Our People: Holdeman Mennonite Stories Our People Podcast

In this episode of "Our People Podcast," we dive deep into the fascinating life and legacy of John Holdeman, the founder of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Our host is joined by Dennis Goossen, a CPA by profession and a passionate historian with extensive knowledge of Holdeman's life and the broader historical context of his time.

Key Discussion Points:


Introduction to the Episode:


Introduction of the guest, Dennis Goossen, his background, and his passion for history.


Setting the Historical Context:


Discussion on the early 1800s, providing a backdrop to John Holdeman's life.
Exploration of the social, economic, and religious climate of the time.


Early Life of John Holdeman:


Insights into Holdeman's upbringing and the factors that influenced his religious journey.
The impact of his family's faith and the communities he was part of.


Founding of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite:


The motivations behind Holdeman's decision to establish a new denomination.
Key beliefs and doctrines that set the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite apart from other Anabaptist groups.


Challenges and Controversies:


Examination of the challenges Holdeman faced, including opposition from other religious groups.
Controversies surrounding his teachings and how he addressed them.


Legacy and Impact:


The lasting influence of John Holdeman on the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.
Reflections on his contributions to Anabaptist theology and practice.


Personal Reflections:


Dennis Goossen shares his personal insights and reflections on studying Holdeman's life.
Anecdotes and lesser-known stories about Holdeman's personal life and character.


Conclusion:


Summarizing the key takeaways from the episode.
Encouragement for listeners to explore more about John Holdeman and his legacy.



Listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of John Holdeman's life, his religious convictions, and the enduring legacy of the church he founded. ​





Follow us on Facebook:

⁠⁠https://rb.gy/cj55td⁠⁠

Subscribe on Spotify:

⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490⁠⁠

Subscribe on YouTube:

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast⁠⁠

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045⁠

In this episode of "Our People Podcast," Sylvia Baize narrates her life's journey from Brazil to Arizona, sharing her experiences with faith, family, and adoption.

As a Holdeman Mennonite, Sylvia faced significant challenges and judgment from her religious community, particularly regarding her decision to adopt children, including a son with special needs. Her story highlights the struggle against rigid community expectations and the transformative impact of finding a more supportive community in Arizona. Sylvia discusses her spiritual growth, the journey to adopt her children against community pressures, and her eventual move to a congregation that embraced and supported her family's choices. This episode offers a profound look at resilience, the power of supportive communities, and the courage to live one's truth through faith.

Sylvia's book, It Was Meant to Be: https://a.co/d/4qXlQze





Follow us on Facebook:

⁠https://rb.gy/cj55td⁠

Subscribe on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490⁠

Subscribe on YouTube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast⁠

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045

In this episode of the Our People Podcast, Dennis Goossen tells how his life's story entered and then exited the Holdeman church, Church of God in Christ Mennonite. He begins by describing his conversion experience and joining the church. Then he tells about a faith crisis and subsequent reconsecration in his late teens. From there, he married and started a family within the church. Finally, he describes his involvement in an effort to reform the more legalistic aspects of the church which resulted in a letter called "A Plea For Revival". He was subsequently excommunicated, expelled, after church authorities demanded that he recant and retract the letter. Finally, he describes building a life after the Holdeman church and his latest project, forming a Christian school.

A Plea For Revival Letter: https://bit.ly/4bQulcG




If Dennis' story resonates with you or you have your own story to share, consider joining us as a guest to further this vital conversation. Reach out to us at ⁠OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com⁠ with your thoughts or suggestions for future interviews.

