Anticipated Release: August 20, 2025

People of Peace: A History of the Virginia Mennonite Conference traces the unique story of Mennonites in Virginia and surrounding regions—from their early migration in the 1700s through the upheaval of the Civil War, to their resurgence in mission, service, and peace building. As the only Mennonite community in the Confederacy, their experience offers a rare lens on faith under pressure. Blending history, theology, and social insight, authors Steven Nolt and Elwood Yoder reveal how these communities adapted, grew, and sometimes divided, shaping a diverse Anabaptist presence that continues to evolve today. A fresh and accessible account grounded in decades of scholarship, this book is both a tribute to the past and a reflection on the challenges of faith in changing times.

"I give thanks for devoted storytellers Nolt and Yoder, who mine the rich veins of our Virginia Mennonite faith story, unearthing countless gems to remind us who we have been as a people of peace—for better and for worse. The artistry of selection leaves out many stories, but their masterful synthesis renews the imagination and empowers fresh courage to walk in peace today."
-Sara Wenger Shenk, President Emerita, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary

(526 pages, hardcover, index, Masthof Press, 2025)

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