Drawing together young leaders from diverse communities in the U.S. and beyond, the GAP Institute studies the impacts of global interconnectedness by reflecting on communities through international and local case studies. GAP gives young people a chance to reflect on how God's shalom or peace can be incorporated into complex global issues and to learn more about global and local challenges.
Through classes on topics such as food systems, restorative justice, the environment and migration, students are encouraged to let their faith inspire them to take action against injustice at home and across the globe. "As peace-builders we recognize the huge gap between God's ideal and the present reality. And as peace-builders we stand in that gap, as we draw on God's strength and employ it to serve in a broken world," said Tim Geddert, Ph.D., professor at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and GAP Institute professor.
This is the third annual institute hosted by West Coast Mennonite Central Committee and FPU.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a worldwide relief organization of Anabaptist churches that shares God's love for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice.
Emily Stednick is the West Coast communications coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee.
In the photo: Participants in the 2010 Global Anabaptist Peacebuilders Institute include, from left: Maria and Esther Rosales, Hanford, CA; Erica Cuellar, Sanger, CA; Cesar Rodriguez, Fresno, CA; Zerubbabel Zeleke, Fresno, CA; (kneeling) Bettina Goossen, Mayor Vera, Asuncion, Paraguay; Jenny Stoecker, Fort Collins, CO; Mark Baker, Ph.D., Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary faculty; and Galen Wiest, Eugene, OR (MCC Photo/ Emily Stednick)