FRESNO – “I tell churches that usually my phone rings for one of three reasons, and each of those reasons starts with the letter c: conflict, counseling or crisis,” Peter Celum says.

Peter is the church and pastoral care specialist for California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC), and his outlook on helping churches through difficult situations is inspiring.

“My job can be very challenging, sometimes very stressful,” Peter said. “Yet I see conflict or counseling or crisis as opportunities to see God’s redeeming power at work. It’s exciting to see what God is going to do in those situations.”

Peter spends 30 to 40 percent of his time in the field doing everything from consulting and counseling to training and equipping using the principles of Peacemaker Ministries. He is a first-responder to CSBC pastors and staff members for whatever issues they might face.   

“I think what is unusual about how God has equipped me or wired me is that I’ve just always had a bent towards peacemaking,” Peter said.

Concerned with the level of conflict he sees within Christian marriages, church relationships, and that with which the world deals outside the church, Peter poses an interesting question.

“We see conflict in scripture from Genesis to Revelation. We can trust God to reconcile the greatest difference ever: reconciling sinful man to a perfect, holy, just and righteous God. If God can do that, can He also reconcile the differences in our marriages, in our church relationships?

“It’s not a matter of if conflict comes our way, it’s when it comes our way. Conflict gives us three opportunities: to glorify God, to serve others and to grow in Christlikeness.”

Peter grew up in Linden, California. He attended Grand Canyon College in Phoenix to pursue a bachelor’s degree in religious and social studies with a minor in psychology. Upon graduation, Peter earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. He is currently working toward his doctorate (D.Min.) in marriage and family counseling through Denver Seminary.

Peter also is an adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary where he teaches a pastoral counseling class at the Mill Valley campus.

“I enjoy wearing this hat,” Peter said. “It’s great to be on the front end, teaching and equipping our pastors with the skills consistent with godly peacemaking.”

Peter met his wife, Emily, while he was attending Southwestern. They both worked at the Happy Hill Farm Children’s Home in Granbury, Texas, where he was a house parent and Emily was a teacher and coach. They have three teenage children.

At home, Peter works at practicing what he preaches.

“I try to draw some pretty clear boundaries between my work and family life. When I walk in the door, I want Emily to know that her husband is home for her and I want my children to know that I am home for them. Since I am away a lot, I want to make the best out of the time that I do have with them.”

Peter’s message to California Southern Baptists:
“I was raised in another denomination and accepted Jesus as Savoir in another church. I was discipled into SBC life when I went to Grand Canyon College. I say that because I’m a Southern Baptist by choice, by conviction. I’m proud to be one, but there is so much more that we can do.

“Let me speak of the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole, not just the CSBC. I believe we are a sleeping giant. As we practice the elements of peacemaking and establish cultures of peace, we will close the back doors of our churches while keeping the front doors open wide. We can awaken this giant and join God as He grows His Kingdom in a mighty, marvelous way.”

Peter’s prayer requests:

• Pray that God will provide wisdom and good health for Peter as he deals with the stresses and challenges of his position.
• Pray that God will continue to protect and strengthen Peter and Emily’s marriage.
• Pray that Peter and Emily’s children will respect their family boundaries and remain victorious in their walk with the Lord.
• Pray that CSBC churches will embrace the statewide peacemaking strategy and that each church will continue taking steps towards creating a culture of peace. (Contact Church and Pastoral Care for information about these issues.)
• Pray that God will continue to provide the resources needed to enable CSBC staff to serve the Convention’s churches.

Peter’s praises:

• Praise God for His ministering presence at the May 2008 Ministers’ Wives Retreat at Jenness Park.
• Praise God for churches that have embraced the vision of creating cultures of peace within their congregations.

Did you know?
Three statements are the core tenants of Church and Pastoral Care:

• The greatest resource you bring to ministry is a healthy self.
• The greatest resource you bring to your church is a healthy family.
• The greatest resource we bring to God’s Kingdom is a healthy church.

Peter’s contact information:
Church and Pastoral Care
California Southern Baptist Convention
678 E. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710-7704
559.229.9533. x. 242 or
Leslie Lee, ministry specialist, x. 212
E-mail Peter Celum
E-mail Leslie Lee