Thanks for sharing your story. Ours is very similar. I’ll never forget the day. My 12 year-old twins met me behind the barn and they just got very personal with me about leaving the Amish and they knew our story and how God it’s spoken to us through that journey and it made a big impact on our boys life, just wrap in my arms and we just cried together. It was so moving so hard to see your kids struggle through that but in the same sense I feel like it brought an understanding to their lives on what it means to have a mom and dad that are living out what they believe is truth and that we take a stand for our faith.

This is so beautiful and just what what my heart needed at this time. Love how you said how we need to give each other space and also we cannot choose how others will respond to our decisions but we can choose how we respond to their response! Can’t wait to listen to your q and a

Your Godly counsel about relationships is so important in this cancel culture. Thank you for sharing. ❤️🙏❤️

Thanks for sharing your story! I look forward to hearing more!

You two are adorbies. Wow. You really pulled this one off very,very well. Very well done and said!! I agree....you were soo gentle and kind about it. If I were to make a video about the same topic, I am not sure what it would be like, but I probably would have a harder time staying as cool,calm and gentle as what you two did!! Maybe its because even though I am no longer affiliating with the previous group I was in,i am still not completely removed from fire and storm of it. We just have to keep living,keep loving,and try not to get too retraumatized by it all,when we aren't yet as far away from it as what would be ideal to be. I would appreciate your prayers. It blesses me so much to know there is others who feel similarly about conservative church results as I do. I think its either 1. Intentional and older generations think its what holds a body of believers together or 2. It's an idea gone too long and the results are turning out differently then what JESUS expects in His word!! This is a bit of a sensitive topic,because there are so many convinced in their way, and that's ok I guess, but for those of us who are convicted differently by direct words from the bible,it makes it a challenge to know what we should do.

Not only give space, but give grace. Thats so important.

Hi Joel and Marlene, I just want to say that you 2 are such an incredible young Christian couple. I just found your channel this evening and have listened to the last 4 videos in your collection. The love that you have for each other just radiates from your faces when you look at each other. Just subscribed and looking forward to your future videos.

Love everything you said! Coming from a Mennonite background in Mexico my family and I have been through something similar! I would just like to add to never trust religion for salvation everyone has to work out their own salvation and it’s not religion it’s Jesus who died and rose from the cross to put our faith and trust in him for everlasting life 🙏

Two beautiful souls living faith ☦️⚓❤️

My y’all that wasn’t easy but thanku much! It makes sense an y’all are so gentle🤍

As much as your kind videos have blessed me, I want to return a blessing in some small way if I can,by saying keep in the will of God,thank him for deeper understanding- for more understanding- of more of his word, and let's lift up in prayer together the work of the Lord,that He will bring his believers together into a place of fellowship,relationship,and truth as we work to rework out what Christianity IS! HOW does it get sidetracked? I don't know,but it does. And that is stressful to the heart that isn't on board with a sidetracked idea of what is right. Is it a human thing or is it coming from the leaders or is it just some wonky deep entrenchment? I don't know,but I keep lifting it up to God in prayer for solutions. He is the ultimate answer!! I will keep you in my prayers. You two are gems of precious stone. Keep looking to Jesus through prayer and through his word!! Keep going!! Bless you,dear brother and sister! The Lord is on our side! He looks for us who wait upon him and are truly searching for his truth. He loves us so much! You've rekindled a fire in my heart. Thank you! God through you,of course.stay in the way! I'd love to be privileged to meet you sometime. " I, being in the way,the Lord led me." Let's keep seeking,searching,asking,trusting,knocking,waiting,patiently praying, and giving it over to the Lord! He cares about these things,too. It MATTERS ALOT! We are responsible for our beliefs,words,actions,attitudes,spirit,and behavior. I agree! Yes,we will answer to God for how we treated our fellow humans! Are any of us perfect? No not one. But we are each called to do our personal best,and we can't judge another. I am always inspired by others who are so gentle. I realize I can be gentler,too. I am glad you are seeking the Lord! Love you guys!!!!

Your faith is strong, thats your guide.

