The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy works in Washington, DC to advocate for Brethren values including peace and nonviolence, welcoming immigrants, and environmental justice in the context of U.S. policy.
Why does our Brethren voice matter?
Our denomination’s 1989 Annual Conference statement on Church and State says that “Christians and the church are called at times to speak a prophetic word to the state. When the state is doing things that negate and deny God’s will as revealed in Jesus Christ and the Bible, Christians must speak out, doing so in love and respect for those engaged in wrongdoing and those being wronged (Eph. 4:15). When the state is doing things which move in the general direction of God’s will and way (human well-being, justice and peace), Christians can give support and commendation.”
We take the Biblical call to use our voices to speak out for justice seriously. We amplify the voices of Nigerians impacted by Boko Haram violence, call for an end to drone warfare, and advocate on a variety of other peace-related issues.
What is WISC?
Our office is part of a broader network in Washington DC named the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC). WISC is made up of more than 80 national religious bodies and faith-based organizations, encompassing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Humanist faiths to collaborate on joint advocacy for U.S. government policies that advance a more just, peaceful and ecologically sustainable world.
Visit the WISC website for more information.
Our office also partners and works closely with several other faith-based organizations that work on peace and social justice issues, in line with the 2018 Annual Conference Statement on Ecumenism.
These organizations include:
- Center on Conscience and War
- Creation Justice Ministries
- Churches for Middle East Peace
- Church World Service
- Christian Peacemaker Teams
- Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD)
- National Farm Worker Ministry
- National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Volunteer and intern options
Our work sounds interesting?
BVS volunteers
Each year, we are happy for new volunteers to join our office through the Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) to contribute to our mission while gaining invaluable insight in advocacy work in Washington DC.
Check out the BVS webpage for more information about how you can serve with us.
Interns
Whether you have studied or are studying political science, law or related subjects, we would love to be in contact with you about an internship or fellowship.
For any further questions, contact NHosler@brethren.org.
Our office is located on Capitol Hill inside the Washington City Church of the Brethren on 337 North Carolina Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003.
Peace News
- Terminación del TPS: una revisión legal y un camino a seguir para Haití.
Por Alex Lambert, pasante legal, Oficina de Construcción de Paz y Políticas, Iglesia de los Hermanos Introducción El 20 de agosto, el primer vuelo de ciudadanos haitianos deportados llegó al aeropuerto de Cap-Haïtien [1] después de que la administración Trump pusiera fin al Estatus de Protección Temporal (“TPS”) para Haití. [2] Tres días después, bandas
- Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signs on to letter supporting green card holders and resettled refugees
The Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy has signed on to a letter in support of green card holders and resettled refugees, sent Sept. 30 to the secretary of Homeland Security and to the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Deportation Defense Response Team provides update as termination of TPS takes effect
Our immigrant neighbors and siblings in Christ continue to face excruciatingly difficult times. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was terminated for Haitians at the end of July, and the Haitian community is being targeted. Haitian Church of the Brethren members in Florida have lost the ability to work, are facing significant hardships and uncertainty, and are living in fear.
- Samuel Hupp begins as BVSer at the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Samuel Hupp has begun work at the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, serving through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). He is a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind.
- Standing with our Haitian church family: A pastoral message from the General Secretary
Dear Beloved Community of the Church of the Brethren, I write today with particular concern for our Haitian church members and their families. Following the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on July 27, many now face the possibility of detention, deportation, and family separation. Among those affected are approximately 300 Haitians who are part of Church of the Brethren congregations across the United States.
- Resolution on weapons transfer is adopted by the 2026 Annual Conference
The delegate body of the 2026 Annual Conference on Wednesday afternoon, July 1, adopted a “Resolution on Weapons Transfer” with a solid majority vote. The paper cites Matthew 5:44b-45, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…,” to call the Church of the Brethren to “examine and respond to the impacts of the arms industry.”
- ‘Walking Together’ resolution on care for immigrants is adopted
The Mission and Ministry Board brought their recent resolution for adoption by the delegate body. Titled “Walking Together: Immigration, Peacemaking, Conscience, and Supporting our Neighbors,” it reiterates that “care for immigrants and refugees is an essential part of the Christian and Church of the Brethren ethic of service and peacemaking.”
- Loving our immigrant neighbors
It was already a timely topic when it was scheduled as one of the Equipping Sessions at the 2026 Annual Conference—but the events of the past few days led “Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors: Legal Updates, Ally Resources, and US Militarism” to be a standing-room-only session, with the seats filled and many people leaning on walls and sitting on the floor.
- Kairos Center issues press statement on Supreme Court case in which Church of the Brethren joined amicus brief
The Kairos Center, which coordinated an amicus brief in which the Church of the Brethren joined with other denominations and faith groups, has issued a press statement on the case “Mullin v. Al Otro Lado.”
- Special Annual Conference events are offered in Fort Wayne this summer
The 2026 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren is offering a number of special events and opportunities this summer in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Office of Peacebuilding and Policy blog posts
- Terminating TPS: A Legal Review and Path Forward for HaitiCan anything else be done? With no hope of help from the Executive or Judicial branches, relief for these Haitian nationals must come about legislatively.
- Grounding the Guns: Legal Pathways for Restricting U.S. Arms TransfersIt is important to understand the current legal restrictions on arms transfers and how they can be improved.
- Policy CornerProtection for Endangered Species and Energy Bills Relief Act
- Policy UpdatesFor more than three decades, the Church of the Brethren has recognized the relationship between human suffering, fossil fuel consumption, and climate change.
- Legal analysis of the attack on IranThe military attack by the United States on Iran violates Article 2(4) of the UN charter and the limitations on the power of the President under the U.S Constitution.
Older blog posts
- ASAP
The Arms Sales and Accountability Project website shows how to hold members of congress accountable when votes for arms sales come up in congress. Continue reading →
- What Would Jesus Do…with $813 Billion?
Barring political complications, by the end of the summer Congress will have discussed, marked up, and voted on a spending package to fund the government through the upcoming fiscal year. More specifically, this process will determine how much discretionary spending … Continue reading →
- Ecological Injustice in Lagos, Nigeria
One of the more visible effects of global warming is flooding, and coastal cities -like Lagos, Nigeria- are seeing a rise in sea levels, due to melting polar icecaps. As one of the most populous cities on the continent of … Continue reading →
- The Saudi-Arabia-Iran Cold War and the Looming Nuclear Arms Race in the Middle East
by Angelo Olayvar “While recognizing our limitations in fully perceiving the complexities and ambiguities pertinent to the Middle East conflict, we feel compelled to articulate our concerns on matters which are critical in modifying tensions in the area and moving … Continue reading →