The Holdeman Mennonites of Belize
A Holdeman Mennonite church in Billywhite Village, Cayo District
Colorful dresses are worn by Holdeman girls and women
The real name of the Holdeman group worldwide is Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, and all churches outside of North America were started as missions with the "central government" being in Kansas. Thus, any major change to a doctrine must first be submitted to a global conference. Mennonite is a name that was tagged on since there are many other churches with the name "Church of God". Holdeman Mennonites is a label that was placed on them after John Holdeman in the 1800's left the Old Order Mennonites in an effort to revive spiritualism. Those who worked and practiced the new beliefs with him were called Holdemans; that name has stayed on. Of course, this all happened up in the US. In the early 1970's some North American Holdemans established a mission in Belize. In a way, it is still an ongoing mission since their intention is winning converts and not in building colonies and businesses. They have small congregations in different areas of Belize. For a glimpse at their doctrinal views, click here: https://belizemennonites.blogspot.com/2017/11/more-on-holdeman-mennonites.html
These Mennonites, after the Beachy and Conservative group, are of Swiss Mennonite origin and is the third other conservative branch that openly embraces people of different languages, colors and backgrounds. In North America the majority is whiteskinned and have names such as Troyer, Koehn, Yoder, Toews, etc; in Belize the members are converts of various cultures and ethnicities that joined the church through the required steps and thus became Holdeman Mennonites in name.
The most conspicous thing is the women's dress code. Their clothing is a 1 piece dress made of colorful fabric and a black covering that is pinned to the back of the head and folded in just above the neck. The dress was agreed by Holdemans in order to keep a distinct line of separation from the world and from other Mennonite groups and the bun type of covering for the same reason. A bigger head covering is used during worship services. (Dress pattern and head covering among Holdemans varies outside of the American continents.) Also during worship services, men and women sit separately except on special events such as weddings or funerals when mixed seating is allowed to accomodate non-Mennonite visitors.
All baptized males are required to let their beards grow.
The Holdemans, like the Beachy and Conservatives, focus first on the spiritual aspects of life, then on traditions (called doctrines by both groups). Doctrines are what defines the way their life must be lived out and are based on their understanding of the Bible. For example, non-resistance and avoiding worldliness and riches are doctrines they practice because they believe the Bible teaches it and not because their ancestors did or because the church leaders demand it. In the area of having doctrines and practicing them, the Holdemans and Conservative Mennonites are the closest to each other of all the groups of Mennonites in Belize. The Holdemans actually have their doctrines and beliefs written and compiled in a thick brown book titled, Bible Doctrine and Practice. Contrary to what people think, the book does not contain anything in reference to a specific style of dress, life, use of automobiles, etc. Nor does it outline point by point, the do's and don'ts of their church. It's more of a concordance/spiritual encyclopedia, explaining what the Bible means to them and why. For a look at their dating and courtship beliefs, click here: https://belizemennonites.blogspot.com/2019/04/how-mennonites-date-part-1.html
So far there is no major or known and registered business owned by any Holdeman, since their numbers are so low. The total number of baptized Holdemans is less than 150.
Their schools are private and supported by members in Belize and North America. Whereas many of the other Mennonites do not observe all government holidays, the Holdeman schools recently began observing national holidays upon request of the government. Observation of cultural holidays is decided by the church.
The most interesting thing about the Holdemans is their belief that theirs is the church that is closest to the Bible in interpretation of spiritual terms or the "one true church" statement that baffles and turns away some. However it is not a claim they freely discuss with nonmembers. In another article I will write a little bit more about their doctrines and beliefs. For their view concerning headcoverings, click here: https://belizemennonites.blogspot.com/2018/02/mennonite-headcoverings-part-2.html
Interesting facts:
One of the first US Holdeman missionary man who came to Belize actually had the surname of Holdeman.
They started a mission inside Spanish Lookout.
Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites were some of the first converts.
The mission in Spanish Lookout was terminated before 1990.
As of right now there are no Plautdietsch Holdemans in Belize. They all left the country decades ago.
KG Mennonites nowadays who wish to join the Holdeman church move to Canada or US to do it. Their Plautdietsch friends in Belize direct a lot of peer pressure, ridicule and scorn towards them.
