35

Anabaptist/Mennonite
Jennifer Ulrich, Eastern Mennonite University, Secretary

MEMBERS PRESENT 

• Karl Stutzman, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
• John Shaffett, Shorter University
• Timothy Erdel, Missionary Church Historical Society
• Jennifer Ulrich, Eastern Mennonite University

A small group met on June 22, 2021, via Zoom: Karl Stutzman, 
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary; John Shaffett, Shorter 
University; Timothy Erdel, Missionary Church Historical Society, 
and Jennifer Ulrich, Eastern Mennonite University.

We chatted about how each institution handled the school year 
and COVID-19 related issues.  Classes took place online, some face to 
face, and some hybrid methods as well.  Some of our libraries were 
busy (even being used as a café) and others were quieter.  People 
are starting to come back into the buildings, and it has been good to 
see people again.

Tim told us about a collection of materials and artifacts they took 
over. It is a collection that includes written materials and artifacts 
from the various iterations of a school that was at different times 
called The Bethany Bible Institute, The Bible School of the Missionary 
Church Association, The Missionary Church Association Bible Train-
ing School, The M.C.A. Bible Institute, The Bible Training School, Fort 
Wayne Bible Training School, Fort Wayne Bible Institute, Fort Wayne 
Bible College, Summit Christian College, and Taylor University Fort 

DENOMINATIONAL  
GROUP MEETINGS



36  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

Wayne.  It was best known as Fort Wayne Bible College. It began in 
Bluffton, Ohio (before Bluffton College) on November 1, 1895, and 
closed in May 2009 in Fort Wayne. Taylor University Upland did take 
most of the materials from the Taylor University Fort Wayne time 
period (1992-2009), but not all.

 
Karl shared about an Indiana State Library LSTA grant to the 

Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI), which is for 
digitizing last copies of books in PALNI libraries.  AMBS will be taking 
advantage of this grant.

2020–21 GROUP: [pictured, left to right] Jennifer Ulrich, John Shaffett, Karl 
Stutzman, Timothy Erdel