Help us Create Training and Formation Resources for Christians
At Peace Catalyst International, we're dreaming of a day when churches across the world are known as communities of peace, when their Christian witness is recognized through their reconciliation with enemies, their pursuit of justice, solidarity with the marginalized, and commitment to truth.
We know we can't get there through good intentions alone. Christians, and all who wish to be peacemakers, need practical skills and supportive communities to turn these peaceful intentions into real-world shalom. From our own self-awareness, to interpersonal communication, to community development, to nonviolent social change, opportunities to learn and grow are essential.
In order to meet this need, we’re expanding our capacity to provide aspiring peacebuilders with high-quality training and an intentional community of practice. This isn't new for us—we've taught about Christian-Muslim peacemaking, trauma, Nonviolent Communication, dialogue and storytelling and more, not to mention the work put into the Christian Peacebuilding Network and its learning cohorts. More is possible, but we need your help to make it a reality.
That’s why we’re launching a 6-month project to build out our Peacebuilding Formation program, with three goals in mind:
Creating a core offering of peacebuilding courses, including conflict skills, nonviolence, trauma awareness, social change, and more, which PCI will offer to congregations, partner organizations, and the general public, perfect for laypeople who want to make a difference in their communities.
Assembling a robust Community Peacebuilding guide to take individuals and groups through the theory and practices at the heart of our Understand-Connect-Collaborate process. This will culminate in a Community Peacebuilding Training Program, during which we will lead and coach a cohort of new peacebuilders, who are journeying through the process together, over the course of several months.
A "community of practice" for those who are actively building peace in their communities and wish to stay in relationship with us. This will involve regular group coaching, networking, special learning and action opportunities, and more.
Our goal to raise $12,000 to make this program a reality, which will eventually become self-sustaining on its own. These funds will primarily support the staff time needed to create these projects, as well as securing any resources or rights required to make the highest quality opportunities we can. This effort will be spearheaded by our Director of Formation Peter Digitale Anderson, an experienced peacebuilder and trainer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with support from additional staff as progress continues.
"Thank you so much for facilitating conversation and educating us all on one of your skills!"
- Nonviolent Communication training event participant
