March 2, 2009 issue
Germans learn ‘forgotten history’
By Jewel Showalter Eastern Mennonite MissionsPage:
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HALLE, Germany — When Darrel Weaver was offered an English-teaching job at Martin Luther University, he had no idea that his Mennonite background would provide classroom material.
Darrel Weaver, part of an EMM church-planting team in Halle, Germany, also teaches English at Martin Luther University in Halle. — Photo by Miriam Weaver/EMM
At first it was a bit intimidating to teach at the university. As part of an Eastern Mennonite Missions church-planting team in Halle, Weaver had spent his first five years in Germany teaching English at the Inlingua Language Institute. But he quickly found himself thoroughly enjoying the interaction with German university students.
Weaver started out teaching beginner-level classes. He was surprised when his supervisor gave him the freedom to offer communication courses on relevant topics of his own choosing.
That’s when he was inspired to develop a course on the history of Mennonites in Germany.
“I doubted that I could teach a religious course in a public university,” he said. “But it was totally fine. I’m delighted that it has become a natural and professional way for me to share my faith with students who are largely atheistic or agnostic.”
In the course, “German Immigration to the United States from 1700 to 1900,” students improved their English by reading assigned articles on the history of Mennonites in Europe and then discussing them.
Weaver sketched the historical background of the Anabaptist movement, contrasted its beliefs and practices with that of the state church, and introduced key historical figures like Menno Simons and Ulrich Zwingli.
He also included stories of people who faced banishment, imprisonment and martyrdom.
The course also followed the immigration of Mennonites from Switzerland up the Rhine River to the Alsace in France, the Palatinate in Southwest Germany, through the Netherlands and across the Atlantic by ship to Philadelphia. From there the course followed the Mennonite diaspora and adjustments in the new world.
“I get varied responses from those who attend the course,” Weaver said. “[Some] show surprise that such persecution could happen in Europe. They often note that these things were never taught in their history classes.
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Comments
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I would be interested in hearing more stories concerning Mr Weaver's students responses.
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Good job Darrel, it is great to hear from you
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Darrel,
That is so interesting. Now that I've moved to Canada I've really been interested in learning more about our own heritage and background. I'd love to hear more of your information some day! Thanks for sharing this with us!
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Darrel,
The article gave me goose-bumps. God has given you a really cool vehicle for making Him known. Thanks for letting us know.
Aaron
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WOW! Didi you ever think you would be a college professor teaching Christina history and telling HIS story?
Keep at it Darrell. Rose and I travel ever year to Germany. Our daughter Lacy is married to a German Martin. They live in Rimsting near the Chimsee in Barvaria.
Steve
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thank you Jesus for your provision and making your ways known! Thank you Darrell for being obedient! :)
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