What is a “Peace Warrior.” For this network the term was coined by Dan Buttry, Global Consultant for Peace and Justice with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches. He was raised in a military family where he learned the warrior culture of discipline, strategy, courage, and willingness to sacrifice for a bigger cause. Then after encountering the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount he “baptized” his warrior identity into the nonviolence of Jesus. Just Peace became the goal and nonviolent conflict transformation the means for engagement in issues of justice and peace.
This vision connects to what Walker Knight wrote: “Peace like war is waged.” Peace Warriors are engaged in the long struggle with injustice and violence to forge a more hopeful and constructively humane future. As Knight said, “Peace plans its strategy and encircles the enemy. Peace marshals its forces and storms the gates. Peace gathers its weapons and pierces the defense. Peace, like war, is waged. But Christ has turned it all around: The weapons of peace are love, joy, goodness, long-suffering; the arms of peace are justice, truth, patience, prayer; the strategy of peace brings safety, welfare, happiness; the forces of peace are the sons and daughters of God.”
The informal collective of people hosting this website (click here to see who we are) are committed to the waging of peace by peaceful means. We share stories, inspiration, tools, and contacts to engage in that long journey. From the beginning we have lifted up stories and learned from people of other religions. Our network has grown to include people of various faiths who embrace the vision of working nonviolently for justice and peace over the long struggle. You will see some of these Peace Warriors featured on this website. We invite others to join with us, engaging on whatever front in the struggle that is before you.