Moderator Visit

Samuel Kefas Sarpiya is the lead pastor and church planter of Rockford Community Church (IL/WI District) and the co-founder Center for Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation, Rockford Illinois. As a church planter and community organizer, Samuel is passionate about the intersection between peacemaking and the gospels as taught by Jesus Christ. He also has training in the principles of Kingian nonviolence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s which inspires Samuel’s continued conviction for practical peacemaking.

Drawing from Jesus’ teaching on nonviolence and peace; as a pastor, Samuel is making his pastoral presence by impacting the Rockford school systems, by training the local Rockford police department’s command staff and management in nonviolent principles. With several community partners, Samuel has developed The Mobile Tech Lab and the Mobile Art Lab in Rockford IL was also first established as educational community hub with a modern twist for at-risk youths in Rockford IL to provide mentorship, teach nonviolence and productive skill sets for the future.

For his local and international work, Samuel received the 2016 Jane Addams Peace award from the Rockford Housing Authority in 2016. Samuel is a graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria with a Diploma in Social Work and holds a Master's of Divinity in Conflict Transformation from Bethany Theological Seminary. Samuel is currently a Doctoral candidate in Semiotics and Future Studies at George Fox University, in Portland Oregon. Samuel is married to Gretchen Sarpiya and they are blessed with three beautiful girls, Anna 14, Ella Joy 12, and Deborah 10. Their multicultural family has roots in Nigeria and South Africa, has lived in Hawaii.

When: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Where: Dixon Church of the Brethren, 215 N. Court St, Dixon, IL
Time: 4:00pm

Open to everyone! Refreshments provided! No cost!
Please RSVP by April 27, 2018, by calling or sending email:
Dist. Office ph.: 309-649-6008 Dist. Office email: andreag.iwdcob@gmail.com