Thank you for sharing how difficult it was to separate from your Amish & Mennonite culture (religion). I feel for you both! It is very easy for us all to live by the doctrine’s & commandments of men thinking we’re living for God when in actual fact we’re not pleasing or living for God but living for men’s ways, their practices & their commandments. Were to prove everything by God’s Word and be strong in the power of His might to stand against those ways that are not His ways. So often people follow traditions of men. Jesus hated that even in His day! You are brave people to come out from underneath doing religious life the way you were being told it should be lived. We are free to question, we are free to ask for God’s ways. In the end as you say we must all stand before God and give an account to Him. I’m all for living for Jesus and following Him & being faithful to Him. I haven’t always done that but I know I’m getting better through His help to live through Him & to walk worthy of Him. This can only be achieved as we get into His Word and see for ourselves how we’re meant to walk in this life bringing honour to Him. Grace & Truth came through Jesus. We keep our eyes fixed upon Him because He is the author & finisher of our faith. He never leaves us or fails us. I think you’ve got the right focus now …..it’s following Jesus. I’ll be praying for the Amish & Mennonite communities as they have so many blessings which I admire but if those blessings in this life leave out the grace of God & seek to please God through keeping law or men’s commandments then one will soon realise we can’t live that way, but that we’re justified as a free gift by faith in Jesus to all those who believe (Rom 3:22, Gal 2:16) and this gift of righteousness is received apart from the Law (Rom 3:21). Sin will not be master over us BECAUSE we’re not under the Law but under Grace (Rom 6:14). We’re freed from the Law & its curses from not keeping them because we died to it in Jesus & we serve in newness of the Spirit now and not in oldness of the letter (Rom 7:6). We’re encouraged to live according to the Spirit & not according to the flesh & put to death the deeds of the body & we will live! (Rom 8:13,14). A challenge indeed but it can be done through His Holy Spirit that lives in us. He helps our weaknesses (Rom 8:26). Praying your lives are enriched with many Godly friends, & that God surrounds you with His comfort, care & strength as you navigate this next part of your walk with God. Keep your eyes on Jesus & in His Word.

We can relate to much of what has been said here. We're not of Amish or Mennonite background but this is an area that we have similarly been experiencing as a family.

We have a good friend who came out of the Mennonite church. She has been freed from so many man-made rules. A true relationship with Jesus gives us freedom!

Very good video and please be reassured in the journey you are on and seeking to go forward. You are a lovely beautiful couple. Take care.❤

well done both of you Dont let the past be a guilt trip . I am 85 and experienced what you have been through. Christ Jesus has paid the price for our sins on the cross and set us free. He left the power of the comforter The Holy Spirit for us to call on so that we understand the beautiful words of the Bible to work in our hearts for our benefit and to help others around us specially those who do not know God. Love you both and God Bless You both Believe now You are joined in one flesh Let no one part you. GOD LOVES YOU BOTH.

Oh wow. You left both? I can understand leaving the Amish due to the Ordnung sometimes being too strict as well as the things like needing certain amount of buttons on clothes or such. I am surprised you'd leave the Mennonites though, but maybe because one of you came from a very strict conservative group, that would make sense too. Thanks for sharing your journey. I am sure it was really hard for you to make that choices and deal with your family through that. I am glad your relationships with your family have thrived since leaving. It was great learning about you two some more! :) I am of the Mosaic Mennonite conference, and we are not typical Mennonite by looks standards, but definitely by ideals (the thoughts of Anabaptist political stances, the Sermon on the Mount, etc). You can find less conservative Mennonite churches that will understand your ideals more than a lot of non-denominational churches (for instance, some of non-denominational churches carry concealed guns for security or teach to vote and be in the military). It is really interesting that you are still wearing head coverings and have an Amish style facial hair despite leaving it all. I mean, I did NOT grow up Mennonite (my dad was in the Army even) but have been one for a decade now. I will never be anything else but I grew up in a non-denominational church!

Amazing video. ❤

I hope one day they there will be a movement in the Amish community, why can’t they change, they shouldn’t care who wants to date who, and they should be more open to giving you choices on what you do with your life. It’s probably never going to but who knows, but i can see God working through both of you. I hope one day they change their policies.

