A group of participants in the 2024 Peace Messengers training, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo: LWF/J. C. Valeriano
First training hosted by youth in LAC region – applications open until 15 March
(LWI) – Youth in The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches are invited to apply for the 2025 training under the Peace Messengers program. The deadline is 15 March, and applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old.
This year’s training will be held in collaboration with the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala, from 4-9 May, in Antigua, Guatemala. It will be the first time for the international event to be hosted by youth in the LWF Latin America and Caribbean region.
As with subsequent training workshops since 2017, focus on Lutheran theology and concepts of peace will be closely linked to what trainees can learn from the host church context. The sessions structured around the Training Manual for Participants will be conducted in English and Spanish.
The Peace Messengers program equips young people in LWF’s member churches with skills to strengthen their contribution toward peace building and conflict resolution in both the church and their respective communities. At the end of the training, each participant is required to initiate a small-scale project at the local level with LWF’s support.
Through this initiative, we have witnessed the huge impact of youth involvement in peace building efforts locally and globally.
Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth
LWF Program Executive for Youth Savanna Sullivan shared her excitement about welcoming the next group of young leaders. “Every day it becomes clearer how essential it is for the people of God to boldly seek peace with justice in our communities around the world. Through this initiative, we have witnessed the huge impact of youth involvement in peace building efforts locally and globally,” she said.
Nearly 100 youth from all LWF regions have been trained as peace messenger. They have, in turn, multiplied that experience by training other young people in their home churches to join the growing movement of LWF Peace Messengers. By the end of 2024, the LWF peace messengers had carried out over 30 local peace projects “and the number is growing,” Sullivan added. The gathering in Antigua will include presentations on such initiatives.
All submissions must be endorsed by the Bishop or President of the applicant’s LWF member church.
