Deaconess Norma Dollaga is a United Methodist deaconess in the Philippines, who for decades has struggled heroically to forge the justice that makes for peace in her conflict-ridden homeland. When a campaign against the use of illegal drugs became a government-sanctioned war against the poor who used drugs, Dollaga became an outspoken advocate for the right of the poor not to be killed. She and other courageous faith leaders refused to be intimidated by then President Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials who villainized church leaders and others who spoke up for the poor. She organized prayer vigils and memorial services for the dead, people often killed by assassins on motorcycles or unidentified masked men who showed up at night in urban slums with a list of those to be killed.As can be seen in her founding of Rise Up, Dollaga has developed a knack for empowering others to join the struggle for justice and peace. She’s far from a lone leader, instead working in the trenches to help others move forward. A deaconess since her graduation from Harris Memorial College in 1985, since 2000 she has been appointed by the Bishop of the Philippines Central Conference to the Ecumenical Center for Development, also known as Kapatirang Simbahan Para sa Bayan (the Church of the People). As the organization’s General Secretary, she has helped shepherd ecumenical groups and networks focusing on human rights and peace. In addition to Rise Up, these include Dambana, which provides humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters and the climate crisis, and One Voice, an alliance of Catholic and Protestant church leaders advocating for human rights and good governance.United Methodist deaconesses in the Philippines are an amazing group of women. Yet the contributions they make to ministries both within and outside the church are often unrecognized by male church leaders. Frustrated with low pay and outright discrimination, it’s not surprising that many have abandoned their official deaconess status for better pay or more effective work unrelated to the church. Deaconesses have left the church to become pastors, social workers, government officials and guerrilla insurgents. Despite the myriad challenges, Dollaga has stayed true to her calling and appointment as a deaconess, and has become an inspiring model for younger deaconesses interested in deepening their Wesleyan witness to personal and social holiness within the Philippines. She frequently teaches classes and leads seminars as a member of the faculty at Harris Memorial College, the regional training ground for deaconess and women leaders in the United Methodist Church and other denominations.While leading street demonstrations and testifying at legislative hearings is part of her public persona, her witness is deep and comprehensive. Just as her work with Rise Up combined public protagonism with behind the scenes pastoral support for the victims of violence, so her work in the campaign to save Mary Jane Velasco. A Filipina migrant worker imprisoned in Indonesia, and her work demanding justice after the 2014 murder of Jennifer Laude, a trans woman, was accompanied by pastoral and other support for the women’s families. While leading demonstrations for indigenous rights in the streets, she has also raised funds to build schools of displaced indigenous children. While publicly demanding the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front, she has offered support for the families of people killed in the war’s all too frequent massacres. Such ministry combines concrete solidarity with a pastoral accompaniment that offers the gift of hope to those left hurting and grieving.Former Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco characterized Dollaga’s ministry with the marginalized as “heroic work for the Lord.” Dollaga has for decades displayed the courage, creativity, and consistency that mark her as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, proclaiming abundant life to all, especially those victims of injustice in her homeland. Because she has embodied both compassion and resilience as she has witnessed for true peace in the Philippines, it is an honor to nominate her for the World Methodist Peace Award.