Blessed are the peacemakers: a pastoral call from Jerusalem in a time of war

I was born into a land where the language of war is more familiar than the language of peace. In the Holy Land—where the message of peace first echoed through the words of Christ—we continue to live under the shadow of conflict.

War has become normal in our region—but it should never be acceptable.

For most of my life, I have witnessed the relentless rhythm of violence: it rises, it devastates, and it returns again, each time leaving deeper wounds in our people and in our future. War has become normal in our region—but it should never be acceptable.

As a father, I find myself asking what kind of world my children will inherit. Will they grow up knowing peace, or will they carry the same fears that have shaped my generation? As a pastor, I look into the eyes of my congregation and see both deep faith and quiet anxiety.

Young men and women... dream not merely of survival, but of dignity, purpose, and a future beyond war.

And as the president of a Christian college, I carry the hopes of young men and women who dream not merely of survival, but of dignity, purpose, and a future beyond war.

Standing in this place—sacred to billions, yet scarred by conflict—I find myself living between two realities: the pain I have witnessed all my life, and the vision of peace that God has placed in my heart. I refuse to accept that violence is our destiny. We were not created for war. We were created for peace.