Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Inc.

BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz helped me connect with other activists and I was able to offer practices from my Buddhist tradition related to meditation and breathing to help these activists take care of themselves so they could do their important work in the world in a more grounded and sustainable manner. It is a great organization that helps people renew themselves and feel connected and supported. Thank you BPFNA������������

I believe that BPFNA is a unique organization and does exceptional work for further dialogue for justice and peace. They are open and non -judgmental , they support and train and educate people everywhere in how to break barrier that stop open communication which lead to conflict and their education and training techniques help any person in any walk of life to use non violent language and engage in dialogue leading to transformative peace. When I took the course offered I became a much more confident and bold person not running away from conflict but accepting the invitation to dialogue and challenge my beliefs and barriers.
Rose Merke Edmonton Alberta, Canada

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of N. America, a Christian organization. It believes that every person on the globe is loved by God, and should be treated justly. That is the direction to bring peace.

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America helps you learn to resolve conflict without violence and without putting others down. You learn to listen to many sides of an issue and work with people involved in the conflict to come up with a solution good for all.

In a time when peace sounds almost like an unpatriot word in Baptist circles, the BPFNA continues to link together efforts across the continent to call believers to "beat their swords into plow shares" and employ peacemaking as a higher calling than violent intervention. Daniel G. Bagby

The Baptist Pace Fellowship of North America has crated a community concerned with non-violent solutions to conflict between persons, organizations and nations. They understand the "myth of redemptive violence" and the way that all violence breeds new violence. BPFNA provides me with a company of kindred souls seeking peace and pursuing it together in a troubled world.

BPFNA builds relationship of trust to bridge the chaos that results from the experience of injustice. Peace Fellowship provides a forum for dialogue and a company of folks committed to resolving conflict. Conducting peace training in this country, in India, and in the midst of natural and man-made disasters allows people to move beyond the blame game to a healing process.

BPFNA has dedicated leaders and volunteers who consistently respond to crisis and make a difference for peace. They provide information, leadership, and action opportunities for those wanting to make a difference for peace..

Their summer Peace Camps bring together people who share a passion for peace with resource people who have showed us and continue to show us peace paths that we can use in our commitment to peace.

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America truly is a Great Nonprofit. It deserves to become a favored household word for all who long for peace.

BPFNA is an amazing organization. They operate with the same ideals they hold dear for their work. They care about others' ideas and ideals. They lead in education for Baptists and others who want to join in on the peace journey. I have been to the Peace Camp (annual conference) several times and have learned much from people, courses, media, testimony.

This group never quits in its work for peace and saving the environment. Amazing work it does!

This organization draws together all the myriad of Baptist groups to work together to advance God's Community of Shalom. It offers training, inspiration and encouragement, valuable information and insights, and biblical perspectives on peacemaking. It has taken stands on difficult issues and provided helpful discussion on them. I recommend it highly.

The BPFNA has been instrumental in helping our organization, the Baptist Peacemakers of RI,
in educating our community and churches regarding issues of Peace and Justice. They have
been a great resource in providing workshops that we have sponsored in the past. We have
recently completed a conflict transformation workshop that was well attended by members
of several churches and community organizations. They have been very helpful In keeping
us informed about current issues of peace and justice and inspiring us in productive activities.
Many of our members have received inspiration and skills by attending the annual peace camp
and other events.

The BPFNA does great peace and justice work all around the world, working with similarly minded folks, both Baptists and non-Baptists. It's a great support organization also for those on the front line of peace and justice work.
Linda Mashburn

As a pastor, who has served many churches in my lifetime, I am fortunate that most all of hose churches have been members of BPFNA, In addition to such programs as "Peace" Camp, the way of peace with justice, and non-violent responses to world and local crises has been an experience each individual could practice and learn to make a difference in the world. Now as a church planter in the greater Orlando area, I sought first to become a partner congregation with BPFNA, because I believe so strongly in their/our mission in our world. The Rev. Gary W. Harris

By attending Peace Camp many summers I have learned so much more about several more Peace & Justice issues that has impacted my thinking & actions. I have made so many friends that I see year after year so that they have become part of my church family & I keep in contact with a number of them throughout the year. The quarterly magazine keeps & list serve keeps me up to date with actions & friends at least for my prayer list even if the actions are one I am to far to do myself. Having been a member & supported BPFNA for over 20 years because I have seen how my money used well & is being helpful.

