Devotion echoes within these walls. We are standing before the Brethren Assembly. This assembly is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith and community.
The Brethren movement’s story began over 300 years ago. It started in 1708 in Schwarzenau Germany. Religious dissenters sought refuge from persecution there. Alexander Mack a miller led this group. He was influenced by Pietism and Anabaptism.
In August 1708 five men and three women gathered at the Eder River. They performed baptism. This was an illegal act because they were baptized as infants. They saw this baptism as a symbol of their new faith. It was a commitment to living that faith together. They called themselves “brethren”.
The early Brethren shared beliefs with other Protestants. However some issues set them apart. They relied on the New Testament. They believed Jesus wanted his followers to live differently. They chose a life of peace plain living and shared truth. They enthusiastically shared their faith. Evangelists went to Germany Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Growing persecution and economic hardship led Brethren to emigrate. They moved to North America in 1719. Peter Becker led this migration. Most Brethren left Europe by 1740. This included Mack who brought a group in 1729. Germantown Pennsylvania saw the first congregation in the New World. It was organized in 1723. Missionaries from Germantown went to rural areas around Philadelphia. They preached baptized and started new congregations.
Their zeal honesty and hard work attracted new members. New congregations formed in New Jersey Maryland and Virginia. They moved into Kentucky Ohio Indiana Illinois and Missouri. This expansion occurred after the Revolutionary War because of the promise of inexpensive land. By the mid-1800s Brethren settled in Kansas and Iowa. Eventually they reached the West Coast.
Expansion and the Industrial Revolution caused conflict among the Brethren. A major schism occurred in the early 1880s. This resulted in a three-way split. The largest branch became the Church of the Brethren in 1908. Before it was called the German Baptist Brethren.
The 20th century saw the Church of the Brethren focus on education. They developed Sunday schools camping and youth programs. They strengthened service missions and peacemaking. They increased ecumenical involvement. Also they developed a new denominational structure.
The Brethren began mission partnerships. These were in India China Nigeria Ecuador Sudan and South Korea. More recently they expanded to Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Mission staff and Brethren Volunteer Service workers are in the US and other countries.
In the 21st century the Church of the Brethren has about 100000 members. They are in about 1000 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico. There are as many as a million people attending services in Nigeria. Hundreds more are in India Brazil the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The Brethren Assembly stands as a place for those who share faith. The Brethren Assembly maintains the basic beliefs of the first Brethren. It seeks new ways to continue the work of Jesus. It stands as a testament to their enduring legacy.