The other day, a close friend asked for my thoughts on the war in Ukraine.

“Where do you think this is headed?” she asked. “Well,” I said, “It seems like Putin is after more power, more money, and more land. Same old story. My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine, and I pray for a peaceful resolution.”

She seemed unsatisfied with my answer, and honestly, so was I.

If history is any kind of guide for what lies ahead, we know that world peace is a pipe dream. The quest for power and influence is never-ending and has led to multiple civil and world wars. Now, we are witnessing one of the largest land battles in Europe since WWII. Are we destined for a future of ongoing conflict, led by our politicians and generals into battle after battle for world domination? Or perhaps there is another path to blaze?

The decorated war veteran and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill thought that “…future international relations could be based more on Christian ethics, and the more closely we follow the Sermon on the Mount, the more likely we are to succeed in our endeavors.”

Churchill was not religious, and he believed that the only true path to prosperity was to follow principles like caring for the poor and marginalized of society, turning the other cheek, and serving our neighbors. At the time, the original British Bulldog was leading the fight against Hitler’s army across Europe, striving for peace in a weary world. Churchill was arguably one of the most prolific and influential world leaders in history, and if we hope for peace then we must heed his call for a new expression of leadership.

Today, we find ourselves in a situation not dissimilar from those tumultuous days in the mid-twentieth century.

Our TVs are tuned to our favorite news outlets, following along as Russian forces raze ancient cities like Kyiv and Lviv. We can only imagine where this will all lead and how this war will affect our lives in the years ahead.

As a pastor, I lead my congregation in prayers for the citizens of Ukraine, and we can take up collections to support relief efforts, but will our charity be too little too late? Praying for peace and taking up collections are not enough. The bridge to peace is built upon columns of moral leadership. If our leaders spent time catalyzing trust and fostering healthy communication across the political spectrum, instead of bolstering their constituencies and promoting partisan agendas, then our nations would thrive.

I know I’m an idealist, but I’m also a praying man.

And while I pray for peace, I will also pray that a new generation of leaders will rise up and embrace this new style of government inspired by those momentous words spoken two thousand years ago by a poor carpenter: Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God, be reconciled to your brothers and sisters, give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you, and love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

— Rev. Dr. Mark W. Wagner is the senior pastor of Vashon United Methodist Church.