During the winter of 2002-03, many of us Mennonite pacifists were concerned about the probable U.S. invasion of Iraq. It was easy to feel powerless and hard to know how to raise one’s voice.

At the same time, my telephone kept ringing — one telemarketer after another. We didn’t have caller ID, so I usually answered. When it turned out to be a telemarketer, I was annoyed but tried to be respectful.

Then I got an idea. If the telemarketers wanted me to listen to them, shouldn’t they listen to me? And what did I have to say? I was concerned about the probable war. 

I expected the telemarketers would quickly end their calls when I tried to change the subject from their agenda to mine. But I was in for a surprise.

I don’t remember what the first caller wanted to talk about. What I do remember is that I was able to engage him in my subject, and the call lasted 15 to 20 minutes.

Was I willing to risk 15 to 20 minutes with any telemarketer who might call? I decided that I was.

And that is how the annoying interruptions turned into my personal peace witness project.

Though most callers didn’t talk with me for 20 minutes, many were willing to listen and even make a few comments.

Then, on March 20, the U.S. invaded Iraq. My phone conversations hadn’t stopped the war. I don’t know if they made any difference in the lives of the people I talked with. They did give one woman a way to raise her voice for peace. 

A lot has changed since 2003: My husband and I have moved from Northern Indiana to Albuquerque, N.M. We live in a world of cellphones, social media, email, texting and recorded messages. I no longer have a land line.

What hasn’t changed are war, injustice, political turmoil and the need for me to raise my voice.

Over the past year and a half, I became more frustrated as I observed evangelical Christian nationalism’s ­fusion of empire and religion. So, I chose a new plan of action.

In June 2025, I decided to write a letter to Franklin Graham, a prominent U.S. evangelical Christian leader. I said I had seen him on television pleading with people to invite Jesus into their hearts. I quoted from his prayer at President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Then I shared how my parents had introduced me to Jesus — a Jesus who walked with the marginalized, welcomed the strangers, reached out to those whose bodies, minds and spirits needed healing and hope, preached a nonviolent gospel of peace, summoned his disciples to love everyone (including enemies) and challenged the principalities and powers that are obsessed with selfishness and greed.

I asked if he supported President Trump. I said my heart was heavy because Trump’s path appeared entirely different from Jesus’ path. I asked if he could truly support the president’s leadership and if God might be calling for a change of course. I offered multiple ways to contact me, making it clear that I welcomed dialogue.

One day I got a reply: “Dear Leona: Thank you for your heart to reach others with the Gospel. . . . Would you consider helping reach spiritually lost and hurting souls? The enclosed material explains how you can help point people to Jesus Christ.”

I was now on the mailing list of the Billy Graham Association. Franklin Graham is its president and CEO.

In September 2025, I sent another copy of my original letter, along with quotes from scripture (Micah 6:8 and Leviticus 19:33-34), quotes from Menno Simons and Hans Denck and various Mennonite memorabilia, including the brochure “Making Peace with Enemies” by Richard A. Kauffman.

I kept getting donation requests. ­Using the return envelopes, I sent more messages and scriptures.

In May, another mailing arrived. Assuming it was a fundraising letter, I didn’t open it for a while. When I did, I found a letter written by someone on behalf of Franklin Graham: “We appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns regarding Mr. Graham and President Trump.”

The letter was kindly written, with an effort to share Graham’s views. There were major points that didn’t coincide with my beliefs, but I was happy to get a personal response and to know that someone read my mail. Now I’m writing a letter to further the dialogue. It’s my personal peace project, for whatever it may be worth.

Leona Goering Gingerich is a retired music teacher and pianist. She lives with her husband, Ken, in Albuquerque, N.M., and is a member of Albuquerque Mennonite Church.