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America is a diverse group of individuals and a broad consortium of churches that share a single objective: to encourage, create and sustain peace making efforts. BPFNA is both visionary and practical in the promotion of peace making. I heard Ambassador Andrew Young speak last evening and he said that when he arrives at the pearly gates, God will not ask him about his ambassadorship or his number of honorary doctorates. He said that God will ask, "Did you shelter the stranger, clothe the naked, feed the hungry and lift up the poor?" BPFNA actively reminds us of these responsibilities AND provides leadership and opportunities and support for us to ensure that others have life's essentials.

BPFNA is an outstanding organization that I have supported for over 20 years. There are few organizations that are able to accomplish all that they do for peace in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They are full of highly educated, highly compassionate people who are on the front lines of peacemaking work. It is a Christian organization, but I know many people that support it who come from a variety of faith and non-faith backgrounds.

I have been a supporter of the BPFNA from its beginning. I don't have a lot of money to contribute, but I have found its publications inspirational, and I believe it is an important voice for those of us who try to be "red letter" Christians: people who take Jesus at his word that we should do good wherever possible and work for peace among all God's children, for they are our sisters and brothers, whoever and wherever they are.
Charlotte Ward
Auburn Alabama
member and life deacon, Auburn First Baptist Church

I participated in a Conflict Transformation Workshop, developed and led by Baptist Peace Fellowship staff. It was incredibly valuable to me in my work in multicultural communities. The exercises and learnings are applicable in a wide variety of settings. What could be more important today than learning how to resolve ordinary, everyday conflicts in healthy ways that build and sustain community?

As a member of Fairview Baptist Church's Peace and Justice team, I heartily endorse the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America's long-term commitment to peace and justice, especially its conflict resolution work in a global context.
July 2014 the BPFNA Peace Conference held in St Catharines ON was transformative, engaging in sometimes difficult task of coming to terms with monumental injustice experienced by First Nations people and also environmental issues.

My friendships with Baptist Peace Fellowship members have inspired and sustained me for over 25 years.

Now I know, personally, other Baptists across the USA and in Canada and in Central America and around the world who are dedicated to peacemaking.

I've traveled to Russia, Romania, Sweden, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel with BPFNA. My husband has gone to Nicaragua as well as to those countries. We've met BPFNA members in Cuba. We've met comfortable and poor people, native Americans and African-Americans, people who have been jailed for civil disobedience, people whose first language is Spanish, Burmese, more. These contacts give me hope.

I worked as an intern for the BPFNA, and was thoroughly impressed with the time I spent with them. The organization works to reach people in all corners of the earth, and spreads peace wherever their reach extends. They are an organization truly dedicated to peace, and I've rarely had the experience to work with such honest, passionate, people who throw themselves whole-heartedly into peacemaking!

Mattie Kearse

BPFNA has served as an education source for peace and justice matters for years. I have attended 12 consecutive Summer Conferences (Peace Camp), each one empowers me and sustains me in my daily work for peace and justice. Good people gather to tell our stories of our journey. Thank you BPFNA.

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America does wonderful things around the world. Their work with conflict transformation and their friendship tours help around the world. Their work for peace is so needed in today's world and they do it well.

Yes, I first learned about Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America by the little small church I was attending maybe nine years ago. They told me there was a camp happening in Utah & I would love to attend for the summer because first time visitors were FREE. I wasn't really wanting to go at first but I took the dare and went on an Amtrak and actually had a blast. I got to hang out with the Camp Director, which was a lovely woman, who asked me if I wanted to be her assistant during the camp. I helped her stay organizied and did other things during the whole week. I actually got to help out with the children's portion of camp in the morning time, which was refreshing and enlighten for the whole week.

