Train & Mobilize a New Wave of Community Peacebuilders
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.
This is why we’re building out our Peacebuilding Formation program, with three goals in mind:
Creating a core training program for community peacebuilders, including conflict skills, nonviolence, trauma awareness, social change, and more, which PCI will offer to the general public as well as partner congregations and community groups.
Developing a volunteer program so that anyone who feels called to be a peacebuilder in their area can find in PCI a supportive community that encourages and empowers them.
Accompanying and coaching small groups, congregations, and community groups, providing ongoing support and collaboration with groups and organizations who seek to embody the Kingdom of peace in their context.
Our goal to raise $20,000 to make this program a reality, which will eventually become self-sustaining on its own. These funds will support the staff time needed to create these projects, secure resources required to make the highest quality opportunities we can, and ensure our trainings are accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation. 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.
“Very thought-provoking and helpful!”
"Thank you so much for facilitating conversation and educating us all on one of your skills!"
“As I blurted out last time I was in class, you are doing an incredible job — the culture and experience of the course is unique among most I’ve taken in this genre (and I’ve taken — and taught — A LOT). It has a lot to do with the pacing I think; your affect/energy; the way the course is designed to align structure, practice and values; and the way you are honoring each individual above all else. Thanks so much for this amazing experience!”
“I absolutely LOVE the class and the format a ton!.… I love the way the class is structured to give us time to connect and practice things throughout. Last session was amazing. I loved the breakout session when we practiced with the jamboard - really crystalised the process of NVC and made it make more sense..”
“I feel like I am more able now to come into conversation with greater calm and more able to stay there. The practice of noticing cues from my body to help with this is stronger.”
“I feel so much more grounded now and more confident in my ability to engage in tough conversations with other people.”
- past training event participants
OTHER PROJECTS
