Best-selling author Shane Claiborne to deliver opening keynote
ELKHART, Ind. (July 08, 2026) — Mennonite Church USA Executive Board – in partnership with Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee – will host “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit” on Nov. 6-7, 2026, at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Rooted in Anabaptist faith values, the two-day gathering seeks to bring together Christians to explore faithful responses to war, political polarization, nationalism and violence.
Best-selling author and lifelong peace advocate Shane Claiborne will deliver the opening keynote address, “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.”
Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, denominational minister for Peace & Justice for MC USA and chair of the summit planning committee
“As followers of Jesus, we are called to imagine a different way of engaging a world shaped by fear, violence and division,” said Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, denominational minister for Peace & Justice for MC USA and chair of the summit planning committee. “This summit is an invitation to renew our call to the way of peace as we listen, learn and discern with one another.”
Other members of the planning committee are Iris de León-Hartshorn, MC USA; Eric Frey Martin, Mennonite Mission Network, MC USA’s mission agency; Galen Fitzkee, Mennonite Central Committee, and Nathan Toews, Mennonite Central Committee.
This summit is an invitation to renew our call to the way of peace as we listen, learn and discern with one another.
Although rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition, the summit is open to people of all faith backgrounds.
Why host a militarism summit now?
Militarism, the belief that military power is the primary means of achieving security and resolving conflict, increasingly shapes public life, public discourse and cultural values in the United States. The nation’s annual military spending now exceeds that of the next several countries combined, while ongoing conflicts around the world continue to raise urgent moral and humanitarian questions.
Within many churches, geopolitical conflicts and nationalism have become increasingly entwined with religious identity. As a historic peace church, MC USA affirms Jesus’ call to love our neighbors, seek justice and practice nonviolence. In a 2022 denominational survey, more than three-quarters of MC USA members identified peacemaking as one of their core personal faith commitments.
“As Anabaptists, the question being asked among our churches is how to faithfully respond to a world marked by war, polarization and injustice,” said de León-Hartshorn, associate executive director of Operations for MC USA. “Waging Peace will offer opportunities to wrestle with difficult questions alongside experienced practitioners and to discover practical ways to build peace in our communities as a way to faithfully follow Jesus.”
Keynote speakers
Shane Claiborne – Speaker, Activist and Best-Selling Author
Claiborne, the opening keynote speaker, is a best-selling author and activist who has inspired Christians around the world to put their faith into action through peace, justice and compassionate service. He has worked alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, advocated against war and violence, and has been featured in Christianity Today, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, NPR and more. In 2023, he received the King Center’s Beloved Community Award for Social Justice, presented by Dr. Bernice King.
Joy Metzler – Conscientious Objector, Peace Advocate
The closing keynote will be delivered by Joy Metzler, a conscientious objector and peace advocate. Metzler separated from the Air Force in 2025 as a 2nd Lt., citing U.S. funding and partnership in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza as her turning point. She started speaking out against these crimes while active duty, and her advocacy has continued with groups such as Veterans for Peace, About Face Veterans, and local groups she has partnered with or started.
Learning opportunities
Participants will choose from seminars exploring topics such as conscientious objection, nonviolent action and organizing, the intersection of militarism and climate justice, Christian responses to radicalization, and youth-focused peacebuilding.
Saturday’s program will also feature a panel discussion, “Bearing the Cost, Building the Peace: Women and Militarism,” highlighting the experiences of women whose lives have been directly shaped by militarism.
First 50 registrants receive a complimentary copy of “Rethinking Life” by Shane Claiborne
Registration
Registration is now open. The cost is $75 for adults and $50 for young adults ages 19-25. High school youth may attend free when accompanied by a youth sponsor or pastor.
The first 50 registrants will receive a complimentary copy of “Rethinking Life” by Shane Claiborne. Every registrant also will receive a free copy of “The Peace Position: Stories and Witness for Today’s Peacemakers,” a new resource developed by MennoMedia, in partnership with MC USA and Mennonite Mission Network.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism-summit/.
Waging Peace is made possible through the generous financial support of The Schowalter Foundation.
Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice. MC USA’s Renewed Commitments state the following shared commitments among its diverse body of believers: to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit. Mennoniteusa.org
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Written by Camille Dager