Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Mennonite Disaster Service

The Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network through which various groups within the Anabaptist tradition assist people affected by disasters in North America. The organization was founded in 1950 and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1993.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
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375 w
Citations
12
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Mennonite Disaster Service
Formation1950
Founded1950
FocusDisaster Relief
Location
Region served
United States, Canada[3]
Key people
Kevin King, Executive Director12
Revenue$2,870,251 [1]
Employees11 [1]
Volunteers3,000+
Websitehttps://mds.org

The Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network through which various groups within the Anabaptist tradition assist people affected by disasters in North America.3 The organization was founded in 1950 and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1993.

The MDS currently involves more than 3,000 members of the Mennonite, Amish and Brethren in Christ churches (BIC).456 The primary focus of the service is cleanup, repair, and the rebuilding of homes.7 The work of the group supplements the disaster relief provided by the Red Cross.89 The Mennonite Disaster Service also works closely with Mennonite Central Committee.[4]

A quarterly newsletter called Behind the Hammer is published.10

The volunteer amateur radio group Mennonet provides communication services for MDS.1112 Radio equipment was first deployed by MDS in 1960.[4]

References

References

  1. "Charity Report - Mennonite Disaster Service - give.org". charityreports.bbb.org. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  2. "Staff | Mennonite Disaster Service". Retrieved 2009-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. "Home - Mennonite Disaster Service". Mennonite Disaster Service. Archived from the original on 1 June 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  4. "History | Mennonite Disaster Service". Retrieved 2009-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Kraybill, Donald (2001). The Riddle of Amish Culture. Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 157–158. ISBN 0-8018-6772-X.
  6. Wittlinger, Carlton (1978). Quest for Piety and Obedience: The Story of the Brethren in Christ. Evangel Press. p. 529. ISBN 0-916035-05-0.
  7. "Mennonite Disaster Service" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  8. "Mennonite Disaster Service — GAMEO". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  9. https://www.crossnet.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_300_,00.html
  10. "Newsletter | Mennonite Disaster Service". Retrieved 2009-05-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. "News Releases Archives - Hesston College". Hesston College. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  12. Detweiler, Lowell (2000). The Hammer Rings Hope: Photos and Stories from Fifty Years of Mennonite Disaster Service. Herald Press. p. 63. ISBN 0-8361-9110-2.
Further reading

Further reading

  • Detweiler, Lowell (2000) The Hammer Rings Hope: Photos and Stories from Fifty Years of Mennonite Disaster Service. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-9110-2
  • Wiebe, Katie Funk (1976) Day of Disaster. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-1793-X
  • Wiebe, Vernon (1960) Handbook for Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteers. Kansas: Mennonite Disaster Service. ASIN B0007G0VG0.
External links