I am Emil Jonathan Soriano, living in San Pedro, Laguna, with my wife and our three sons, aged 17, 13, and 9. I currently serve as the Theology Network and Engagement (TNE) Manager for Tearfund and as the focal lead for Reconciled and Peaceful Societies (RPS) in the Asian region. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the East and a Master of Divinity degree in Cross-Cultural Missions from the Asian Theological Seminary. Additionally, I am the Chairman of the Board for PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), a position I assumed in 2024 after several years as a board member. I have known Rev. Dann “Lakan” Pantoja and his wife, Joji, for over a decade. Our shared advocacy for the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination brought us together, and we have since collaborated in various forums and peacebuilding initiatives.
My family L-R: Emilio Joaquin 17, Abigail Acorda Soriano, Lucio Nicolas 9, Emil Jonathan Soriano, and Justino Gabriel 13
I pastor a small house church community in San Pedro, Laguna, with about 20 members comprising several neighborhood families. In 2012, we supported Mennonite missionaries Darnell and Christina Barkman in launching a church-planting effort in Taguig City. I was part of the core team that assisted them, eventually forming a network of sister communities, including Theo sa Kanto in Tondo, Balay Tuklasan Likhaan in Taguig, Wednesday Millennials in Ortigas, and our own Church at No. 71 in San Pedro.
My journey into peacebuilding began unexpectedly in the mid-1990s during my seminary studies. While exploring church history, I encountered the Anabaptist movement—a radical branch of the Protestant Reformation that emphasized adult baptism, pacifism, separation of church and state, radical discipleship, and community. Their unwavering commitment to non-violence, even amid persecution, deeply intrigued me.
At the time, I believed in redemptive violence as a valid Christian response to threats. Growing up in a Catholic school, I had been taught St. Thomas Aquinas’s just war theory, which I accepted as the standard Christian stance on conflict. However, learning about the Anabaptists, who were persecuted by both Catholics and Protestants, led me to question this perspective. Why were these people, who seemed to embody Jesus’ teachings, labeled as radicals and subversives?
This curiosity prompted me to study other figures who challenged societal norms through non-violence. I explored the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, and Gandhi. Their commitment to justice through peaceful means deeply resonated with me.
Addressing the participants during the 2024 General Assembly of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. | 15 November 2024 | Malipayon Peace Hub, Foothills of Mt. Apo, Mindanao
After seminary, I focused on evangelism, youth discipleship, and cross-cultural missions, but my interest in non-violence persisted. Encountering liberation theology and figures like Bishop Oscar Romero and Dietrich Bonhoeffer deepened my understanding of the ethical dilemmas surrounding violence and the role of the church in addressing systemic injustices.
Immersing myself in urban poor communities across the Philippines further opened my eyes. I witnessed the dehumanizing effects of poverty and systemic oppression, as well as the violence that erupts when basic rights are denied. These experiences spurred me to advocate for social justice, assist with microfinance initiatives, and support livelihood programs. However, they also raised complex questions about activism and the efficacy of non-violence in confronting societal ills.
Preparing for a conflict transformation mission to Central Mindanao with staff and volunteers of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. | 16 November 2024 | Malipayon Peace Hub, Foothills of Mt. Apo, Mindanao
In 2010, I took a course on the biblical foundations of peace, taught by Mennonite scholar Dr. Jack Suderman. This was my first direct encounter with an Anabaptist theologian. The course challenged me to reexamine the teachings and ethics of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. I came to see Jesus as revealing a God of love, compassion, and reconciliation, rather than wrath and violence. This transformed my understanding of Christian discipleship and peacebuilding.
Inspired by these insights, I engaged in peacebuilding advocacy. I joined the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels. I also participated in interfaith dialogues through the All Out Peace Network, advocating for peaceful solutions to the conflicts in Mindanao. These efforts strengthened my conviction in non-violence and the importance of building bridges across divides.
My peacebuilding work has not always been embraced by the Evangelical community, where the focus often remains on evangelism and church planting. However, I believe the Gospel is about more than individual salvation—it calls for the restoration of shalom, the wholeness and harmony of all creation. This understanding underpins my commitment to peacebuilding and social justice.
We were invited to attend a session of the Bangsamoro Parliament at the government center of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with the staff and volunteers of PeaceBuilders Community. We were also welcomed at Camp Darapanan, the main headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to have a dialogue with the camp commander and his staff. | 16-18 November 2024 | Cotabato City, Mindanao
I recognize that peacebuilding is a long, challenging journey requiring patience, persistence, and a steadfast commitment to non-violence. Yet, even small acts of peacemaking can create ripple effects, contributing to a more just and equitable world.
I am grateful to the Global Anabaptist Peace Network (GAPN) for enriching my theology through webinars and conferences, including the 2019 gathering in the Netherlands. Attending the Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, PA, in 2015 was another inspiring milestone, allowing me to connect with brilliant individuals from the Anabaptist community.
I am thankful for the opportunities to grow and learn on this journey. The countless individuals who dedicate their lives to justice and peace inspire me. Together, I believe we can build a future where violence is no longer the answer and where love, compassion, and justice prevail.
Having fellowship with my fellow peacebuilding advocates and workers among staff and leaders of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and Mennonite Church Canada has always been a blessing and fun. | 19-20 November 2024 | Mindanao, Philippines
1 comments
Beautiful testimony brother!