Wednesdays, January 10 - February 14, 2024
Does the gospel provide a framework to address the real challenges of our world? During this introduction to Christian Peacebuilding, we’ll approach this question by expanding our understanding of themes like God’s reign, Kingdom, justice, conflict transformation, and reconciliation.
This 6-week online small group, hosted with YWAM An Cuan, will help you learn about how conflict unveils ruptured relationships, both interpersonally and between groups, and how conflict can become an opportunity to work toward God’s fullest vision of reality - one of justice and mutual flourishing.
This small group is designed for you if you’re an everyday Christian or a Christian leader who is curious about how your faith and life can be a remedy for the chaos and pain of our world.
Cost is free. Space is limited to 18 people.
If the group is full, you’ll be automatically added to a waitlist.
WHAT WILL THIS SMALL GROUP INCLUDE?
Meet & Greet - Hear the personal stories of other Christians around the world
God’s Vision & Mission - Shalom & Peacebuilding
The Church’s Peacebuilding Vocation & Call
Introduction to Conflict Transformation
Discipleship: Christian Formation for Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding Postures & Skills
Participants can expect a highly interactive experience with a lot of discussion along with the content. We request that participants intend to be present for the majority of the sessions in order to facilitate their own learning and the learning of the class.
DATE & TIME
This small group will happen online via Zoom. Each week, participants will receive preliminary resources (readings and videos) to reflect on before our meeting. The goal for these small groups is to provide a diverse set of introductory materials and some guided reflection questions so that participants can engage in an ongoing transformative process themselves and also reuse the content to lead exploratory conversations and small groups about peacebuilding in their own communities.
United States:
11:00am - 12:30pm PST
2:00 - 3:30pm EST
Europe
19:00 - 20:30 GMT
20:00 - 21:30 CET
MEET YOUR FACILITATORS
SCOTT SOTOMAYOR
Scott is originally from the United States of America but has spent the last 10 years living and working with YWAM An Cuan, including taking on his role as base director in 2021. He is married to Yasmine and with her has a son named Mateo.
Over the last decade Scott has led many discipleship training schools, worked with refugee communities, led worship times, and taught in various programs around the world. He is passionate about deepening our understanding of Jesus’ teachings and furthering Christ’s ministry of reconciliation in all areas of life and society.
BRYAN CAREY
In 2016 Bryan and his wife, Stephanie, moved to the Balkan region, where they have been learning alongside and supporting the work of Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox peacebuilders.
Bryan hosts workshops, conducts trainings, and teaches about peace-oriented theology, peacebuilding practices, and how Christian groups can get involved in community peacebuilding. He regularly organizes learning experiences for international and regional Balkan participants that cultivate understanding and empathy for the narratives of other groups, ultimately with the aim to deepen relational connections that allow for collaborative work. Bryan also volunteers for Mirovna Akademija (The Peace Academy), a local NGO which does peacebuilding education and training for local Bosnians and foreign groups.