This opening panel sets the stage for Peace Catalyst International’s virtual event series: 12 Days of Peace. Our panelists will weave together various global perspectives about the theological and ethical dimensions of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism, offering diverse, grounded perspectives on what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in such times. These speakers will challenge us to see the spiritual, political, and cultural systems we are entangled in and invite us to imagine resistance rooted in justice, liberation, and deep spiritual formation.

In today’s charged climate, we may seek to align our actions with antiracist values but may experience stress or uncertainty about how to do so effectively. In this session, participants will explore ways to intentionally nurture antiracist values in our daily lives, fostering deep internal transformation that supports meaningful action, and they will leave with a personal "Antiracist Rule of Life" to integrate these values into their life and work.

This conversation-based workshop will be a brief exploration of the history of Sabbath and how the spiritual practice has turned into a Medical Necessity. Be prepared to hear about how we have rested throughout history and how practicing Sabbath benefits peace-building efforts. We will work on establishing three ways to establish Sabbath in our everyday lives.

In a time when authoritarianism and religious nationalism are reshaping societies around the world, Christians often find themselves caught between complicity and resistance. What does it mean to follow Jesus when faith is used to justify domination, nationalism, or exclusion? And how might Christians embody a different way—the way of peace, solidarity, and hope? In this panel, we’ll hear from three Peace Catalyst team members rooted in very different contexts.

How can we name and uproot Christian nationalism in our congregations, lead and disciple our churches to resist its influence, and begin to heal the bodies and souls of those it has harmed? Join authors, scholars, and experts on the study of Christian nationalism Rev. Angela Denker and Dr. Drew Strait to learn how pastors, leaders, and concerned Christians can respond with courage and care.

Across the globe, authoritarian movements and religious nationalism are co-opting the name of Jesus to justify domination, exclusion, and violence. How should churches respond? In this session, pastor Rev. Kevin C. Brown and theologian Dr. Ruth Padilla de Borst examine how Christian Zionism and Christian nationalism overlap and diverge—and next steps for congregations seeking a Jesus-shaped public witness.

In a time when “power-over” theologies and politics can leave us feeling worn down, disconnected, or hopeless, resilience becomes more than a personal strength. It becomes an act of resistance. This interactive workshop invites participants to learn and practice emotional first aid: simple, accessible tools for grounding, regulation, and self-awareness that can be used in daily life when stress or overwhelm sets in.

Do you wish you knew more of your neighbors? Are you wondering how well your community will take care of each other in these uncertain times? Come learn how to run an Offers and Needs Market! Offers and Needs is a simple structure your community can use to meet new friends and see how they can help one another out within the community networks they already have. 

Building relationships with people of different faiths can seem intimidating, but understanding, friendship, and collaboration across religious lines are essential if we want to create a community where we all can live well together. Join expert interfaith peacebuilder and PCI President Emeritus Martin Brooks for a workshop on organizing interfaith events.

We know that harm happens by way of both unconscious slights and outright harassment. When it comes to responding in tense situations like this, fear of doing it wrong, of judgment, and of being ineffective can keep us from doing anything at all. In this workshop, we’ll use short, guided role-plays to practice responding when we witness harm.

Martin Luther King famously said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,” and yet even King understood that it bends because of the disciplined nonconformists who are willing to confront the violence of our world. Join us for a short introductory organising webinar as we explore King’s philosophy and praxis for social change and welcome those aching for peace to start organising for justice.

Join Dougle, PCI's Peace Ambassador in Lithuania, for an interview with Palestinian Christian theologians John and Samuel Munayer. John and Samuel represent a young generation of Palestinian theologians and have co-edited a book, full of authors who also represent this younger generation, that wrestles with the current genocide taking place in Gaza. This interview will touch on the origins and development of Palestinian theology and how it addresses the Gaza genocide.

Many of us “bury our heads in the sand” when difficult stories of systemic and structural violence surface and require a reckoning. Join this conversation to engage a theological and ethical framework for understanding why working with and through complicity is so difficult. We will also identify spiritual practices that help us keep our heads up in times of upheaval.