Study-Service Term. The semester-long, cultural immersion experience places a group of students in a significantly different culture, with goals of understanding another world view first-hand.
Over 35 years, students and faculty leaders have traveled to 19 countries to study and serve, and SST continues as a distinguished foreign study program.
Goshen College Today
Goshen College now offers more than 70 programs of study—leading to 32 majors, 33 minors, 12 areas of concentration, 14 teacher education certification programs and 10 pre-professional programs.
Unique programs are offered in peace, justice and conflict studies; Mennonite studies; environmental justice; and American Sign Language Interpreting. Students come from 30 states and Puerto Rico, Canada and 35 other countries.
About 60 percent of students are from Mennonite or Mennonite-related backgrounds, but more than 25 other denominations are also represented in the student body.
About the Mennonite Church
Adapted from www.mennonitechurchusa.org
The Mennonites are followers of Christ who strongly value community, peacemaking, simple living and service to others throughout the world.
Adult Baptism, Loyalty to Christ and Persecution
Named for an early Dutch Anabaptist leader, Menno Simons, Mennonites trace their origins to Anabaptism, one of several Reformation movements in Switzerland and Holland during the early part of the 16th century. Anabaptists broke with both the Catholic Church and the reform movements inspired by Martin Luther, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli believing that church membership should be a matter of adult decision, rather than infant baptism.
The Anabaptists' view of the Bible led them to decide that they could not swear allegiance to any earthly ruler or serve in an army, rather promising loyalty to Christ and His call of faithful peace and love as expressed in the gospels and the New Testament.
In 1525, several members set themselves apart from the official church by publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ and re-baptizing each other. Church-state structures did not tolerate these Anabaptists or "Anabaptizers," meaning re-baptizers.
Over the course of two generations, thousands were persecuted. Many met death as martyrs. In order to preserve the movement, the survivors went into hiding. From 1575 to 1850, membership grew primarily when adults passed their faith to their children.
The Mennonite Church in the USA
Mennonite Church USA is one of nearly 20 formally organized groups of Mennonites in North America that vary in lifestyle and religious practice but all stem from the Anabaptist movement.
Though their streams of faith may differ, Mennonite groups hold common beliefs: Jesus Christ is central to worship and to everyday living. Behavior is to follow Christ's example.The Bible is considered the inspired word of God. Membership continues to be voluntary, with adult baptism upon declaration of faith.
Mennonites are known for their peace stand, taken because they believe Jesus Christ taught the way of peace. Many members choose not to participate in military service. Some take their belief further by objecting to government military expenditure; a few choose not to pay the percentage of their annual income tax that would go for military purposes.
Mennonites Today
Today, there are more than 1.2 million members in Mennonite or related churches in more than 60 countries across the world.
Though Mennonites speak different languages, they consider themselves one church and one community—a concept that of togetherness that marks much of Mennonite life.
Mennonites also are known for their stand for pacifism and peace and many believers choose not to participate in the military. Mennonites also are recognized for their interest in social issues, strong sense of volunteerism in service for others—especially those who have experienced hardships—and mission outreach in the U.S. and in more than one hundred countries worldwide.
