This event is part of our 12 Days of Peace virtual event series.

Conflict is an inevitable fact of life, but what if we were to view it not as something to fear or avoid, but as an opportunity to build deeper relationships with God and each other? If we seek to challenge the violence of this world by reminding Christians that Jesus’ way is justice, reconciliation, and holistic peace, we must be able to live out that story together, and this requires navigating conflict with courage and with love. 

Join us for this conversation with Michael Gulker, president of The Colossian Forum, an organization that invites Christians to look past difference to find opportunities for deeper connection. Michael will explore what it means to cultivate the courage and curiosity necessary to establish connections across conflict, as well as how churches might move toward genuine reconciliation - and model this kind of reconciliation to the world.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Michael Gulker

Michael Gulker is a passionate leader deeply invested in the polarized intersection of faith and culture, exploring how both can thrive when grounded in love of God and love of neighbor. Since 2011, he has served as president of The Colossian Forum, which invites people to cultivate connection across differences.

Michael’s efforts with The Colossian Forum have been recognized in major media outlets, including the The Wall Street Journal and Leap of Faith, a documentary directed by Nicholas Ma that explores whether we can disagree and still belong to each other in a divided world.

A native of West Michigan, Michael studied philosophy and theology at Calvin College before earning his divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. He is also an ordained Mennonite pastor. He and his wife Jodie live in West Michigan with their two children.