Follow us on Facebook:

https://rb.gy/cj55td

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490

Subscribe on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045

In this deeply personal episode of "Our People Podcast," Lewis delves into his spiritual journey, exploring the shifts in his faith that have significantly impacted his personal and familial relationships. From his early days rooted in traditional Holdeman Mennonite religious teachings to his present-day embrace of a more fluid and open-minded spirituality, Lewis discusses the challenges and revelations that have marked his path.
Lewis opens up about the transformative power of doubt and dialogue in his life. He shares insights from his explorations of scripture, myths, and the profound lessons he has gleaned from the complexities of theological debates. Throughout the episode, Lewis reflects on the impact of these spiritual evolutions on his family dynamics, detailing the delicate balance of maintaining bonds despite differing beliefs.
This episode is not just a journey through Lewis' spiritual evolution but also a meditation on the nature of belief, the importance of inclusivity in faith communities, and the ongoing quest for personal and communal harmony. Listeners will be invited to reconsider their own beliefs, the importance of open conversation, and the value of embracing uncertainty in the spiritual journey.
Join us as Lewis provides a candid look at his life's struggles and triumphs, offering up his story as a testament to the power of faith, the strength of family, and the freedom that comes from seeking truth on one's own terms.

This episode contains frank discussion of childhood sexual abuse.

If Lewis' story resonates with you or you have your own story to share, consider joining us as a guest to further this vital conversation. Reach out to us at ⁠OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com⁠ with your thoughts or suggestions for future interviews.




Follow us on Facebook:

⁠https://rb.gy/cj55td⁠

Subscribe on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490⁠

Subscribe on YouTube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast⁠

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045

In this episode of "Our People Podcast," we delve into the life and experiences of Monica from the Carrot River congregation of Church of God in Christ Mennonite. Monica shares her early life on a Canadian farm and the predestined path to her baptism at age 14 into this deeply traditional Holdeman Mennonite community. As she grew older, critical events—including the tragic death of peers and a family move—spurred profound shifts in her beliefs and feelings toward her faith. Monica candidly discusses the pressures and struggles that came with conforming to church expectations, her battle with mental health, and the eventual, liberating decision to leave the church. This episode, "A Voice from Carrot River," explores Monica's journey of self-discovery, her efforts to redefine her spirituality, and the ongoing process of healing from religious trauma.


If Monica's story resonates with you or you have your own story to share, consider joining us as a guest to further this vital conversation. Reach out to us at ⁠OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com⁠ with your thoughts or suggestions for future interviews.




Follow us on Facebook:

⁠https://rb.gy/cj55td⁠

Subscribe on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490⁠

Subscribe on YouTube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast⁠

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045

In this episode of the Our People Podcast, titled "Cam's Story of Building an Honest Life," we delve into the life journey of Cam Isaac. Now residing in northern Alberta, Canada, Cam reflects on his life's narrative, emphasizing his evolution from adhering to external expectations to embracing a life grounded in honesty and self-acceptance.
Raised in the deeply rooted Holdeman mennonite farming congregation in Crooked Creek, Alberta, Cam shares his upbringing in a congregation with a legacy spanning nearly a century. He discusses the complexities of growing up as the eldest child in a Holdeman community, where he adopted the "good boy" persona to secure approval and avoid conflict. However, this facade led him to a cycle of dishonesty—masking his true self to fit the mold expected by the church, his community.
Cam’s turning point came with his decision to leave the Holdeman faith, a move that reshaped his relationships and his sense of self. He openly discusses the challenges and liberation that came with breaking free from the religious and social expectations that had defined much of his life. This journey of self-discovery is punctuated by his diagnosis of cancer and a heart condition, which he sees not as a setback but as an opportunity for profound personal growth and reassessment of his life’s priorities.
Throughout the episode, Cam emphasizes the power of authenticity, the peace that comes with living true to one's self, and the importance of unconditional love, even when it means standing alone. His story is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the transformative power of living a life aligned with one's deepest truths.

If Cam's story resonates with you or you have your own story to share, consider joining us as a guest to further this vital conversation. Reach out to us at ⁠ourpeoplepodcastteam@gmail.com⁠ with your thoughts or suggestions for future interviews.




Follow us on Facebook:

⁠https://rb.gy/cj55td⁠

Subscribe on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490⁠

Subscribe on YouTube:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast⁠

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045