THE PEACEMAKERS COHORT
A 9-month peacemaking training program for Christian leaders
June 2024 – February 2025
Bring peacemaking to your congregation and community.
The Telos Peacemakers Cohort brings together a select group of American Christian leaders, offering them unique immersive experiences, in-depth teaching from paradigm–shifting peacemakers, and space for candid conversations.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
Cohort participants travel with us through our two immersive experiences in Israel/Palestine and the US South.
These journeys offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the historic and contemporary sources of conflict and what it will take to transform it.
1. ReStory US
June 19-26 2024
The story of America is uniquely aspirational. Yet its story has been fractured, leaving a legacy of inequality, injustice, and division today. But while our past informs our present, it doesn’t have to dictate our future. By telling a more true and honest story of America’s past, we can begin the work of repair and transform our future into one in which all of us can be free. This experience will uniquely equip Christian leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate controversial issues in the US, and engage in the work of peacemaking and justice in their own communities.
2. Israel/Palestine
*October 15-24, 2024
(Location subject to change)
Experience both the beauty and the brokenness of the modern Holy Land. While enjoying delicious local cuisine, beautiful scenery, and ancient holy sites, you’ll also be grappling with one of the worlds’ thorniest conflicts by engaging a variety of perspectives on both sides. In all of this, you’ll come alongside those who are suffering the effects of injustice, insecurity, discrimination, and dehumanization. And you’ll be inspired by those Israelis and Palestinians—Jews, Christians and Muslims—who are pursuing justice, peacemaking and reconciliation. This kind of pilgrimage has the power to be one of the most transformational experiences of your life.
3. Peacemakers Retreat
February 18-21, 2025
In a society that demands action without contemplation, we prioritize the inward journey of peacemaking as much as the outward journey of action. We gather in a beautiful retreat space for a time of reflection, contemplation, and strategizing to close the program and commission us unto our work beyond the experience.
PEACEMAKING TRAININGS
As polarization and conflict divide and disempower the church, learn what it means to be a peacemaking disciple/r.
Through relationships and seminars with paradigm-shifting peacemakers, build the skills necessary to lead your ministry, congregation, and community through conflict and injustice into flourishing.
Cohorts meet virtually 6–8 times over the program for seminars with cohort guides and experts.
COHORT COMMUNITY
Join a cohort of other leaders navigating changing church cultures and contexts. In a time of isolation and burnout for church leaders, the Peacemakers Cohort is meant to provide a space for collaboration, encouragement, and rest for church leaders.
REVIEWS
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“The Peacemakers Cohort helped to solidify in my mind what it means to be a peacemaker…The more that Christians practice [peacemaking] in their everyday lives and are empowered by and follow promptings from the Holy Spirit, the more that God’s shalom will be witnessed in our communities and around the world.”
Rev. Lisa Woicik, University Place Presbyterian
“My experience with the Telos cohort was revolutionary. The amount of stories, history, data, and experiences was rich. Every conversation, presentation and person met on the cohort was a gift that enriched my life. Peacemaking has become something tangible…”
2023 Cohort Participant
COHORT LEADERSHIP AND KEY PARTNERS
Todd Deatherage, Executive Director
Todd Deatherage, Executive Director. Todd spent sixteen years in senior positions in the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government before co-founding the Telos Group. From 2005 to 2009, he was Chief of Staff in the Secretary of State’s Office of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department. He also spent two years as Senior Advisor in the Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, where he specialized in religious freedom in the Middle East. Todd worked for a decade in the U.S. Congress, including six years as Chief of Staff to Senator Tim Hutchinson. He is a native Arkansan and a graduate of the University of Arkansas. He began his career as an educator. He and his family live in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, Cohort Chaplain
The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, Cohort Chaplain, has an undergraduate degree from Duke University, received his master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a master’s of Sacred Theology from Yale University and a PhD in theology and ethics, also from Duke University. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1993. Battle’s clergy experience, in addition to his current church work, includes serving as vicar at St. Titus Episcopal Church in Durham, NC, rector at Church of Our Saviour, in San Gabriel, California; rector at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Raleigh, N.C.; and interim rector or associate priest with other churches in North Carolina and in Cape Town, South Africa.On two occasions he moved into churches located in ethnically changing neighborhoods (to Asian in one and to Hispanic in the other) and helped both to adapt and grow. He also served as provost and canon theologian for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. In 2010, Battle was given one of the highest Anglican Church distinctions as “Six Preacher,” by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. A distinction given to only a few who demonstrate great dedication to the church that goes back to 16th century England and Thomas Cranmer. Battle’s academic experience includes service as interim dean of Students and Community Life at Episcopal Divinity School, dean for academic affairs, vice president and associate professor of theology at Virginia Theology Seminary; as associate professor of spirituality and black church studies, at Duke University’s Divinity School; and as assistant professor of spiritual and moral theology in the School of Theology at the University of the South. Battle has published eleven books, including his latest: Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor.In his PeaceBattle Institute he works on subjects of diversity, spirituality, prayer, race and reconciliation. Almost since its inception, he has served as pastor and spiritual director to hundreds of clergy and laity for CREDO for the Episcopal Church. He has also served as chaplain to Archbishop Tutu, Congressman John Lewis, the House of Bishops and, in 2008, was chaplain to the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops. He is a featured keynote speaker and has led numerous clergy and lay retreats, including the bishops’ retreat of the Province of the West Indies. In addition, Battle has served as vice president to the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Arun Gandhi’s Institute for Nonviolence. Battle and his wife, Raquel, were married by Archbishop Tutu and are parents to two daughters, Sage and Bliss, and a son, Zion. All of whom were baptized by Archbishop Tutu as well.
