Join the team
NOTE: We are currently building this site and have not “launched” yet to the public. Feel free to browse and subscribe while the site is under construction and be sure to check back in early December when we are ready to launch.
How to get involved and join us on the mission.
1) Spread the word
The first way to support the cause is by answering this question:
Who is one person you know that would want to learn about Salam 25 or take the Berean challenge?
There are lots of people out there who want to see a resolution to this conflict. If you are a Christian, many of your friends are interested in the topic of Israel, and they don’t know what they don’t know. How shall they hear…?1
Contrary to what you might think, when a Christian in America learns about the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict for the first time, they are usually grateful for the insight. That has been our experience.
2) Sign-up or give
The second way to support the cause is to become a paid subscriber here on Substack or contribute monthly to our nonprofit account. Here’s why…
First— To better further our mission, we need to hire someone to direct Salam 25 full-time for the next two years. In two years, we hope to begin winding-down our mission. By that time, we will likely have reached the "tipping point" in educating America on this topic and our skills may no longer be needed. Right now, most of the writing and creative work is being done by Matt outside his day job and family life. If we can hire Matt full-time, there is much more that can be accomplished. To make this possible, we need 700 paid subscribers on this platform (Substack) or the equivalent in recurring donations to our nonprofit account (info below).
Second— The next phase of our strategy (Spring 2025 and beyond) will involve creative marketing to our target audience, which will have additional costs.
Both subscribers and donors receive periodic updates on the progress taking place behind the scenes and stories from the field. Additionally, our Substack subscribers have access to paid content like video calls and trainings (see #3 below).
NOTE: Paid subscriptions on Substack are not tax deductible. Only donations made to the nonprofit account are tax deductible.
[donation link coming soon]
—Are we a tax-exempt nonprofit?
Not yet, but we've begun the process. We’ll get back to you soon once our tax-exempt status has been established with the IRS. Until then, you can subscribe here on Substack.
—How will funds be used?
All funds raised through this platform will go to support the mission of Salam 25. Right now, that means…
hiring a full-time director
creative advertising and "guerilla" marketing.
For transparency, we will post an income-expense report (annually at minimum) to our donors and paid subscribers. When Salam's mission is complete, any remaining funds in the account will be given to a related charity— an organization providing leadership in the reconciliation effort or assistance to those affected by the conflict.
—What is the goal?
We are educating America about the Israel-Palestine conflict by bringing awareness to the historical myths and racial prejudices that affect the way we interpret this conflict.
We focus our efforts on Christians, but not exclusively. Our core team is composed of individuals who have a long history of leadership in grassroots Christian movements, so we are not new to this audience or to the work of educating, influencing, and inspiring.
At some point, through our efforts and the efforts of many others, there will be a "tipping point" in America's beliefs and opinions about the Israel-Palestine conflict:
a noticeable shift in public opinion among Christians toward support for peace strategies rather than war strategies,2
a shift in media coverage from major news sources and Christian news sources away from the propaganda narrative and toward the historical narrative,3
Christian public figures and institutions joining the cause for peace or changing their policy statements about the conflict.4
Conveniently, there are a few regular surveys done nationwide by other organizations that measure attitudes and perceptions about the Middle East. When the tipping point is reached, it should become evident fairly quickly. Shortly thereafter, the political lobbies that feed the conflict will begin to lose their influence, and America's leaders will see that their constituents are increasingly wanting a just and peaceful resolution.
This is not an "aspirational" goal— something that we yearn for but may never achieve. This will happen if we do a good job on our end. It is only a matter of time.
Some things that are NOT goals of ours—
We are NOT pushing for a specific political structure or outcome (i.e. the two-state plan). Education is our domain, not government and politics. We do NOT wish to make people "anti-Israel" or "pro-Palestine" (see our About page). On the contrary, we endeavor to have a positive influence on the narrative about Israel-Palestine as it changes in the mind of the public and help people become a little more human as we work toward fulfilling our mission.
"In your struggle for justice, let your oppressor know that you are not attempting to defeat or humiliate him, or even to pay him back for injustices that he has heaped upon you. Let him know that you are merely seeking justice for him as well as yourself." —Martin Luther King, Jr.
—How do we measure progress?
Currently, our progress is measured by…
the number of members or paid subscribers on this platform (Substack) and how active they are in the online community;
the number of members who have participated in one of our training calls or workshops;
the number of leaders/teams of Christian churches and communities that we have educated or trained and who have made some tangible commitment to the cause of peace in Palestine;
how well our members and partners are able to communicate the myths and realities of the Israel-Palestine conflict;
the number of free subscribers to our Substack page and how many views our articles get, especially in the United States.
3) Take action
As mentioned above, our strategy includes more than producing content and online marketing. Our paid subscriber community can participate in online calls and video trainings to encourage them in spreading the word effectively (and tactfully). Additionally, coaches and educators within our network are looking for opportunities to meet with community leaders to educate them on this topic and suggest ways in which discussions about Israel-Palestine have been used by other Christian leaders to pique curiosity, spark conversations about the core values of a church or team, improve engagement, and teach important Biblical principles.
This part of our strategy depends on our ability to network with Christian leaders and influencers. If you can make an introduction, do not hesitate to reach out.
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him […] How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? […]” —Epistle to the Romans, Ch. 10 (NASB)
For example, “American Evangelicals' Unique Support for Israel”, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 30 Sept 2024.
For example, see The Occupation of the American Mind (video). Very interesting, well made, and there are shortened versions (20 min. or 45 min.) in addition to the full-length version (80 min.).
For example:
A letter signed by several Christian organizations in May 2024
A resolution passed by the United Methodist Church in April 2024
A resolution passed by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in July 2024