This call is hosted by the Christian Peacebuilding Network (CPN), a multi-org group we helped found, and is part of a series of monthly conversations to help connect Christian peacebuilders and discuss themes related to peacebuilding and the Christian faith.
Generational divisions are nothing new, yet in the Church in particular, there are massive and growing divisions between older generations and younger, many of whom are becoming increasingly irreligious or at least disaffiliated from churches. During this CPN meeting, we will hear from Scott Sotomayor about his experience as a leader in Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While many in older generations must be convinced that the work for justice and peace is important to God, Scott has found that young people intuitively see justice and peace as central to God’s mission. By empowering youth to be part of and lead conversations about justice and peace work in churches, we can simultaneously build bridges between Christian generations and create space for the next generation to live out their faith by following Jesus in his work for just and holistic peace.
If you’re a Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online discussion to talk and process together about the following questions.
Discussion questions:
Where have you fallen complicit to generational divisions in your work and what work do you need to do to bridge that divide?
In your peacebuilding work, how can you concretely empower youth leadership and create platforms and space for youth voices?
Time:
3:00pm Central Europe (5:00pm East Africa Time, 4:00pm Jerusalem, 2:00pm UK, 10:00am USA Eastern, 7:30pm India Time)
Facilitators:
Scott Sotomayor
Scott is originally from the USA and has lived and worked with YWAM An Cuan in Northern Ireland for the last 10 years. For the last 13 years YWAM An Cuan has been a reconciliation-centred missional community engaging with both local and international peacebuilding. In 2021, Scott along with his wife Yasmine accepted the role of Director at YWAM An Cuan. In July 2022 they welcomed their first child, Mateo. He is now juggling leading an international, intergenerational and interdenominational missions community towards a more holistic vision of missions, cooking his family dinners and being the best father he can be.
Kendra DeMicco-Lovins
Kendra is passionate about peacemaking & reconciliation, and has spent the last 6 years working in this field in the Middle East, South America, and North America. Her work focused on facilitating Peace Camps and coming alongside young leaders to support, equip, and build capacity to make holistic change in their local communities. She has her Master's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Delaware, and an undergraduate degree in Literature and Theatre form Eastern University. She works for the Five & Two Network in the convergent space between Peacemaking and Reconciliation and Community Centered Development.
Bob Mayonza
Bob is the National Director and senior facilitator for the Uganda office of the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation Uganda (PCR). PCR’s mission is to bring hope and healing by renewing individuals, restoring relationships, and revitalizing communities through the work of reconciliation. Beyond Uganda’s borders, Bob is also the lead coordinator for PCR’s South Sudan office and his work takes him to Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and Congo, focusing on peacebuilding training, menstrual health, community development, and youth empowerment. Prior to joining PCR Bob worked for over 13 years with World Outreach Ministry Foundation as communication liaison and media & communication officer for Uganda Christian Outreach Ministries. He earned a B.A. Honor’s Degree and his Master’s in Operations Management.