We have updated our Mission & Vision in an effort to: 1) Acknowledge the complex and interrelated issues that drive cycles of conflict so we can better address root issues in peacebuilding efforts across social divisions; and 2) Clarify the primary audience and intended beneficiaries of our work. As we step into a new chapter, we are reframing our Mission and Vision to affirm what we’ve learned and to elevate “equipping and mobilizing Christians for collaborative peacebuilding across lines of difference” as our new mission.

Our Peace Catalyst team in Seattle recently hosted its first live peacemaking event in over two years. Two local churches combined their efforts to host the local Uyghur American community in a community-wide Listening Event on the last day of the Winter Olympics. The timing was in solidarity to the worldwide Uyghur community whose concerns about holding an Olympic games in a nation where genocide is happening in real time were ignored by the IOC.

There are two competing streams of thought about CVE. The first is a more holistic version that says we need to address grievances and generate goodwill in a way that reduces violence. The second is security-driven and relies more on police powers to reduce violence. Though we subscribe to the first approach, the term “CVE” has become synonymous with the second, more coercive approach to preventing violence, and Peace Catalyst’s affiliation with the broader CVE paradigm had significant unintended consequences. Read our full statement.

This weekend we hosted an in-person discussion with Dr. Salim Munayer of Musalaha, a nonprofit working toward (and actually seeing) reconciliation in Israel-Palestine. Dr. Munayer shared with us not only about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but very wise and hard-learned insights about conflict itself and the process of reconciliation.

If you’re excited about learning Nonviolent Communication in a way that can support your desire to address larger systemic inequities in addition to supporting personal change, join us for this new eight-week training course!

To honor Rick’s legacy, to further his vision, and to raise up more peacebuilders like him, Peace Catalyst has established the Rick Love Peace Awards and is proud to present the very first recipients. These prestigious awards honor those who creatively cross divides to build peace, exhibiting the same character and courage displayed by Rick.

I believe in religious freedom for all. I believe that no one should be fearful because of the way they pray. I believe that God’s Shalom is for all, and I believe that Jesus showed us the way to live an abundant life that brings blessing to us and those around us. As we intentionally build relationships with others, not only are we following the teachings and example of Jesus, we are making our world a safer place.

On December 17th we were joined by two former violent extremists, Jesse Morton and Ryan Lo’Ree, to hear about their journeys of de-radicalization and how they are now working to build peace. They each told their personal stories and then discussed how they are using trauma-informed approaches to help bring others out of radicalized groups. They also discussed the current state of polarization in our country and how we can all build peace and help prevent radicalization and violence.

Our first ever Trauma-Sensitive Peacebuilding course has officially wrapped up! It deepened participants’ awareness of the reality of trauma in all our lives and the ways in which we can personally experience post-traumatic growth or live with courage in order to help our group move toward healing. Here’s how it went and how you can be involved in future courses.