After the tragic attack on the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001, Rev. Luis Daniel “Dann” Pantoja, a Filipino pastor based in Vancouver, Canada, felt compelled to bridge the growing divide between Christians and Muslims worldwide. He believed that God had called him to foster peace between these two major religious communities, both of whom belong to the People of the Book.
He saw Mindanao, Philippines, as an ideal place to begin.
From December 2004 to June 2005, he immersed himself in the Bangsamoro community in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. This was made possible through the support of his wife, Joji Felicitas Bautista-Pantoja, and their friends at Peace Mennonite Church in Richmond, British Columbia. During this time, he was warmly welcomed by the family of Datu Kharis Matalam Baraguir. Through their simple way of life and their daily prayers of submission to Allah, Dann encountered a deep sense of Salaam (peace), reflecting the aspiration of many Bangsamoro people. In Datu Kharis, Dann found a “Person of Peace” who would guide him in his peacebuilding journey in Mindanao.
In May 2005, after six months of peaceful immersion, key traditional and spiritual leaders of the Bangsamoro invited Dann to return and help build peace between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao. Back in Richmond, Dann reported to his Peace Mennonite Church community that the conflict in Mindanao was not primarily about religion; it stemmed from issues of land, historical injustices, and cross-cultural misunderstandings. The Bangsamoro people desired peace with other Filipinos. Together with his wife Joji and their close friends at Peace Mennonite Church, they prayed and envisioned a faith-inspired peacebuilding ministry in Mindanao.
In January 2006, Peace Mennonite Church officially commissioned Dann and Joji Pantoja as peacebuilding missionaries in Mindanao, supporting them through prayer, pastoral care, and financial aid. Waves Community, a group of relatives and friends, also contributed with prayers, finances, and family support. Mennonite Church Canada, a partner in both prayer and finances, was chosen to administer their mission to Mindanao and the Philippines.
On December 4, 2006, the vision of Dann and Joji took on a formal structure. With the administrative help of Kriz Cruzado and the legal guidance of Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) was established as a registered non-profit under Philippine law.
As PBCI became more deeply involved in Mindanao’s complex conflicts—many of which originated from decisions made in Manila—the vision expanded beyond Christian-Muslim reconciliation. The concept of a national Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) initiative emerged.
Today, PAR is at the core of PBCI’s ministry.
