This October, Stephen Donahoe and I had the privilege of representing the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) at the Peace Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Peace Forum attendees included environmental activist Bill McKibben and hundreds of passionate advocates from across the world. The gathering provided a meaningful opportunity to connect faith, peacebuilding, and environmental stewardship. It also created space to discuss how federal policy can help build a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world.
I offered a presentation centered around the Farm Bill and international climate funding. Throughout my presentation, I emphasized a central message: Investing in environmental resilience is investing in peace. Whether through international funding or domestic agricultural policy, the decisions Congress makes today have profound implications for communities facing economic insecurity, environmental degradation, and growing climate-related challenges.
International Climate Funding: Investing in Prevention
One of my primary focuses was international climate funding and FCNL’s efforts to protect critical funding priorities in fiscal year 2027. International climate funding helps vulnerable communities access affordable electricity, protect natural resources, and prepare for increasingly severe climate-related disasters.
The U.S. government has supported successful initiatives in Vietnam, Madagascar, and the Pacific Islands, demonstrating how relatively modest investments can strengthen local economies, improve disaster preparedness, and protect livelihoods.
For an organization committed to preventing war and promoting peace, ensuring environmental and climate security will help to address underlying pressures before they escalate into humanitarian emergencies or conflict.
The Farm Bill: Protecting Communities and Creation
The conversation also turned to the 2026 Farm Bill, and its implications for American farmers, rural communities, and families experiencing hunger.
I discussed the importance of preserving conservation programs that help farmers protect soil, water, and wildlife habitats, alongside the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which supports renewable energy and energy efficiency investments in rural communities.
Environmental stewardship and economic justice go hand in hand, connecting the protection of our land with families’ access to affordable food.
With more than five million people losing their food assistance since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the challenges surrounding congressional negotiations were also top of mind.
Environmental stewardship and economic justice go hand in hand, connecting the protection of our land with families’ access to affordable food. Together, these priorities advance a broader vision of peace rooted in sustainability, food security, economic opportunity, and human dignity.
Strengthening Faith-Based Advocacy in Missouri
While in town, I also co-hosted a Missouri Faith Leader event alongside FCNL’s regional advocacy team. This brought together faith leaders and community advocates to explore how faith-based advocacy can promote policies that support the well-being of communities across Missouri.
Faith leaders have a notable role in connecting national policy debates to the everyday experiences of their congregations and neighbors. Their voices bring moral clarity to conversations about public investment, community resilience, and a collective responsibility to care for one another.
I was especially grateful for our regional advocacy team, whose dedication to building relationships and empowering local advocates strengthens FCNL’s impact across Missouri. Events like these remind us that meaningful advocacy extends beyond Washington, D.C., growing through community connections and shared values.
Carrying the Conversation Forward
My time in Kansas City reaffirmed FCNL’s vision of peace rooted in thriving communities, environmental stewardship, and human dignity. I left encouraged by faith leaders committed to turning shared values into action. As Congress considers international climate funding and the Farm Bill, their voices remain essential to advancing policies that protect vulnerable communities, care for creation, and promote lasting peace.