I learned a great deal during that week about Peace, Love, Hope, Working Together and the Mission of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. I've been to Peace Camp a total of seven times now because of wanting to give my time during the summer in order to help LeDayne and Peace Camp with anything that I can make it a better place. I took pictures, help the Camp Director and LeDayne this past summer (2014) and even had time to learn new things about peace during those times I was at camp.

BPFNA is a wonderful organization and I would recommend it to others around the country & world to explore especially if they're wanting to learn about justice, peace and equality for themselves along with their family.

BPFNA takes its mission to work for peace, equality and justice to the highest level, in its ideals and in the practical application of effective strategies and actions. In my book it ranks right up there with the Southern Poverty Law Center. Unfortunately they do not have nearly as big a budget, but in the best nonprofit tradition, they do a lot with a little!

We first became aware of BPFNA 30 years ago, and have been enthusiastic participants in its programs and Peace Camps. What we appreciate most is that it's a grassroots movement, responsive to the needs of marginalized people, and transparent in its operations. It's small enough to keep administrative costs low, yet has a global reach, with many partners who are at the forefront of practical peacemaking initiatives in troubled areas of our world. It's sometimes a challenge to find a local church that has a passion for peace and social justice, but over the years BPFNA has provided a spiritual home for us. Its publications and topical resources have been useful in our church and in our personal lives. We heartily recommend the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Ron & Barbara Getz

What inspires me most about BPFNA is their acceptance of everyone, the way they are. Many church organizations sponsor mission trips, but with BPFNA it is different. Mission trips (Friendship Tours as they are called) for the BPFNA are not about inflicting personal beliefs and views on others. They are about reaching out to others, creating connections, and welcoming people to join in on the path to peace. This organization is truly remarkable and deserves to be recognized as a Great Nonprofit!

I support BPF because they work for justice and equality and those are causes I can embrace and relate to. This is my walk in life... to quote Micah 6:8 --He has showed you, O man, what is good. ...to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

BPFNA does a wonderful job of training leaders in conflict resolution. Then they facilitate the placement of these leaders in needed areas. The summer Peace Camps are outstanding and a way for fellow peace makers to spend time with and encourage each other.

I am the pastor of a Church that wishes to be actively involved in contributing towards Justice and its resulting peace. BPFNA has been wonderful in helping us in various ways. One essential component of this help has been their wonderful way of keeping us informed and educated about issues relating to peace and Justice locally and globally. That information in turn has helped us become more involved from a more informed position. The result has been that we have been able to contribute more effectively towards peace and Justice. However, the best part of our relationship with BPFNA has been what we have received by way of support and a sense that there is a greater body of people working towards goals we see as fundamental to the Christian calling left to us by Jesus.
Rev. Avilesbernal

I am especially thankful for all the collaborative efforts world-wide and locally, to train leaders in CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION. Incredible resources have been developed, and the results are exciting as those folk put into practice what they have experienced and learned.

I have had the pleasure of attending conferences (Summer Camps!) with BPFNA over the years and participating in peace and social justice actions with the organization. I am a follower of BPFNA online and continue to be inspired and encouraged by the work I witness through Facebook, e-mail, and newsletters.
BPFNA staff, Board Members, member organizations, and active members are a spirit-filled group of people doing great work in the world.
I am completely comfortable saying that the word is a better place and has a brighter future because of the work of BPFNA.
Thank you for this opportunity to recognize that important work.

I've always considered myself to be a peacemaker, but my involvement with the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America and its activities, especially attendance at the yearly Peace Camp, has deepened my understanding of what it means to wage peace. I was never an activist for peaceful resolution of differences or for seeking to involve members of my community in efforts to "seek peace and pursue it" until I became involved with BPFNA. The Fellowship, led by a dedicated team of staffers working with a host of volunteers, works not only in North America but, by the use of methods such as Conflict Transformation training, globally to bring an awareness that there are non-violent ways to resolve differences. I commend their work and am proud to be a supporter.

