JAPAS emerged in 2013 from doctoral student and Beachy Amish-Mennonite adherent Cory Anderson’s recognition that gaps exist in Amish studies research and lack of outlets to publish Amish-focused journal articles. Joseph Donnermeyer, Anderson’s doctoral mentor, joined him as a founding co-editor.

The subsequent organization of the Amish & Plain Anabaptist Studies Association expanded scholar networks and plain Anabaptist participation through annual conferences, a book review committee staffed by plain people, near-monthly webinars, and rich communications such as listservs and an informative website.

A core mission of JAPAS is focusing on facilitating debate about dominant paradigms across Amish studies in order to advance theoretical assumptions and broaden the voices involved.

In particular, from 2017-19, JAPAS and its editors empirically demonstrated a monopolistic centrality of Amish studies knowledge production. Responding with predictable protectionism, Young Center scholars Donald Kraybill and Steven Nolt started a replica journal claiming to be JAPAS’s successor, as if attempting to replace JAPAS and restore all major forms of knowledge production to the Young Center.

JAPAS continues as a strong publication appreciated for its role in motivating future scholarly participation, input from plain people, and broad-based inclusive spirit.