International Ministries (IM) is proud to announce a new partnership between IM global consultants the Rev. Sharon and the Rev. Dr. Dan Buttry and Central Baptist Theological Seminary related to the Buttrys’ work in peace and non-violence.

“Our collaboration with Central will enable the seminary be a center for global thinking acted out both locally in the Kansas City area and also globally through Central’s partnerships with other academic institutions in other countries,” says Dan. “That global connection will weave in well with our years of mission work with IM.”

Sharon has high hopes for this innovative collaboration: “What if every youth and adult leader in the world could be trained in conflict transformation? With today’s technology and Central’s amazing commitment to educate people for peace, this new partnership can reach the world like never before. I am hopeful that ‘the things that make for peace’ will capture the attention of many and make conflict transformative. My dream is that someday people will say, ‘Violence? What was that?’ Praise God for visionary leaders and institutions like IM and Central that make dreams come true!”

Central recognized the contributions of Dan as a global consultant with IM in 2009 when its Board of Trustees awarded Dan the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, in recognition of his work in peace and nonviolence. IM is delighted to deepen the longstanding relationship with Central through a closer relationship with the Buttrys’ work.

“A strategic alliance to address conflict and peace issues in the U.S. and globally is much needed,” said the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, IM area director for East Asia, China and India. “May God richly bless this IM-Central-Buttry partnership.”

The details and scope of this new phase of the Buttrys’ work have not yet been finalized. Central intends to announce the full plans for this collaboration in spring 2018. Dan launched a website focused on peace and nonviolence in the fall of 2017 to expand the reach of the resources that he and Sharon have been developing. The collaboration with Central will provide even more educational resources and enhance various training opportunities.

Founded in 1901, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, with a main campus in Shawnee, Kansas, and course offerings in a dozen locations, serves more than 30 Christian denominations. The seminary is Baptist in heritage and ecumenical in practice. It prepares women and men to seek God, shape the church and serve humanity. For more information, visit www.cbts.edu.

More information about Dan and Sharon Buttry is available on their profile pages (Dan’s profile; Sharon’s profile). To send words of encouragement or support, contact Dan at dan.buttry@internationalministries.org and Sharon at sharon.buttry@internationalministries.org.

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