David W. Shenk is the founder emeritus member of the Christian-Muslim Relations Team for Eastern Mennonite Missions. His particular focus is on bearing witness to the peace of Christ in a world of religious and ideological pluralism. He is a professor and author or coauthor of twenty books, including A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue, Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church,Teatime in Mogadishu and Christian. Muslim. Friend.
Ahmed Ali Haile was born in Bulo Burte, Somalia, into a loving Muslim family. He became a devout young student of the Qu'ran. Then, at a tumultuous time in his country's history, he discovered Jesus Christ and the transforming power of his love. He later turned down the opportunity for political advancement in his country and left for Kenya and later to the United States. Ahmed pursued degrees related to community development with special focus in peace and conflict transformation. In 1982, desiring to help his homeland, he traveled back to Somalia to work in development and peace among his people. He married Martha J. Wilson in 1987 and they established a home in Somalia. For fifteen years Ahmed taught peace studies at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya. The family returned to the United States in 2009 and settled in Glendale, Wisconsin.
