Amahoro means peace. It is a word of traditional African origin used widely across Africa. It has special meaning in places like Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo, where violence and genocide have inflicted such pain and suffering. When people from various tribes embrace, shake hands or kiss, and say "amahoro," they are expressing a deep hope for a better future.
Amahoro is a precious word in places where Christianity in the modern colonial era spread a message of grace and forgiveness for life after death, but did not integrate that proclamation with the profound Biblical message of justice, peace, and reconciliation in this life on earth.
By choosing an African word to name this emerging global network, we are expressing our shared commitment to seek to understand, live, and communicate the good news of Jesus Christ in an integrated, holistic way. We are affirming our belief that people who follow Jesus have a special bond with the poor, and with those who suffer from injustice and poverty and disease. We are communicating our commitment to a global conversation, friendship, and partnership among Christian leaders and emerging churches in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Why Amahoro?
In recent years, in many places around the world, innovative Christian leaders have been reaching a similar conclusion: the modern colonial world is giving way to an emerging postmodern, postcolonial world. The methods, values, ideas, strengths, and weaknesses of modern Western Christianity have dominated for many centuries. But now many of us believe that a new day is here - a time for emerging leaders from South, North, East and West to learn and work together in unprecedented partnership and dialogue. Together we face a new world - full of new problems and opportunities, new challenges and promise, new obstacles and vision, new philosophies and conflicts, new questions and expressions.
Around the world, a conversation has been growing among an emerging generation of younger Christian leaders - often encouraged by thoughtful and forward-thinking older mentors. This conversation isn't just about exploring ideas; it is also about building relationships and building networks. That's why amahoro exists.
It seeks to encourage and facilitate a global conversation and network of friendships among Christian leaders engaging with the postcolonial, postmodern world.
Where are we?
Here are links to regional or national conversations that are part of the amahoro network:
If you would like to form a network in your area, or help your existing network connect with amahoro, please click here and let us know.
