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Easter Focus 2011: African Great Lakes Peace Initiative

Conflict is a major contributor to poverty and suffering, impacting the poorest; particularly mothers and children. Our 2011 Easter
project is playing a crucial role in the unique Christian ministry of peace-building and conflict reduction in central Africa. Please read this and prayerfully and consider your support. It is a powerful story of grace and reconciliation.


When my African brother received the call from Rwanda in 1997, his blood went cold. The news was extremely grim. Rebels had entered his family home just outside Kigali and butchered five of his family, including his elderly mother. A prayerful and committed Christian with a ministry to the poor,he could only think of one thing; finding those responsible and exacting revenge. Overnight he became the captive of an unrelenting, yet understandable hatred.

But then something remarkable happened. Three years later in a meeting of Christian workers in Rwanda, a grim realisation began to take shape. Here, in the meeting, a man began sharing his story of past violence and regret, of a murder of a family. In that moment, he recognised that the man before him was one of the killers of his mother and family. The choice was absolutely stark and without any shades of grey. Forgive or continue to be consumed by bitterness. 

He chose the better and clearer path of forgiveness. For days and weeks after, these men shared a rare journey of lament, repentance, forgiveness and deep reconciliation only possible in Christ. The result was that, today, these men both work together as peace-builders in central Africa and are part of the Great Lakes Initiative. They are both tangible witnesses in a troubled region of what the peace of Christ can accomplish. Such a transformation between these two enemies is as much evidence of Easter's resurrection as any empty tomb. Christ is risen and present in our world; Christ reconciling all things to himself.

This Easter TEAR Fund is committed to the ongoing task of peace-building in this troubled area known as the ‘Great Lakes’ and includes Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Congo. In partnership with our Christian peace-building coalition, the Global Reconciliation Network, and the World Evangelical Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, we are bringing together internationally regarded peace-builders and conflict reconciliation specialists to train leaders, local pastors and churches in Biblically based Christian peace-building and peacekeeping strategies. We’re doing this in a number of steps.

1. Bringing together Christian leaders of influence and equipping them practically and theologically in the biblical imperative of peace-building against the background of the regions’ historical context of conflict.

2. Sharing together stories and case studies of peace-building success.

3. Providing training in conflict resolution strategies at the local church and community level.

4. Equipping the church with peace-making resources, ongoing support and follow-up.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in aid and development, I can say quite confidently that conflict is a major factor in poverty, suffering and misery. Deal with conflict, and the challenge of poverty is made easier. People cooperate, resources are released, communities find confidence, people feel safe and secure, and the church grows.

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