Ambassador Program

The Peacemaker Project

A formation journey for Evangelical leaders called to faithful witness in polarized times

The Matthew 5:9 Fellowship Ambassador Program, known as The Peacemaker Project, is a selective formation experience for Evangelical pastors and ministry leaders who sense a call to live and lead faithfully in a deeply polarized moment.

The program is rooted in Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:3–5, where He calls His disciples to examine their own hearts before attempting to correct others. Before addressing the speck in our neighbor’s eye, we must attend to the log in our own.

In that spirit, the Ambassador Program begins not with strategies or techniques, but with formation. We help leaders recognize how toxic polarization shapes their instincts, fears, and reflexes, and then equip them to respond with wisdom, humility, and courage within their own communities.

Peacemaking, as Jesus teaches it, is both inward and outward. It is a faithful work of transformation within us and a lived witness through us for the sake of others.

The Matthew 5:9 Fellowship believes that faithful peacemaking is not sustained by technique alone. It must be rooted in spiritual formation, practiced in community, and embodied over time.

The Ambassador Program exists to cultivate leaders who are willing to do the interior work of self-examination and then lead others with integrity.

Through the Ambassador Program, participants:

• Grow in self-awareness and spiritual resilience amid polarization.

• Develop a biblically grounded understanding of peacemaking.

• Learn to recognize and resist the dynamics of toxic polarization.

• Practice leading conversations and communities toward healing.

• Join a trusted fellowship of peers committed to faithful presence.

This is not a general training or a one-time event. It is an invitation into a shared journey of formation and practice.

The Ambassador Program is built around a focused rhythm of in-person retreats, virtual gatherings, and brief preparatory work designed to support deep formation without overwhelming already full ministry lives.

In-Person Retreats

The program includes two in-person retreats, each hosted in a different context:

Retreat One: The Heart of a Peacemaker
Nashville, Tennessee

This retreat focuses on interior formation and identity, grounding peacemaking in Christlike character, spiritual rhythms, and God’s reconciling call.

Retreat Two: The Work of a Peacemaker
New York City, New York

This retreat integrates heart and practice, exploring how peacemaking takes shape within congregations, institutions, and public witness.

Each retreat begins with a Monday evening dinner, includes a full day of guided, interactive sessions on Tuesday, and concludes by midday on Wednesday to allow for travel home.

Between Retreats

Between the two retreats, Ambassadors participate in virtual gatherings that provide space for:

• Relational check-ins
• Continued learning
• Skill practice
• Mutual encouragement in ministry

Participants are also expected to complete brief preparatory assignments before and between gatherings to support reflection and application.

Commitment
Participants are expected to attend both retreats, participate in three virtual gatherings, and complete brief preparatory assignments. We recognize the demands placed on ministry leaders and ask for this commitment to ensure a meaningful and fruitful experience for all involved.

Cost
Matthew 5:9 Fellowship covers lodging and most meals during the retreats. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, including flights, parking, and local transportation. Limited travel assistance may be available upon request.

The Ambassador Program reflects the same highly interactive, relational learning environment that shapes our Annual Gatherings and workshops. Sessions emphasize conversation, reflection, practice, and trust-building rather than lectures or debates.

This program is a space marked by humility, honesty, and a shared commitment to following Christ faithfully.

Participation in the Ambassador Program is by invitation. We extend this invitation to a small number of Evangelical leaders who are familiar with our work and demonstrate the character, curiosity, and capacity to engage deeply.

The 2026 Class is full, but we would love to tell you more about how to participate in future classes. Contact us at [email protected] for any questions.