Frequently, the activity of peacemaking is associated with “doing” creative, costly, justice-oriented work. In our imaginations we see ourselves and others mending the micro and macro divides through non-violent direct action, civil discourse, mediation, advocacy, and accompaniment. “This,” we convince ourselves, “is the restorative work that the world is desperate for.” And so, at high cost to personal, relational, organizational, societal, and, even global health, we focus on the work of “doing” to the exclusion of the necessary work of “becoming.”
In the years we’ve spent “doing” the work, we’ve noticed a seismic shift in the question that fuels us forward. Responding to the world’s pain, we are no longer starting with, “What do we do?” Instead, we are asking a different question: “Who must we become?”
On March 20th, we invite you to join four Global Immersion teammates as we discuss the shift in prominence from “doing” to “becoming” that is underway in our personal practice and organizational life. Throughout the webinar, we’ll explore:
- why both questions are essential…AND… does chronology matters?
- how contemplation, information, experience, and relationship shape who we’re “becoming”
- how, rather than negating “doing,” the question of “becoming” only enhances our restorative practice
Panelists
Jer Swigart – Co-Founding Director of The Global Immersion Project
Jer is a peacemaking training organization, Global Immersion is cultivating an everyday peacemaking movement that’s restoring what’s broken in our world. As a modern-day peacemaker, Jer has found himself contending for peace in beautifully bizarre corners of our global village. Whether in the tribes of northern Pakistan, the slums of India, the red-light districts of Southeast Asia, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, or the racial divides within his own neighborhood, Jer loves people in a way that disarms violence and eliminates divides. His engagement within national and international conflicts as well as his experience as a faith leader and educator has formed him into a guide for individuals, churches, and organizations that are yearning to leverage their influence as instruments of peace in the places they live, work, and play. When he’s not navigating alpine life with his family in Bend, OR, Jer travels the country and world as a practitioner, coach, and speaker. He’s written for numerous publications, has contributed to several books, is a Pepperdine Cross Sector Leader Fellow, and is the co-author of the recently released and award winning book, Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World (IVP, 2017).
Alejandra Ortiz- Regional director for Compa (Christian university ministry) for the Northwest region of México
Alejandra Ortiz is from Tijuana, Mexico and works as a Regional director for Compa (Christian university ministry) for the Northwest region of México. She is passionate about helping students live out their faith in the whole of life and use their studies to serve their local communities. For the past 6 years Ale has been leading students from Compa and other groups with The Global Immersion project, from all over México and the U.S., on learning and exposure projects to understand more about life on the border and immigration issues. She is a bridge builder between churches, students and local NGO’s. Alejandra, her husband and their young daughter have recently started a home church in Tijuana, living communally with others and seeking to join God’s Kingdom work in their local area.
Christiana Rice – Author and Leadership Trainer
Christiana serves as a trainer and coach with Thresholds, supporting leaders, activists, entrepreneurs and influencers for their sustained spiritual growth and wellness. She is also an Immersion Trip Curator for The Global Immersion Project. Christiana lives in Urban San Diego with her husband Derek, their two daughters and their neighborhood church community. She is the co-author of, To Alter the World; Partnering with God to Rebirth our Communities, with global missiologist, Michael Frost.
Hailey Mitsui– Director of Communication + Development @ Global Immersion
Hailey is the Director of Communications & Development at The Global Immersion Project, she is mixed race and has spent her life navigating and negotiating the realities of privilege and marginalization. She has a B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Race & Ethnic Relations and a degree in American Cultural Studies. Hailey is the board secretary for The Mystic Soul Project, whose mission is to engage the wisdom, teaching, resources, and voices of People of Color at the intersections of spirituality, activism and healing.
She is currently a student at the Living School and is focusing on how to ground her passion for racial justice and social equality in contemplative spiritual practices and self-care. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @mitsmitsmits.