Key Takeaways
- The “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit” will take place November 6‑7, 2026 at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania.
- Best‑selling author Shane Claiborne will deliver the opening keynote titled “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.”
- The summit invites Christians of all traditions to examine non‑violent responses to war, polarization, and nationalism.
- Registration is open; fees are $75 for adults, $50 for young adults, with free admission for high‑school youth when accompanied.
- The first 50 registrants receive a complimentary copy of Rethinking Life and a free copy of The Peace Position resource.
- Generous support from The Schowalter Foundation makes the event possible.
Opening Keynote and Vision
Best‑selling author and lifelong peace advocate Shane Claiborne is slated to open the summit with a keynote address called “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.” Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, who serves as the denomination’s minister for Peace & Justice and chairs the planning committee, framed the gathering as an invitation for participants to re‑engage the biblical call to peace “as we listen, learn and discern with one another.” Drawing on Anabaptist convictions, the summit seeks to equip attendees with theological and practical tools for resisting militarism, fostering justice, and re‑imagining public life through the lens of love and non‑violence.
Summit Mission and Audience
Rooted in the historic peace‑church tradition of Mennonite Church USA, the event deliberately welcomes participants of all faith backgrounds. Its purpose is to confront the growing dominance of militarism in U.S. policy, discourse, and culture—characterized by defense spending that outpaces the combined budgets of the next several nations and persistent overseas conflicts. A 2022 denominational survey revealed that three‑quarters of MC USA members view peacemaking as essential to their personal faith, underscoring the urgency for a dedicated conversation.
Planning Committee and Collaborative Leadership
The summit’s organizing team brings together a diverse array of leaders: Iris de León‑Hartshorn (MC USA operations associate), Eric Frey Martin (Mennonite Mission Network), Galen Fitzkee (Mennonite Central Committee), and Nathan Toews (MCC). Together they curate a program that blends scholarly insight, grassroots activism, and pastoral care, aiming to provide practical pathways for participants to “wage peace” within their own communities. Their shared vision reflects a commitment to both theological fidelity and contemporary relevance.
Why Mobilize a Militarism Summit Now?
Militarism— the belief that military strength is the primary means of securing safety—shapes more than just foreign policy; it infiltrates economic priorities, cultural narratives, and political identity. As churches grapple with intersecting geopolitical tensions and nationalist rhetoric, MC USA affirms the incompatibility of militaristic ideology with the Gospel’s call to love neighbors and pursue justice. By convening a summit at this moment, the organizers hope to create a sacred space where believers can wrestle with these complex realities, exchange stories of resistance, and discover actionable methods for living out non‑violent witness in a fractured world.
Featured Keynote Speakers
Shane Claiborne joins the opening session alongside Joy Metzler, a former Air Force officer who recently became a conscientious objector after witnessing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Metzler’s decision to resign in 2025 sparked a nationwide dialogue about the moral implications of U.S. foreign aid, and she now collaborates with groups such as Veterans for Peace and About Face Veterans to advance a peace‑centered agenda. Both speakers embody lived testimonies of faith‑driven activism and will challenge attendees to reflect on the personal costs of waging peace.
Learning Opportunities and Seminar Topics
Beyond the plenary addresses, participants can select from a rich menu of workshops that include conscientious objection, non‑violent direct action training, the nexus of militarism and climate justice, strategies for countering radicalization from a Christian perspective, and youth‑led peacebuilding initiatives. A panel titled “Bearing the Cost, Building the Peace: Women and Militarism” will spotlight women directly affected by military policies, amplifying under‑represented voices. These sessions are designed to equip attendees with concrete skills—ranging from advocacy tactics to community‑based conflict transformation—that can be deployed immediately after the summit.
Registration Details and Incentives
Registration is currently open, with a fee of $75 for adult participants and $50 for young adults aged 19‑25. High‑school youth may attend at no cost when accompanied by a sponsor or pastor. Early registrants receive a complimentary copy of Shane Claiborne’s Rethinking Life and a free copy of The Peace Position: Stories and Witness for Today’s Peacemakers, a new resource published collaboratively by MennoMedia, MC USA, and Mennonite Mission Network. Interested individuals can secure their spot through the online portal at https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism‑summit/.
Foundational Support and Institutional Context
The summit is made possible through the financial generosity of The Schowalter Foundation, whose mission aligns with sustaining Anabaptist peace witness. Mennonite Church USA—formed in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church—continues a legacy of rejecting violence and standing against injustice. Its “Renewed Commitments” articulate a shared confession: to follow Jesus, embody God’s peace, and experience the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. By anchoring the summit within this theological and historical framework, organizers reinforce the denomination’s enduring dedication to a non‑violent ethic that speaks to contemporary realities.
Conclusion and Forward Momentum
The upcoming “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit” represents a timely and prophetic gathering for the broader Mennonite Church USA and its allies. With a compelling blend of keynote inspiration, diverse learning experiences, and practical incentives for early participants, the event promises to deepen theological understanding and empower concrete action against militarism. As attendees depart, the expectation is that they will carry renewed conviction and resources back to their congregations, neighborhoods, and spheres of influence—continually translating the Gospel’s peace ethic into tangible, world‑changing practice.***