For most people, it seems like ISIS literally exploded on the scene. But the birth of ISIS actually took a long, twisted road. This post and at least one other that I will write next week are based on two of the most well-researched books available on ISIS: ISIS: A History by Fawaz Gerges and ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror by Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan.

One of the best ways to acquire wisdom is through reading. The five books below describe Peace Catalyst International’s multifaceted approach to Jesus-centered peacemaking. Read them carefully and apply them practically to become a peace catalyst this year!  

This week's Peace Feast at Hoyo's Somali Kitchen in Columbus was a great success! We ended at 9pm and by 10:30pm we still had people talking and laughing and enjoying one another, and we've gotten responses like, “this was the best conversation I’ve had with a stranger in a while,” and “I really made friends Saturday night!” Others who weren't able to attend have asked for another event soon. 

Together we're making a difference in our world. Here are the kinds of things you make possible every day. Peace begins with us, and it begins with you. But it's multiplied when we work together. Thank you for waging peace with us and changing our world from one of hate to one of peace. Become part of the movement, and let the work continue in 2017! 

Leon Panetta, former Director of the CIA and Secretary of Defense, and Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, just launched Turning Point: A New Comprehensive Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism. Turning Point summarizes the findings of interviews about violent extremism with hundreds of experts, along with surveys conducted in Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

I went to Washington DC the week after the Presidential election. I, along with 50 others, were there for the Evangelicals for Peace consultation, “Christians Engaging Global Conflict: ISIS and Syria.” So what kind of peace did this evangelical consultation bring to DC?

The election is over. It’s time to stop talking about why our candidate is the best for our country. It’s time to reach out to friends and acquaintances in our social networks who differ from us. It’s time to start healing the divided states of America -- by demonstrating the fruit of the spirit. You will know followers of Jesus by their fruits!

The latest edition of Fuller Seminary's online Journal, all about Evangelicals and Islamophobia, features a variety of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish voices. Browse the Journal to read articles from Rick Love, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, and others, and leave your comments to let us know what you think!

For the last 7 months I have been working on a nationwide photography project called “Redefining WE.” I collaborated with [primarily] female photographers around the United States to create a collection of images that dismantles stereotypes, facilitate dialogue, and create a sense of mutuality between Muslim and Christian women.