GOSHEN, Indiana – Coinciding with the Everence® 75th anniversary, Herald Press is releasing a new book about the organization’s storied history. The book release marks the beginning of a year-long observance of how the Everence community has put faith into action for three quarters of a century.
Written by historian John D. Roth, Ph.D., Where the People Go tells the story of Anabaptist-Mennonite efforts to enable and empower communal forms of mutual aid, stewardship and generosity – deeply embedded values in the Christian Anabaptist faith tradition – as expressed in the emergence and growth in Everence as an organization.
Originally known as Mennonite Mutual Aid, the organization began in 1945, founded on the principle of sharing within a growing Mennonite denomination. The organization quickly grew, shifting its focus from mutual aid to stewardship and generosity, symbolized by a growing emphasis on socially responsible investment programs, holistic health and comprehensive financial services. Over the course of its history, leaders balanced spiritual commitments with an increasingly complex regulatory environment, national changes to health care, shifting sensibilities of customers and members, and organizational complexities of a multifaceted company.
Roth, who researched and gathered information for the book from the extensive Everence archives and interviews, brings the dynamic Everence story to life. The author and editor of several books, Roth also serves as Professor of History at Goshen College, director of the Mennonite Historical Library, and editor of The Mennonite Quarterly Review.
Available in both paperback and e-book formats, Where the People Go may be purchased from Herald Press and other booksellers.
Everence will formally kick off its 75th anniversary observance with a virtual event on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 3 p.m. (EDT). More information about the anniversary and Everence is available at everence.com/75years.
About Herald Press
The trade book imprint of MennoMedia, an agency of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, Herald Press is a Christian publisher known for transformative books on reconciliation, community, discipleship, mission, spirituality, theology, and Amish and Mennonite life and faith. To learn more, visit heraldpress.com or call 800-245-7894.
About Everence
Everence helps individuals, organizations and congregations integrate finances with faith through a national team of professionals. Everence offers banking, insurance and financial services with community benefits and stewardship education. To learn more, visit everence.com or call 800-348-7468.