The Courage to Love: Anabaptism@500 

An event to remember the past, reflect on the present and imagine the future 

On 25 January 1525, several young people in Zurich, Switzerland, took the bold step of rebaptizing one another as an expression of their faith. In doing so, they marked the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. 

On 29 May 2025, Mennonite World Conference invites guests from around the world to Zurich for “The Courage to Love: Anabaptism@500” – a one-day event to commemorate the 500th anniversary of this movement. 

But even as we look back on a long past, the focus of the commemoration is on the current reality of the Anabaptist movement. 

  • Who are we today as a global communion? 

  • What is important to us? 

  • What are we committed to in this world? 

When we look back over the 500-year history of our movement, we want to share who we are and what we have. And not just with other churches. A commitment – in this world – to peace, to reconciliation, to unity, in which we get a glimpse of Christ’s coming kingdom of shalom: these are key elements of how Anabaptists understand discipleship today. 

We have gathered these commitments under the theme “The Courage to Love.” 

It takes courage to stand up for reconciliation in a society torn apart by polarization. 

It takes courage to stand between the dividing lines – to listen and try to understand what motivates others. 

It takes courage to focus on love rather than influence, power and control. 

In a world where people loudly demand that we take a side and distinguish ourselves from those with whom we don’t want to be identified, it takes courage to choose love – a love that is ready to lay down its life for enemies, just as Christ laid down his life for enemies. 

Love goes beyond non-violence.

To live out God’s love in this world takes courageous commitment. 

Think, for example, of brothers and sisters in Ethiopia who, amid the violence of a civil war, make public the fact that they carry no weapons. Or think of people seeking to follow Christ amid conflicts in Myanmar or Ukraine, often entering the spaces between the lines as they search for ways forward beyond violent confrontation. Or think of the churches in DRC who welcome internally displaced people in their communities, offering material aid and trauma healing. 

What about us here today? 

Where is our courageous action of love needed today? 

How can we usefully place ourselves between the front lines?

How can we bear witness to a God who gives of God’s self to reconcile the world?