Last Tuesday evening, I had the incredible privilege to attend a lecture at the University of Sarajevo by Dr. Ahmet Kuru, Director of Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies and professor of political science at San Diego State University. He spoke about his book, Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global & Historical Comparison. As a Christian listening in with scholarly, self-reflective, and inspiring Muslim thought leaders, I was incredibly impressed and left with several takeaways.

Last month, the Slovakia Missions Network invited me to lead two workshops to introduce peacebuilding and how it relates to God’s mission and how Christians understand the Good News and witness. Since so much of my work with Peace Catalyst is to help Christians catch a vision for God’s shalom vision and peacebuilding mission, I was very excited to see how these ideas might connect more broadly with others in Eastern Europe.

There is a constant battle between the individual longing for freedom and civilisation demanding conformity and repression of instincts. And so, individuals are constantly sending subtle and not-so-subtle messages about their feelings and this restricted freedom. I had this on my mind recently as I took the trolley bus through Sarajevo.

We all encounter circumstances, people, and conversations that scare us. It is natural for our defenses to automatically kick into gear, preparing us to fight or escape at any cost. This is why I am amazed whenever I meet people who instead manage to pause their defense reactions long enough to engage their curiosity and seek to better understand their partner in conflict. This kind of dialogue is truly courageous.

Over four weeks in the States while visiting family and friends, I was invited to preach or speak at a different church each weekend, in addition to speaking at several Christian small groups. The biggest takeaway that I have is how much American Christians are longing to hear about peacebuilding, and regardless of high levels of skepticism about how peacebuilding functions or whether it can be successful, Christians are interested to learn more and eager to put peacebuilding insights and skills into practice.

Are you interested in learning more about the incarceration and persecution of the Uyghur people in Western China. Uyghurs are being put into the largest concentration camps since the Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust. It’s happening again in China right now, and much of the world is unaware.

Meet and engage some of the world’s most experienced peacebuilding practitioners. Delve into local culture, history, and peace work alongside Bosnian peacebuilders, students, and faith actors. Become part of a worldwide peacebuilding movement by learning how to work for peace in your own community.

Dr. Rick Love, the late Founder and President of Peace Catalyst International, dreamed of mobilizing people around the globe into a peacebuilding movement. He founded Peace Catalyst because of that dream and dedicated the last ten years of his life to peacebuilding, courageously crossing social, political, and ideological divides and inviting others to do the same. He did so because of his Jesus-centered approach to all of life.

To honor Rick’s legacy, to further his vision, and to raise up more peacebuilders like him, Peace Catalyst has established the Rick Love Peace Awards and is proud to present the recipients of these 2nd annual awards. These prestigious awards honor those who creatively cross divides to build peace, exhibiting the same character and courage displayed by Rick.

It IS possible to heal division and re-build connection, and you're making it happen! We know that when we work together, we can turn things around, and we thank you for doing your part to build stronger and safer communities. In 2022, you were a powerful part of the solution by…