When people ask, “What does Peace Catalyst do?” I typically say, “We create safe spaces for people to get to know each other.” Usually that means getting Christians and Muslims in the same room, but over the years that has expanded to other groups joining us too. When storms come and people start saying hateful things about those we’ve met and care about, perhaps we won’t be led down a path of hate and isolation. Perhaps we’ll have friends in this demonized group and will feel compelled to nuance the arguments. Perhaps we’ll be brave enough to stand with the marginalized and defend them. Perhaps we’ll catalyze peace.

How can religious tourism and peacemaking go together? In a place like Bosnia, where the negative impacts of division, conflict, and war are tangible, travelers can’t avoid being confronted with the violent past. When that happens, there’s a choice about how to engage with the past, and to either contribute to peace or division.

Our Bosnia “Catalyze” peacemaking trip wrapped up a couple weeks ago after an exhilarating and rewarding 10 days filled with new relationships, dialogue, history, and learning across religious and ethnic differences.

Just over a week ago I enjoyed a delicious Uyghur meal with friends who are refugees to the U.S. from China. We came together to learn, to celebrate culture, and to discover what connects us all as human beings.

Every year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st. The United Nations declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace.

As Peace Catalysts we're celebrating the day and taking the opportunity to strengthen our resolve to do everything we can to work for peace between Christians and Muslims in our communities and world. Will you join us? 

How can I be a peacemaker when I wake up so anxious each morning? Does this happen to you? I can go right to sleep at night, but about 4:30 something wakes me up. These are stressful times, when anxieties can run high, but here are 4 practices that can help.

The news has been full of debate about what it means to be a good citizen and leader. Accusations of racism and nationalism are leveled against some, while accusations of hating America are leveled against others. 

At Peace Catalyst, our goal is to build peace between Christians and Muslims, and what better way to make peace while spreading the word about the Uyghur genocide in China than to do it in partnership with the American Chinese Church?

I have to ask this question because sometimes I think that we can equate criticism or accountability with hatred and not love. But when we love someone we want to see them at their best and living up to the values they proclaim. We want them to thrive, and we want them to live in light of whom God has created and called them to be, which can often mean holding them accountable to the principles and standards they have professed or proclaimed a desire to uphold.