Act for Peace is excited to announce the appointment of Jarrod McKenna who joins the organisation in a new role as Mobilisation Strategist.
Jarrod has spent more than two decades helping churches and communities engage with issues of justice, peace and nonviolence. He has worked across Australia and internationally as a pastor, communicator, movement-builder and trainer.
His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Act for Peace, at a time when the organisation embarks on a new strategy to address displacement. Act for Peace is strengthening how they engage Australians in building peace with justice and Jarrod’s appointment as Mobilisation Strategist reflects a growing focus on mobilisation, church engagement and collective action alongside longstanding humanitarian work.
Act for Peace believes churches and communities of faith have a unique role to play in building peace with justice and as they look to the future, and are inviting the church into deeper participation, solidarity and action.
For more than 75 years, supporters have helped Act for Peace stand alongside people uprooted by conflict and disaster. This new role builds on that legacy by inviting Australian churches into deeper solidarity and action alongside local partners.
Jarrod has worked across Australia and internationally as a pastor, communicator, movement-builder and trainer. He was the founding National Director of Common Grace and former advisor and consultant with World Vision Australia and World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe as Nonviolent Social Change Advisor.
Jarrod is deeply respected in the international Christian community for his dedication to peacemaking and non-violence. Author and Franciscan Priest, Richard Rohr said: “It’s amazing that we should need to tell Christians that Jesus taught and surely lived a nonviolent life. And almost as amazing – and wonderful – that Jarrod McKenna should be able to teach it so well in our time and culture.”
With a deep commitment to peace, justice, refugee solidarity and grassroots action, Jarrod believes faith is expressed in how we stand with those who are vulnerable, displaced or excluded. “I think any organisation where the byline is confronting injustice together plays a crucial role at this moment in history, says Jarrod. “Making love practical is some of the most radical political work we can do at the moment.”
If your church community would like to explore how you can be part of a movement for peace, including leadership development, community organising, discipleship through peacemaking, advocacy grounded in faith and strengthening relationships across denominations, you can contact Jarrod at JMcKenna@actforpeace.org.au