I am a big believer in the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Our tenured staff works beautifully as a team, complementing each others' gifts. The Board of Directors is fully engaged, representative of the four-nation membership base. And the BPFNA is inspired by long-range vision and goals arising from a multi-year plan that has been revised several times over. it represents for Baptists almost the only multi-denominational group that stands in our proud but minority tradition of peace, justice and equality. They sometimes have paid the price for standing in this tradition, but it only emboldens them all the more. It's a great organization and I am proud to contribute to it. - Dr. Stephen D. Jones, pastor, First Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri

BPFNA is staffed by exceptional, experienced, caring individuals who insure funds are wisely spent to execute their mission.

Vital to the understanding that breeds peace. This organization, which is the sum of its parts/members, is truly a blessed gift to our world.

As a Baptist clergy person, I am proud and thrilled by the work of BPFNA. Through social media they provide information and resources not always available to those of us "in the field". Additionally through gatherings during the year relationships can be nurtured with others who share my convictions. Finally I was made aware of other entities such as "Equal Exchange" that I am able to support. I affirm the work of BPFNA enthusiastically! !

Early in my adulthood -- quite a few years ago -- the BPFNA (then newly formed) helped awaken me to the connection between the fairly narrow faith I grew up with to where I am now in terms of my faith understanding, and also the connection between all of that and a world in great need of justice and peace -- achieved not only by words, but by concrete actions. It has continued to do that for me, and to encourage me to never stop growing. More broadly, the BPFNA plays a unique and vital role given its primary constituency, within and across various Baptist denominations and national identities.

I can't begin to say all the ways in which BPFNA has made a difference in this world. Too, too many! I can say that this organization has changed my life in ways that are often very subtle, but have long lasting & far reaching effects. Simply put, I truly believe in the work they (& we) do to make a more peaceful world. Thank you. Truly.

As an advocate for human rights, justice, peace, and Earth care (sustainability), the BPFNA is a continuing source of inspiration and moral and spiritual support for me and many others. It can be a lonely struggle to be a voice for inclusiveness, cooperation, compassion and justice, in the midst of the status quo (business as usual approach) so wide spread in churches and society in general.

Their annual Peace camps, which I can occasionally get to, are particularly encouraging. They bring together big hearted, keen minded people from all over North America (and some form Central America) to tackle the big issues of our time, e.g., poverty, racism, alienation, war, gender inequality, the climate crisis) with top notch speakers, music and films that combine both head and heart approaches for alleviating the pain in our world.

If I can't get to that, there's always the Journal of the BPFNA called Baptist Peacemaker, to keep me going. Unfortunately the word "Baptist" in the title puts some people off because they associate it with a large, particularly non-inclusive fundamentalist Baptist denomination that definitely does not have the values of the BPFNA. All the more reason to publicize this life-giving, peace-making nonprofit organization.

Rev. Isobel McGregor
Waterloo, ON, Canada

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Inc. (BPFNA) means and continues to mean a great deal to me. I have participated in three summer conferences sponsored by this organization and have come away convinced that what is taught at these conferences is the way to go in dealing with conflict, as well as justice issues. The staff and board members are of the highest quality and the workshops are educational and empowering.
Recently LeDayne McLeese Polaski, Program Coordinator of BPFNA, facilitated two Conflict Transformation Trainings in Ri. Those who attended gave positive reviews. The BPFNA does not work only in the USA, but in other countries to help empower the citizens to transform conflict in creative and peaceful ways. We need more of that action in our world today.
Janet, former President of the Baptist Peacemakers of RI

The BPFNA has many strengths, but I'll just mention two. One is it's local roots, encouraging members to be engaged in peacemaking initiatives in their own communities and contexts, networking people so they can encourage each other, and telling the stories of these efforts to inspire others in their own practice of peacemaking. Many movements have a philosophy about the importance of the grassroots, but the BPFNA has and continues to live out that value. Another strength is their global vision and action for the DOING of peacemaking. They have connected with peace activists in other parts of the world through their networking and found ways to empower them through training and finances to do nuts and bolts conflict transformation work. There are a lot of amazing stories that have been shared, but there are other stories waiting to be told. BPFNA--a great organization with a long track record!

