In a world marked by horrific violence, rising authoritarianism, and toxic polarization driving people apart, many Christians want to be people of justice and reconciliation. Yet in the West, the church and its theology are too often known for supporting violence, not healing it. What lessons and challenges must the church in the West face if it is to truly be a source of liberation and worship in solidarity with those on the margins?

Across Peace Catalyst and in the world around us, we’ve seen many beautiful things happen in the past year. The Spirit is alive everywhere we look. But there’s also so much today—too much—that is leaving people afraid, enraged, and devastated. As peacebuilders—as people of peace, of justice, of reconciliation, of hope—what is required of us in this moment? Now is the time to hold fast to our hope in God’s promise to reconcile and make all things new, and our trust that God’s peace can and will emerge from the rubble of destruction. So how will we be doing this at Peace Catalyst in the coming year?

Peace Catalyst’s Steve Schallert and Peter Digitale Anderson talk about about how Christians—especially those of us enjoying lives of safety and stability— can shift from a posture of service to one of solidarity with oppressed communities. Drawing on Steve’s years of experience practicing and teaching solidarity in South Africa and organizing pilgrimages in solidarity with Palestinians, we explore how others’ struggle for justice and liberation is also our own, and we also explore the theology and skills that can help us truly stand for peace.

Today is a big day in the world. 

In the U.S., Donald Trump was just inaugurated for his second term as President. In the Middle East, Israel and Hamas’s ceasefire has taken effect, with both sides having released their first round of hostages. Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an American holiday honoring a civil rights leader whose legacy is celebrated across the globe. 

In a certain light, we might say that today marks a shift toward peace. But does it truly?

Right now, we find ourselves in a unique moment in our political cycle, one that will not last for long. The campaigns have ended; the votes are cast; the races have been decided. In this brief period in which Americans are catching their breath, celebrating or mourning, and coming to terms with our next four years and beyond, we have a decision to make. How do we use this pause, this break, this “reset,” to spark new possibilities? What do we do now? What will we do differently?

It has been one year since fighters from Hamas and other militant groups fired rockets and crossed the border from Gaza into Israel, brutally killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 more, ripping apart families and traumatizing the country. It has been one year since Israel retaliated with airstrikes against the crowded cities of Gaza, soon to be followed by a ground invasion and blockade that cut Gaza’s access to food and fuel. Why do we care? Why don’t we just look away and trust these far-off countries to sort it out themselves? 

The church is called to be more than it is. We Christians, the church, are called to love others fiercely, the way Jesus did.

How do we kindle the compassionate desire to love and serve our neighbors, while also learning that loving them means transformig the underlying conditions and conflicts causing harm? Learn about Peace Catalyst’s three-fold approach to community peacebuilding.

Conflict happens. Like it or not, it exists as a regular part of life, but we often struggle to handle it well. At Peace Catalyst, we want people and groups to dive into their conflict, working together to discover what new, life-giving relationships might be possible. Here’s a guide to help you do just that.