Church of the Brethren Peace Conference Held in Tanzania Focuses on Peacemaking and Community Building

The Church of the Brethren Peace Conference took place in Mwanza, Tanzania, from August 15 to 17, bringing together church leaders to explore themes of peace and hope. Hosted by the emerging Church of the Brethren in Tanzania, the event emphasized the importance of cultivating peace within communities rather than imposing it externally. Bishop Rhobinson Baiye invited Jennifer Hosler and Nathan Hosler, both with experience in peacemaking and global church partnerships, to lead the conference’s teachings.

Hosler, representing the Global Mission office, and Nathan Hosler, from the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, presented topics such as biblical peacemaking, contextual peacemaking, and the role of church, government, and advocacy in promoting peace. The conference also included teachings from African church leaders, who shared insights rooted in their local contexts. Esther and Amos Muhagachi from the Mennonite Church in Tanzania highlighted the role of the church in advancing gender justice, noting that women and girls continue to face violence and require nonviolent support.

Global Church of the Brethren leaders contributed perspectives from their respective regions. Bwambale Sedrack, national director of the Church of the Brethren in Uganda, reflected on the challenges his country faces, including political polarization, migration, climate change, economic inequality, youth unemployment, and violent extremism. He emphasized that peace must be built within church communities rather than imposed from above.

The conference underscored the mission of the Church of the Brethren, a denomination rooted in nonviolence, reconciliation, unity, and service. These values shape the community’s approach to ministry and its engagement with the world. The event highlighted the importance of local leadership in fostering peace and addressing the complex challenges facing communities today.

The gathering served as a platform for sharing strategies and experiences in peacebuilding, reinforcing the denomination’s commitment to holistic ministry and advocacy. By bringing together leaders from diverse contexts, the conference aimed to strengthen the collective effort to promote justice and hope in regions affected by conflict and instability.

Source: Read the original report