In his PeaceBattle Institute he works on subjects of diversity, spirituality, prayer, race and reconciliation. Almost since its inception, he has served as pastor and spiritual director to hundreds of clergy and laity for CREDO for the Episcopal Church. He has also served as chaplain to Archbishop Tutu, Congressman John Lewis, the House of Bishops and, in 2008, was chaplain to the Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops. He is a featured keynote speaker and has led numerous clergy and lay retreats, including the bishops’ retreat of the Province of the West Indies. In addition, Battle has served as vice president to the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Arun Gandhi’s Institute for Nonviolence. Battle and his wife, Raquel, were married by Archbishop Tutu and are parents to two daughters, Sage and Bliss, and a son, Zion. All of whom were baptized by Archbishop Tutu as well.
David Katibah, Director of Communications and Christian Engagement
David Katibah, Director of Communications and Christian Engagement. David grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied Economics, Political Science, and Philosophy. Prior to joining Telos, he spent time living and working with faith communities in East Asia, and studying at various theological institutions across North America.David is passionate about supporting transitional justice and conflict transformation efforts in the Middle East. He also believes in the transformative power of American Christian communities claiming their call to be peacemakers. His voice can be heard hosting the Telos Check-in podcast, and his writing can be read on his substack, “Awakenings.”
Yvonne Holden, Director of US Programming
Yvonne Holden, Director of US Programming. Yvonne is a Chicago native who is based in New Orleans. She is energized by finding the threads that connect us to each other. Before joining Telos, she served as the Director of Visitor Experience and Operations at Whitney Institute, a non-profit whose mission is to educate the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States on the historic site of Whitney Plantation. There she witnessed how history has the power to facilitate profound transformation.Through her career she has worked in and with organizations to ensure and advance equity and diversity through her roles in operations, human resources, and program development. In these roles she prioritized embedding care practices and diversity awareness in organizational structure.
Recently, she has served as a board member for Turning Tables and Resistance Served, two New Orleans-based non-profits that provide education and training resources for hospitality professionals in the community.
Robi Damelin, Director of International Relations, Parents Circle-Families Forum
Robi Damelin joined the PCFF after her son David was killed by a Palestinian sniper, and has dedicated her life to the message of reconciliation and non-violence at the Parents Circle. She is originally from South Africa, but currently lives in Jaffa. She was voted one of the 50 most influential women in 2015 by ”Women in the World” and received the Women’s Peace Maker award from the Joan Kroc School of Peace Studies, San Diego. She is the protagonist of the award winning documentary, “One Day after Peace” (Director: Erez Laufer).
Ainka Sanders Jackson
Ainka Jackson is the founding Executive Director of the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation, which is committed to bridging divides and building the Beloved Community. She was previously the Metro Guardian ad Litem for the Metro Nashville Public Defender’s Office, Juvenile Division. Jackson has presented at numerous conferences and institutions including, on truancy and the school to prison pipeline at the annual Samuel Dewitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocate Ministry and spoke at the United Nations in Switzerland about economic and racial equity.
Can I bring a spouse or a colleague on one of the trips?
We welcome and encourage you to bring an additional guest on the immersive experiences. This not only allows for the program to remain more affordable for everyone, it also creates opportunity for continued transformation and ongoing conversation in your community. Guests who share a room with Cohort participants will also receive a slightly discounted trip price based on double occupancy rates.
How much does the Peacemakers Cohort cost?
The final cost of the experience is determined by the number of Cohort participants who are selected to join. The expected costs of the program range from $9,500-$11,500.
Once accepted into the program, we require that you submit a deposit of $500 to secure your spot by February 1, 2024. A full payment schedule will be distributed upon acceptance to the program.
The costs of the Cohort cover all travel expenses for all three immersive experierences (including lodging, ground transportation, meals, honoraria…etc), honoraria for online meetings with peacemakers, and required reading materials. Flights to and from trip locations are not included in the program costs and are the participant’s responsibility to procure.
Are there scholarships available?
There are some partial scholarships funds available to applicants who submit especially compelling applications. Scholarships will be distributed on a rolling basis.
Scholarship recipients will be required to attend all Cohort trips and meetings, as well as provide an end-of-program reflection.
Do the trip dates provided include travel time?
Yes. All trip dates listed on this page include necessary travel to/from home locations.
What if I am unable to join one of the trips?
Because our Cohort and experiences place a high value on relationships, we ask that all Cohort members commit to being present for the full extent of the program.
If you do not believe your schedule will allow you to commit to all portions of the program, we encourage you to wait to apply to the program in another year. Alternatively, you are welcome to join us for a single trip. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to join the respective trip with the Cohort.