D. Michael Hostetler

Ehab Assal

Jonathan Bornman

Unexpected Peace follows social anthropologist Jonathan Bornman as he explores three stories: the Amish school shooting in Nickle Mines, Pa.; the murders of Murid (Sufi Muslim) migrants from Senegal in Harlem, New York; and Muslim-Christian conflict in Solo, Indonesia. In each case, communities responded to horrific acts of violence with forgiveness and actions of nonviolence. The camera captures the spirit, context, and energy of these places and people, and Bornman's quest reveals nonviolent and community peace-building practices that offer unexpected alternatives to violence.





Red Rose International Film Festival

ETHOS Film Awards 2024

jonathanbornman@gmail.com
+1-717-826-7700
Jonathan grew up in Indiana working on local farms and in his father’s masonry business. When he graduated from high school his eyes were opened to the world through a one-year cross-cultural service and learning opportunity in Brazil . Jonathan and his wife, Carol, served in Burkina Faso (1991-94) developing water resources. There, Jonathan learned French and gained an understanding of African Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity in Africa by living in a mixed community. After earning a master’s degree in intercultural studies with a focus on Islam, Jonathan served with his family in Senegal from 1999-2009.

His expertise includes nonviolence in Islam, Sufi Islam, missiology, immigration, and Christian-Muslim encounters. Jonathan is a connector who works to build bridges and equip people to participate in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation, peacemaking and seeking the common good. He has a PhD from Middlesex University.

