Robert Brenneman: Peacemaking research in Central America

This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of The Bulletin.

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ROBERT BRENNEMAN, professor of criminal justice and sociology at Goshen College, has dedicated his research career to understanding and addressing the root causes of violence, particularly in northern Central America.

Brenneman’s first book, “Homies and Hermanos: God and Gangs in Central America,” originally published in 2011, explores a fascinating question: Why do former gang members in Central America often turn to Evangelicalism?

Through interviews with 63 individuals from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, Brenneman dove into this complex phenomenon. In the harsh reality of Central American gang life, where membership often leads to death, Brenneman uncovered a common thread: many find solace and redemption in Evangelical churches. Emotional conversions, sparked by sermons or conversations, play a significant role.

Brenneman’s insights have been instrumental in numerous asylum cases, where he provided research on Central American countries and their complex social systems. His dedication to understanding and addressing the Peacemaking Research in Central America root causes of violence led him to explore themes of race, incarceration and restorative justice.

In 2024, Brenneman delivered the C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture at GC and Bluffton (OH) University, titled “The New Peacebuilders: Shifting Violence, Shifting Peace in Northern Central America,” based on his ongoing research.

Brenneman’s journey to academia was marked by an encounter with the realities of post-war societies in Guatemala, where he witnessed firsthand the impact of interpersonal violence on communities. This experience propelled him towards a deeper understanding of the structural factors contributing to the rise of gangs and organized crime.

“I remember being a graduate student and wondering if the research I was putting so much effort into would ever make a difference to anyone,” said Brenneman. “It was very nice to have the opportunity to go back and reconnect with some of my research contacts from the mid-2000s using the C. Henry Smith lecture as a springboard.”

By Gunnar Sadowey