The resources provided by the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America have been truly helpful to me. The information is timely and crucial. They have done much for peace.

Many people my age are concerned with starting careers and families. BPFNA helped link me to other young adults that would like to have a more peaceful open minded future for the families we are aspiring to start.

I have always appreciated the ongoing efforts of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America to promote peacemaking and provide educational resources on issues of oppression, poverty and social justice.

BPFNA is a wonderful organization. WE are so pleased to donate to an organization that supports the Beloved Community. The conferences are well organized and well run. The resources are so helpful. They make such a wonderful impact on such a limited budget. They connect US Baptists with Baptists around the world working for peace & justice. They make us proud to be Baptist!

The BPFNA is the best of what being a Christian and a Baptist is all about. For over twenty years as a member and for a time as a Board member this organization has been a large part of my life and a breath of fresh air in a world that often sees Christians who are Baptist as narrow-minded and fundamental.

The BPFNA makes me proud to be a Baptist. The organization connects me with folk around the world who are living out Jesus' call to be peacemakers, and encourages me in my own peacemaking efforts.

Fifteen years ago, when I came out as transgender, I never dreamed I would ever have a place in Baptist life again. Even though I am a committed Christian, was raised Baptist and ordained a Southern Baptist minister, the rhetoric I heard from Southern Baptist leaders about LGBT people was entirely negative. Then I heard about the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America (BPFNA). Longing for Christian companionship, I drove three days each way to attend last summer's conference (Peace Camp) in Spokane, Washington. It was one of the best weeks of my life. Not only did I find acceptance, I found home. This organization is a powerful witness for peace and reconciliation and stands as a beacon of hope, life and love to LGBT people searching for Christian community. The leadership is outstanding, the mission true to the Gospel of Christ and the fellowship a living incarnation of God's love. I am delighted and grateful to God that I found BPFNA, and I look forward to future Peace Camps. I cannot commend it to others highly enough.

My wife and I are members. We attended BPFNA Peace Camp for five summers. We took teen-aged grandchildren twice. The vision of peacemaking from our Baptist tradition and the practical matters of peacemaking encourage and challenge us. To work for peace with justice is both hard and joyful. Particularly the practice of conflict transformation. Often churches do not support those who give this priority. BPFNA equips us to spread a culture of peace where we now see, hear and read fear.

As a former board member and long time supporter, this organization continues to be of great service to the Baptist communities in North America and around the world. With Peace Camp offering some of the best opportunities for inter-generational education, advocacy, and relationship-building to equipping peacemakers with Conflict Transformation training to advocacy and presence in areas of conflict around the world to its award-winning publications, the BPFNA is a model of effectiveness and comprehensive programming for faith-based peace and justice organizations. I am proud to be associated with them and to support them year after year in their work and vision.

This organization has the most profound influence on children and youth that I have ever experienced in my 60 years of work with young people. The young people who have grown up in summer Peace Camps show their maturity, insight, global awareness and human sensitivity on the evening the youth have responsibility for the service. I have been deeply impressed every time (5 times) I have been part of the experience. The youth from our own church have known great benefits even though they have only attended one or two camps. The youth are our future and the BPFNA pours its soul into the youth program giving the world a more promising future.

The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has become a beacon of hope in my own life, connecting me with others across North America who are engaged in the work of peace rooted in justice. The annual gathering, or "Peace Camp," is a week-long experience of personal and corporate formation as peacemakers that demonstrably changes the lives and inedibly shapes the perspectives of those who attend. Those who connect with the Baptist Peace Fellowship, either by attending Peace Camp or through a partner congregation, become inspired, diligent workers of peace rooted in justice, both within their local communities and throughout the world.

A great inter-generational, inter-ethnic and even inter-denominational group of friends and activists committed to a more generous and peaceful world. Fascinating programs and projects of an international nature with opportunities for people to volunteer for shorter or longer periods of time. Check it out!