Jason, a pastor from California, shared an example of the very thing that’s happening at tables and gatherings across the U.S. because of you and your partnership in this work.

In the aftermath of recent shootings, many Christians are expressing the desire to show solidarity with Muslim communities around them. Solidarity is defined as “unity or agreement of feeling or action,” but what does that really mean, and how is it actually done?

A few days ago over coffee, I enjoyed a good conversation with a Muslim friend whom I met on my first trip to Bosnia. He shared with me how much he loved a recent message from Pope Francis that called Christians to focus on simplicity, charity, and love instead of the materialism and greed that usually accompanies the holiday season. He also lamented how Muslims are often trained to try to persuade Christians through arguments, rather than spending time learning about and from them.

One of the first questions people ask when it comes to local peacemaking is how to get started and how to go about beginning new relationships. So here are some starting tips.

American churches and organizations are loving their Muslim neighbors in practical, beautiful ways. Many more groups than I ever imagined are reaching out in love to their Muslim neighbors.  

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9) AND “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). How do we reconcile these two famous peace passages?

There are several questions we get asked over and over again. The wording may be different, but the concerns remain the same. So we're writing a number of blogs addressing some of our Frequently Asked Questions. Today’s question: “Is it really possible to have peace between Christians and Muslims?”

It’s fine to talk about what we believe, but it is better to see people’s faith put into action. As we work alongside people and hear each other’s stories of life and faith and family, it makes it a lot harder to believe the stereotypes. What would happen at your church if Muslims started showing up to help paint the walls or mow the grass? Can you think of a good project we could do together? The Muslims in Louisville are asking.

Even if one disagrees with my assessment of Muslims, I think we can all agree on the clear teaching of the Prince of Peace. A couple weeks ago I spent three of the most intense and exciting days of my life making peace in a city in Central Java, Indonesia. Everywhere I went I told my favorite stories from our work in Peace Catalyst International and shared key verses from the Bible about peacemaking.