International Peacemakers arrive in less than two weeks
by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Nta William Nche
LOUISVILLE — A pastor, activist and peacebuilder from Cameroon will serve as a 2022 International Peacemaker for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Rev. Nta William Nche is the national coordinator for peace work in the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, a central African country where division between armed groups and government forces has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and scores of displaced people.
“Our church has done a lot to help in the peacebuilding process by building the capacity of individuals and organizations” as well as “carrying out peace campaigns and building platforms for peace work,” said Nche, who arrives in the United States in a couple of weeks. There also has been a “yearly peace award, the formation of peace clubs in communities and schools, nonviolent campaigns in some schools and the building of trauma healing units.”
This month, Nche will be part of the first group of International Peacemakers to travel to the U.S., through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, since the Covid pandemic prompted the PC(USA) to switch temporarily to a virtual format.
Like his fellow peacemakers representing various PC(USA) partner organizations, Nche will give the church greater insight into important issues facing his country.
“These visits inform Presbyterians, open hearts and minds, touch lives, establish relationships and inspire new ministries,” according to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. “Their visits broaden our sense of God’s inclusive family and help equip us to build a culture of peace and nonviolence for all God’s children.”
Nche’s participation in the program is an extension of his work as a crusader for peace in his country and abroad. He has been involved in Preacher for Peace workshops with pastors and is project manager for peace journalism and conflict transformation, which involves more than 400 journalists and civil society actors in eight regions of Cameroon.
His goal in coming to the United States is to “build capacity” and “share and network for world peace,” he said. “The outcome will be to understand different perspectives in peacebuilding from different backgrounds” and encourage “different facets of the community to develop and live a culture of peace.”
Since 1984, more than 350 International Peacemakers from 60 countries have been hosted through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. This year’s Peacemakers will be featured in a virtual chapel service at 9 a.m. on Sept. 21 on the PC(USA) Facebook and YouTube pages.
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program is one of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The International Peacemakers Program is made possible by your generous gifts to the Peace and Global Witness Offering.
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