In the east African nation of Sudan, a civil war has claimed 2 million lives in the past 20 years.

It's not hard to see the need for peacemaking in our world today. Wars continue to rage in dozens of countries. Some 20 million children have been killed, wounded or displaced by war in the past 10 years alone. Closer to home, one-quarter of young women will face physical or psychological violence in a dating relationship, and one in 25 children misses a day of school a month for fear of being bullied. Meanwhile, the US government spends 100 times more on its military than it does on aiding the world's poor, 1.5 billion of whom live on less than $1 a day.

The Church of the Brethren is known as a Historic Peace Church. In other words, since the beginning Brethren have turned away from violence as a means of solving interpersonal or international problems. The basis for this conviction is firmly rooted in the New Testament, and more specifically in Jesus' teachings on loving our enemies and Paul's admonition that Christians seek to live peaceably with all and that they strive to "overcome evil with good." Brethren also knew firsthand of the brutality of war; the church came into existence in the aftermath of Europe's Thirty Years War. For a fuller understanding of why Brethren are committed to peace, see the accompanying article by Brethren historian Donald Durnbaugh entitled The Brethren Heritage of Peace and Social Concern.

Brethren today join Christ in his work for peace in many ways. The church continues to encourage its young men and women to refrain from participation in the military, counseling conscientious objection to war instead. Opportunities to visit war-torn areas or places where justice is denied God's children are provided by Faith Expeditions. Youth can find inspiration and resources for peacemaking in The Peace Book, a pocket-sized peacemaking manual. Young people can also participate in the Youth Peace Travel Team, a group of four youth and young adults that visits Brethren camps each summer to inspire their peers toward peacemaking. The Take the Pledge campaign and materials on conscientious objection invite people to make a lifelong commitment to nonviolence. A collection of Peace Messages are available for insertion into bulletins or newsletters, reminders of the Brethren heritage of peacemaking and its current expressions.

Longer-term peace resources and activities include study materials from Brethren Press and the six-session guide Waging Peace from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, all of which seek a deeper understanding of peacemaking. Economic justice is provided to neighbors near and far through the Global Food Crisis Fund, which complements other General Board programs in working to assure that God's people everywhere have the opportunity to live the full life that God intends (see Global Food Crisis). Another economic justice effort being supported by the Brethren Witness office is the Equal Exchange coffee project, which pays a fair wage to coffee growers and encourages ecologically-sound coffee production.

All Brethren are also invited to join the Decade to Overcome Violence, a worldwide Christian movement to create a culture of peace in a world bent on war. The Brethren Witness/Washington Office joins with On Earth Peace in organizing this campaign in Brethren circles. Gain inspiration and hope from others dedicated to overcoming violence by attending the DOV Training Event.

Contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office or click here for more information on how to become involved in these life-changing, world-changing ministries.