The Mustard Seed Project
Building bridges between American Muslims and Christians, one act of compassion at a time.
Two traditions, one image of growth
“Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky, ˹always˺ yielding its fruit in every season by the Will of its Lord. This is how Allah sets forth parables for the people, so perhaps they will be mindful.”Surah Ibrahim 14:24
In the Biblical story in Matthew’s Gospel, the Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a mustard seed which,
“though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”Matthew 13:32
Every act of compassion is a seed.
Countering polarization, one act of compassion at a time
Inspired by the moral imperative to do the necessary work to counter the rising divisiveness and polarization in the country, the Mustard Seed Project aims at establishing bridges between American Muslims and Christians.
This project is inspired by shared Quranic and Biblical stories and aims at fighting the increased polarization in the country, one act of compassion at a time. The mustard seed thus becomes the symbol of the crucial work that each act of compassion performs in generating goodness in the world.
Our peace-building workshops challenge the inaccurate tropes that tend to reinforce a monolithic, intolerant, and harmful representation of Muslims and Christians. In today’s age of extreme polarization, efforts like these are more crucial than ever.
Let us unite around what brings us together rather than what divides us. The guiding principle of the Mustard Seed Project
Food. Fellowship. Fun.
Understanding grows best around a shared table. Every Mustard Seed gathering is built on three simple ingredients.
Food
Breaking bread together turns strangers into neighbors. Shared meals open every gathering and set a tone of hospitality both traditions hold sacred.
Fellowship
Honest, facilitated conversation between congregants, pastors, and imams, where questions are welcome and stories of faith are heard.
Fun
Connection doesn't have to be solemn. Lighthearted activities help participants relax, laugh together, and leave as friends.
Three ways we plant the seed
Every gathering is designed for genuine encounter, not debate, so participants leave with new relationships, not just new information.
Peace-Building Workshops
Facilitated sessions hosted at churches and mosques that challenge harmful tropes and let Muslims and Christians share their stories of faith.
The Healer Screenings
Community screenings of MPAC's short documentary The Healer, followed by guided discussion: a shared story that opens the door to deeper conversation.
Congregational Visits
Mosque and church visits that let participants experience each other's houses of worship firsthand, meet community leaders, and see faith lived out up close.
From Orange County to Ohio
The Mustard Seed Project has brought Muslims and Christians together in seven states, in churches, mosques, and film festivals alike. Your community could be next.
Request a Mustard Seed workshop
Churches, mosques, campuses, and community groups can invite MPAC to bring the Mustard Seed Project to their city.
- A peace-building workshop for your congregation or group
- A screening of The Healer with guided discussion
- A paired church or mosque visit with local faith leaders
- Planning support from MPAC staff from first call to follow-up
Every gift plants another seed of understanding.
Your support brings Muslims and Christians together in new cities, funds workshops and film screenings, and builds the relationships that push back against division in America.