Participants pair up to do peacebuilding activities.

Ten Years of Peacebuilding

I really enjoyed the class. Once you get the complete picture it’s pretty much a ‘Well duh!’ moment. It’s a shame most adults haven’t learned these communication tools.”

This year marks the tenth anniversary of peacebuilding-specialist ministry in Community of Christ. Since the ministry’s inception in January 1999, comments like the one above from Darrell have been echoed during training by many of nearly 3,000 people in seven countries.

Numerous people have benefited through consulting or mediated conversations, and congregations have found new paths through ministries. The church now has eight certified instructors and eight certified mediators. Also, through the peacebuilding specialist’s office, Mareva Arnaud developed reconciliation ministries for French Polynesia.

The peacebuilding specialist works with a team representing nearly 100 years of experience. Members are Sue Ann Allen (Seattle, Washington), Lisa Carpenter (Folsom, California), Diane Kyser (Independence, Missouri), Pam Luce (Central Lake, Michigan), Blake Puckett (Woodinville, Washington), Talitha Pennington (Sterling Heights, Michigan), Vicki Thatcher (Parkville, Missouri), and Nina Warriner (Bath, New York).

Among the comments about experiences with peacebuilding ministries:

Susan: “My husband’s 32-year-old daughter was dying of a long illness. Because of hurt on both sides, the two had not communicated for years. I prayed for guidance for our visit. I believe I was guided to contact Sandee Gamet, the World Church peacebuilding specialist.
“Sandee listened to the complex situation and coached me over the phone. I wrote down the pointers she gave me, and they became the framework for our meeting. We started with prayer, and then my husband was able to just listen—as Sandee had advised.

“He did not defend himself or make excuses, which would not have happened without the advance preparation. I am very grateful for the guidance of the peacebuilding minister and for the Lord’s blessing of presence.

“Agreements were made for regular contact as the family amazingly reunited. The peacebuilding services offered made the difference. All of us learned and practiced new skills that we needed so desperately. We were blessed beyond expectations.”

Dan: “The Interpersonal Peacebuilding Class was an excellent resource to improve my communication skills. The practical-applications sessions, dialogue, and training were excellent for learning where I can improve. I have used the skills to slow my responses, reframe, and respond, rather than react. The process to determine the real issues has been most helpful in satisfactorily ending conflicts.”

Marilyn: “I think awareness is the first step in being able to change my own walk with others.”

Such testimonies affirm and sustain the work of our team. God’s presence and guidance are experienced over and over as people and congregations seek to answer the call to embody God’s peaceable kingdom.

—Sandee Gamet reporting