A friend recently told me, “Rather than Bosnia becoming more like America, America is becoming a lot more like Bosnia.” Bosnians look onto the vicious exchanges between political parties in the U.S. with a certain amount of grief. Although many feel that the West has made a lot of harmful mistakes in the Balkan region, they strongly prefer American leadership in the world to an autocratic Russian or Chinese influence. While we grieve and become frustrated about social fragmentation in the U.S. and rhetoric that dehumanizes people, our Bosnian friends often remind us of what is so great about America and why its ideals, although imperfectly enacted, are desperately needed in the world today.

Who is Jesus? Both Christians and Muslims believe in Jesus and revere him highly. But how do Christianity and Islam differ in regard to Jesus’s identity? How do they agree? And how should Muslims and Christians relate to one another given these similarities and differences? In order to have open conversation about Jesus, we assembled this panel to help us understand his identity from the perspective of both faiths and address common questions. 

It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved founding President Rick Love left this earth in the early hours of Sunday, December 29, 2019. We grieve with his beautiful family, who were able to be with him during the last days of his life. We find solace that he has joined the Prince of Peace, Jesus, the one he spent his life following. 

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.