Yes, the Bible tells us to speak the truth in love. It also says to restore our fallen brothers/sisters in love. Praying for someone is much better than talking to other people about them and their immaturity or lack of understanding of the scriptures. Only the Holy Spirit can illuminate the truth of God's Word to their understanding. I love how you speak in a way that extends grace to others.

Would you be willing to comment on what the issues were that brought you to the point of leaving the Mennonite church? Thanks and God bless. I really was encouraged by your testimony and humility.

I was wondering if I could possibly email you a question that I have. It’s a little lengthy of a question but I feel you would be able to point me in the correct direction. If not that’s fine too. There’s been a couple things I’ve been really seeking the Lord about concerning church discipline, and headship order that I believe you would be able to give me more insight on than what I have considering your background. God bless you and your journey , and thank you for sharing your story with the world ❤

I'm not Amish or a Mennonite but you both as a couple are just adorable !!! I have a question... so when your family made the decision to leave the Amish way of life, does that mean that u are not able to contact your family that remains in the Amish community?? I love hearing your story and hearing of how your faith in Heavenly father has carried you thru.

Great job telling your story with grace. Do the mennonites shun those who leave like the Amish do?

Here from the Aluzimbi’s

🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

I live in the south .We have Mennonite churches here.There saved and not strick no different as a baptism. What chuech do you attend now?

Leaving a church community is highly painful. Especially when you love the people but the leadership is violating the scriptures. I’m grateful your parent’s strength to leave. The pain of leaving those you love is hard but the pain of going against your conscience is even worse.

Thankyou so much for sharing… me and my husband both grew up Amish, joined the beachy Mennonites a little before we were married and within the last year we have left the Mennonites and attend a nondenominational church. So glad I happened upon your video. Keep shining for Jesus🤍

My wife and I left a conservative Mennonite church 35 years ago when we were young married, over an increasing understanding of biblical doctrine. I was very curious to know why you left the Mennonite church, and somewhat disappointed that you didn’t give a reason for your leaving during this video. Was it because of a different understanding of Christian doctrine, or why did you leave?

Where do you go to church now?

Are you the only one at your church wearing a veil? Or does everyone.

What for church do you go to

Ihr verleugnet ja nicht euer Erbe, ihr schätzt es wert auf drm weg den ihr geht

Hi, I am Doug from Australia. You are a fine looking couple. May the God of the universe pour out blessings upon you and guide you to the narrow and cramped road that leads to salvation and everlasting life. I was in a similar position as you, and now over 60 years ago I heeded the advice given in the bible, Revelation 18 , read all of it , it's food for thought. See if you can relate to it. Verse 4 says, And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. 5 For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice* to mind. To be able to get a better understanding of the bible, you need a most accurate translation. The one I and my family are using is the New World Translation of the holy scriptures, available in many different Languages, including the German language spoken by your people.. Peace be with you, Doug.

I need to hear of your dating, wedding, Baby!!😊

I don't understand why you could serve God and remain Amish, from my experience with talking with people in similar situations real all you did was sever relationships, culture is vary important, I can tell you from growing up in protestant church's, it's vary lonely..

Read the Bible love Jesus

Why still wear a partial headcovering, then? Is that a way of signaling that you're still kind of conservative Anabaptist? For many, this is just part of a journey that takes them out of faith altogether, or into the Protestant / Evangelicals who typically live by their theology and personal experiences rather than living a Christlike, apostolic lifestyle in a separate culture of love, faith, surrender, and obedience. 11:20 If it's just going to be between you and God, then why do the elders also have to give account for your souls? (Heb. 13:17) Protestant / Evangelical norms are very individualistic, and the fruit of that is described in the last verse of the book of Judges. (Martin Luther started that trend somewhere between 1518 - 1521 when he invented the Reformation pillar "sola scriptura," Scripture alone, which didn't work out well for him even with his fellow Reformer, Zwingli. The practical result of it has been described as "each man going to hell in his own way.")