Correspondence, mss. of writings, reports, minutes, student and teacher notes, research notes, sermons, audiotapes, films, artifacts, photos, and other papers, relating chiefly to Bender's involvement in the Mennonite Church in the United States and abroad, and his research on Anabaptist and Mennonite history and faith. Includes papers relating to activities as a student at Princeton Theological Seminary and University of Heidelberg, professor of church history and the Bible, and dean of Goshen College, his involvement with Goshen Biblical Seminary, work on behalf of the historical, peace, education, relief, and service efforts of various boards and committees of the Mennonite Church, visits to Mennonites in the Soviet Union and his efforts to assist them in emigrating to Brazil and Paraguay (1929-1934), assistance to conscientious objectors in participating in civilian public service in the U.S. (1941-1947), relief and reconstruction efforts in Europe during and after World War II, collecting of historical manuscripts, and travels to Europe (1929, 1940, and 1947-1948), Soviet Union (1929 and 1956), and South America (1930 and 1938).
