About
Anabaptist Brotherhood

Mission

To promote brotherhood mutual aid by providing Biblical two-kingdom teaching and a structured approach to "caring for our own", thereby preserving the Social Security Exemption.

Galatians 6:2 - “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

John 18:36 - “My Kingdom is not of this world...”

Matthew 25:40 - “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Romans 12:13 - “Distributing to the necessity of saints;
given to hospitality.”

Vision

The vision and purpose is to promote a brotherhood mutual aid program that strengthens our convictions on social security issues and meets social aid challenges among us. This includes a four-fold mission:

1. Provide Biblical stewardship teaching and materials on issues surrounding social security and mutual aid.

2. Preserve our Form 4029 exemption (Members of recognized religious groups file Form 4029 to apply for exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes) and maintain communication with churches and the government on social security issues.

3. Manage accountability that encourages participants to invest a portion of their annual income (including IRA funds) throughout their working years for use in their elderly years.

4. Manage a broad-based, collective mutual aid fund for distinct types of economic hardships such as disability, becoming widowed, housing needs, and catastrophic healthcare.

Mutual Aid Teaching

Anabaptist Brotherhood provides teaching materials, articles, and resources on social security issues to promote brotherhood mutual aid, the two-kingdom principle, and bearing one another’s burdens.

These teaching materials promote an interdependent mindset of mutual aid rather than an individualistic, independent mentality. They are designed to be used by the local church leaders through varied forms of teaching and discussion such as preaching, Sunday school, and related instructional meetings.

Anabaptist Brotherhood provides a teacher/speaker to help churches understand how the organization’s program intersects with the local church to enable and facilitate “caring for our own.” This includes one or two meetings with a church leadership or congregation to explain the organization’s program features and benefits.

Social Security Exemption

Anabaptist Brotherhood provides information and teaching about the Social Security Exemption, IRS Form 4029.

This includes the history of the Amish church’s efforts in appealing to the government and the long journey in obtaining the Social Security Exemption. It answers questions about which types of churches are eligible for exemption, and the expectations and parameters of individuals.

We are committed to help churches fully understand their responsibilities and be faithful to the intentions of Social Security exemption.

Board of Directors:

Merle Herr

Meadville, PA
Unaffiliated Mennonite

Merle Herr and his wife Amy have been married for thirty - one years and have five children and one grandchild. Merle resides in northwestern Pennsylvania and is a member of an Anabaptist church, Meadville Mennonite Chapel. He founded AgSalt Processing and h as served as its CEO since 1989. He co - founded Anabaptist Financial and served as its executive officer for twelve years. He currently leads business consultants, seminars, and workshops serving thousands of clients across the U.S. In addition Merle is the co - founder of various nonprofits such as Open Hands (2009), Anabaptist Savings and Loans International (2018), and most recently Anabaptist Brotherhood (2021). He has served on various boards, including chairman at Faith Builders Educational Programs.

Mark Martin

Lititz, PA
Weaverland Conference

Mark serves as Administrator for Weaverland Financial Aid. He has operated Martin’s Tax Service for over 25 years. Assist with bookkeeping at Superior Trusses LLC. He serves on the Board for Clinic for Special Children as treasurer, and he is on the Advisory Board for Anabaptist Financial and Fraud Aware. His goal is to help portray Christ thru his life and assist others in Financial well-being as they struggle with debt.

Ivan Hochstetler

Berlin, OH
Amish

Ivan is a Holmes County native, having lived near Berlin all his life. He and his wife Mary have 7 children and 13 grandchildren. They are members of the Amish Church. Ivan, along with his brothers, sons, and assorted nephews are woodworkers, owning and operating Hochstetler Wood and HW Chair. He has served on the board of directors of Beistand, an organization providing financial education and assistance to the Amish community, and numerous other local, not-for-profit endeavors. He enjoys spending time with family and working outdoors.

Loren Strickler

Annville, PA
Pilgrim Conference

Loren and his wife Cheryl live in Lebanon PA. They have 9 children and 6 grandchildren. He serves as a deacon at Providence Mennonite Church in Grantville, PA. Loren is a partner in eMyPeople LLC, and manages a family business, Cedar Hill Lawn Service.

David Martin

Richland, PA
Home Mennonite Fellowship

David serves as Deacon for Rehrersburg Mennonite Church with Hope Mennonite Fellowship. He served on the boards for Christian Light Publication in Virginia, Mennonite Air Missions in Guatemala, Anabaptist Financial and Open Hands. He also does financial advising for Stewardship Resources. His goal is to be an encouragement and blessing to others and Honor and Glorify God in his life.

David Troyer

Mifflinburg, PA
Beachy Amish Mennonite

For many years, Dave has had a great interest in helping develop a program for the church to help and serve each other. In the past, he has been involved serving with Choice Books, disability ministries, and on the church school board. Dave has worked in construction most of his life and has done residential framing for the past 33 years. Spending time with his wife, family, and friends, working in the garden, and helping men grow closer to God are things he enjoys doing. He and his wife have five children, plus grandchildren scattered throughout the states.

Thomas Mast

Administrator
Nappanee, IN
Beachy Amish Mennonite

Thomas enjoys the dialog and discussion that has to happen in the development and work of Anabaptist Brotherhood. Otherwise, he and his wife fill their life with their 6 boys, their families, and God’s kingdom work. Thomas grew up in mission work, in El Salvador, serves in various capacities in charity work, lives in Indiana, and is fond of wood, tools, traveling, children, grandchildren and Christian Brotherhood.

AboutAnabaptist Brotherhood