Authors and editors will be present at a celebration and book-signing from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, at Martin Chapel in the seminary building. The book will also be available at the and from .

��Making a Difference in the Journey features 15 Mennonite and Church of the Brethren writers who tell their stories “with candor” and “a good dose of self-effacement and humility, providing a delightful read and giving hope for the future,” writes Richard L. Benner in the book’s introduction.

The 15 authors, many of whom are alumni of 91����Ƶ and/or Eastern Mennonite Seminary, include Robert Earl Alley, Martin Lehman, Fred W. Swartz, Beryl H. Brubaker, Joe Lapp, W. Robert McFadden, Lee M. Yoder, Doug Hostetter, Paul Swarr, Rick Yoder, Dick L. Benner, Larry Hoover, Allon H. Lefever, Peggy B. Shenk and Shirley H. Showalter.

“These are leaders whose different ways of serving enriched and, indeed, saved the lives of many,” said Nancy V. Lee, the managing editor. “Like the earlier volumes, this volume is a historical 91����Ƶ treasure, providing, as it does, the memoirs of men and women, many related to 91����Ƶ through their tumultuous years as students, professors, administrators, pastors, writers and overseas directors.”

In addition to Benner’s introduction, the book includes an editor’s preface by Lee, the series editor’s preface by , a foreword by Lee F. Snyder, and an appendix by .

Making a Difference in the Journey describes “the series of events — often awakenings — that led [the storytellers] to high positions of responsibility and resulting actions,” said Lee.

In her foreword, Snyder writes that each contributed story includes “all the elements of a good read: suspense, outrageous encounters, and examples of courage and uncommon grace. What moves me about these stories is a sustained sense of awe in life’s unfolding surprises…. This is wisdom literature, offerings by sages, creative thinkers, professionals in the trenches, individuals called to second and third careers.” Snyder is president emeritus of Bluffton University and has held numerous roles including an interim presidency at 91����Ƶ.

The book series developed as ACRS members began telling each other their stories at the group’s monthly meetings, according to series editor Ray C. Gingerich, professor emeritus of theology and ethics and founding director of ACRS.

“We said, ‘We’ve got to write this stuff up,’” Gingerich said. “That gave birth to the first two volumes. It was never intended to become the flagship of ACRS, but it has become our most prominent identity.”

ACRS is “a community of elders with an Anabaptist perspective” that meets monthly during the academic year, according to their website.

Learn more about the series

The Geography of Our Faith series includes three previous volumes,: Making Sense of the Journey, , and .