Ambassadors of Reconciliation

• The authors of this compendium argue persuasively and passionately from Scripture that holistic kingdom mission must include reconciliation. Blending theology, practice, and case studies, their invitations to restoring broken relationships include examples from multiple continents and contexts. This volume offers a timely appeal in our divided world. 

  — David W. Bennett, DMin, PhD, Global Associate Director and Congress Director, Seoul 2024, Lausanne Movement 

• How refreshing to read this collection of articles addressing the brokenness of our world with a message of hope! Seeing reconciliation as part of our shared calling motivates these writers to reflect theologically, identify practices of reconciliation, and offer case studies for consideration. People, created in God’s image and likeness, and their interactions lie at the heart of these articles. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers (Matt 5:9), and Paul says the church has been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5; Eph 2). Peacemaking and reconciliation offer an attractive paradigm for mission in the world today.

  — Jonathan Bornman, PhD, EMM Christian-Muslim Relations Team

• Ambassadors of Reconciliation is an inspired vision to reframe mission as reconciliation with God and our neighbor in all the dimensions where sin has divided and defiled us. This compendium is a comprehensive treatment of the subject—from the broadest biblical underpinnings to its practical expressions through reconciling disciples. In our war torn, justice thirsty world this volume offers a path forward. The Suffering Servant Sovereign King sends us as his incarnational ambassadors of reconciliation, with the humility and awareness that we have much work to do.

  — Randy Friesen, VP for Leadership Development, Global Disciples

• A cynical view of the world might believe that nothing is more constant than conflict, brokenness, and war. Yet the Christian hope is that God is quietly and consistently at work restoring and reconciling the world to himself through Jesus and his Spirit. I’m glad to see this timely set of theological, practical, and contextual reflections on the centrality of reconciliation and peacemaking in gospel work. My prayer is that it will serve as a catalyst to the Christian imagination of what our communities and our world might look like if only we truly believed, and lived, as if this Christian hope is true.

  — David Guretzki, PhD, President and Resident Theologian, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

• God’s mission of reconciling all things to himself (2 Cor 5:19) speaks to the heart of the gospel, and therefore to us as we bear this good news of reconciliation. The need for conversations on reconciliation grows in urgency as the world around us fractures. I have been deeply challenged and inspired by this landmark publication for EMS. Bringing together diverse voices contributing to the 2022EMS conference on reconciliation and mission, it demonstrates our growth as a society and deepening commitment to shalom and whole-life participation in the missio Dei.

  — Robin Harris, PhD, President, Global Ethnodoxology NetworkChair, Center for Excellence in World Arts at Dallas International UniversityPast president, EMS (2020–2022)

• A major challenge today lies in pursuing peace and reconciliation at different levels of society. The EMS 2022 compilation is a tremendous recourse with practical and pragmatic ideas on peace building. This compilation is critical for Africa, a continent which has experienced turmoil from precolonial times to date, events which have resulted in intergenerational trauma. This book is profoundly helpful,and insightful, with remarkable case studies as it helps church leaders and others build a theological framework for reconciliation.

  — Martin Kapenda, PRN African Regional Coordinator

• This magnificent collection of theology, praxis, and real examples rekindles our imagination for how good the good news really is and how great the great commission of Jesus must be. In a world fractured and fragmented by sin, the global voices of the contributors create a compelling chorus. Get this book to be challenged to embrace and pursue with deeper consideration and renewed vigor the reconciling mission of God.

  — Walter Kim, President, National Association of Evangelicals

• Peace and reconciliation cannot be understood without an understanding of the mission. This book is a great help in understanding the mission for peace and reconciliation that is most needed in today’s world. It is important because it encompasses a theological perspective and practical practices of mission, peace, and reconciliation.

  — Thir Koirala, Asia Coordinator, Peace and Reconciliation Network

Authors

• Geoff Hartt
• Michael A. Ortiz
  Michael A. Ortiz

  Michael A. Ortiz (PhD, Seminario Teológico Centroamericano) serves as VP for Global Ministries and is Associate Professor in Missiology at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Executive Director of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education. 

  See works they contributed to →

Editor

• Manuel Böhm
  Manuel Böhm

  Manuel Böhm (MA) has been working for the Peace and Reconciliation Network (PRN, a commission of the World Evangelical Alliance) since its beginning in 2016. He works with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and is a licensed worker with The Alliance of Canada. 

  See works they contributed to →