Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Very rarely, though, do we stop and think of who these men and women are, let alone the challenges that they face, as they work to bring peace to the most turbulent places around the world. Presbyterians Today takes a look at today’s peacemakers.
The Presbyterian Church of Colombia is working for a just and lasting peace in a nation plagued by generations of politically and ideologically motivated violence.
“You won’t go to India to do something an Indian cannot do,” the Rev. Thomas John told me. He was the site coordinator for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program in India, and I was a college senior, interviewing to serve as a YAV on the other side of the globe. I don’t think I had any delusions of single-handedly transforming the world, but I was surely guided by a desire to help, to contribute and to be of service. That was in 2002. Today I serve as site coordinator for the YAV program in Colombia, and I encounter those same motivations again and again in current applicants.
You won’t go to India to do something an Indian cannot do,” the Rev. Thomas John told me. He was the site coordinator for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program in India, and I was a college senior, interviewing to serve as a YAV on the other side of the globe. I don’t think I had any delusions of single-handedly transforming the world, but I was surely guided by a desire to help, to contribute, to be of service. That was in 2002. Today I serve as site coordinator for the YAV program in Colombia, and I encounter those same motivations again and again in current applicants.
Colombia’s presidential election will be held Sunday, May 27, using a two-round system. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote Sunday, a runoff will be scheduled for June 17 between the top two candidates. Incumbent Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is not eligible for re-election, having already served two terms.
The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Water Network (WCC-EWN) began the 2018 edition of its annual Lenten campaign “Seven Weeks for Water” here last week.
A peace accord ratified between the Colombian government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrilla group in late 2016 has been in the process of implementation this year, and former guerrilla combatants have settled in 25 “transitional normalization zones” around the country. The process of transitioning into civilian life has included educational programs and the laying down of arms through a three-part handover to the United Nations. The arms handover is now 100 percent — a hopeful sign for the construction of peace in Colombia.
The 2016 International Peacemakers are finishing up their visits to U.S. churches, colleges and communities. Seven of the speakers gathered this week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to debrief with staff. During its day-long gathering, the group shared their experiences, hopes and recommendations for future meetings.
Following a failed popular vote to ratify the peace accord between the government of Colombia and FARC rebels on Sunday, partners in the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia issued a letter of thanks to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for its support.
After four years of dialogue and negotiations, President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC guerrilla group agreed to end hostilities on June 23, 2016. The final peace accord, announced on August 24 and formally signed on September 26, will be placed before the Colombian people for a popular vote on October 2.
