What Color is a Mennonite?

  The majority of articles found online about Mennonites describe white-skinned people of Anabaptist descent who either speak a German dialect or used to but have long let it go. That's because the word Mennonite has come to mean a race of people, a culture or ethnicity to many. A white skinned, usually fair-haired religious person. A lot of German-speaking Mennonites themselves think that way too. Others disagree.

   There are some, or perhaps I should say many, Kleine Gemeinde and Old Colonists who think themselves to be true Mennonites due to their skin color, way of making a living, and traditions. But why do people of the Holdeman, Beachy and Conservative churches have members of different color of skin? Because these 3 groups have another understanding of the word Mennonite. They did come from North America to evangelize the natives of Belize, but to them the word stands for the system of doctrines they practice, NOT  for the traditions, rituals and customs handed down for generations. That belief system is outlined and expounded in the writings of Menno Simons. Since the majority of Beachy and other Conservative churches which resemble the Beachy and also the Holdeman group, originated from the Swiss Mennonites, they come very close to following many of his writings as far as the written doctrines are concerned. Practically and physically applying those doctrines to their everyday life is another story.
  A good thing is that these "Swiss" Mennonites have been much more open to carrying the gospel to people of different colors and cultures. As a result, there are many interracial marriages among them, creating more spiritual unity between congregations in different countries.

  People who are baptized into these churches raise their children accordingly. It is not uncommon to see a black gentleman dressed neatly, wearing a beard, with his wife and daughters in floor length cape dresses and snow white head coverings.
 Among the Old Order Mennonites of Barton Creek and Springfield, you will find a few members who left their Creole, Hispanic or Maya culture and joined them. Don't be surprised to find a dark-skinned man with straw hat, bushy beard, suspenders and driving a horse and buggy.

  My sincere appreciation goes out to all those Mennonites who do not find skin color a barrier to be overcome.

  So what color is a Mennonite?