Back in July at Follow Jesus 2025 in Greensboro, I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Martin, a Mennonite man from Colorado Springs, CO. He was staffing an exhibit hall table for RAWTools, an organization he founded in 2013. Walking up to the table, I saw a display of incredible tools and pieces of art made out of transformed weapons. As someone who uses garden tools for a living, I was drawn in immediately. Suddenly, I remembered attending a RAWTools event in my hometown years ago where Shane Claiborne gave a talk and Michael was present in a support role. I did not get a chance to talk to Michael at that event, but I am very grateful to be getting to know him now.
RAWTools’ work of turning donated firearms into garden tools and works of art generates searing visual symbols and powerful emotions. But their work goes much farther and deeper than forge and blacksmithing activities. In my observation and in talking to Michael, the work of RAWTools is rooted in a commitment to walk with people who want to experience healing and who want to turn away from violence. The organization seeks to unleash creativity, foster dialogue across divides, and teach new ways of peacemaking and problem-solving.
On their website, RAWTools asks the question, “What if we made a commitment to solve our problems without guns and violence?”
Are you asking this question, too?
I talked by phone with Michael the other day to ask him more questions about his unique ministry and his story. He told me more about the evolution of his unfolding ministry as a movement chaplain and how he was recently ordained by Mountain States Mennonite Conference. We also talked about his roles as a spouse and a father of sons, about living in the West, and about being a Mennonite Christian. What immediately stood out to me was Michael’s willingness to step out of either-or thinking, step out of entrenched divides and stereotypes, and step out of church walls to witness and encounter the Spirit’s transformative power in people’s lives. I was also struck and refreshed by hearing how his ministry brings together people whose backgrounds we might not expect to intersect: gun owners and survivors of gun violence.
“Jesus embodied solidarity with people who are being harmed. I think Jesus is calling people to risk something in this. Fellow Jesus followers—including men—are called to put their bodies between people being harmed. We are being called to put our reputations on the line. People in positions of power need to be vulnerable,” he responded.
I asked Michael about the nature of RAWTools’ work and where he experiences God there.
“A lot of RAWTools’ work happens iteratively. It’s Spirit-led. We work with folks who are survivors of gun violence. They’ve always been the guiding light. In those moments, I feel God’s presence the most,” he shared.
That said, saying yes to this calling is no cakewalk for Michael.
“In getting into this work with RAWTools, I had to work through the traumas of my own life. I’ve had to wrestle with my own sense of belovedness. Once I’d done some of that personal work, I felt more comfortable continuing to invest in where I felt God was moving.”
If you or other men in your circles want to learn more about Michael’s ministry and his faith journey, visit the RAWTools website and consider coming to an upcoming men’s retreat in southwest Michigan. Mennonite Men is fortunate to have Michael as the speaker at its upcoming Men’s Retreat, Becoming Malleable Men, which runs from Friday night, March 6, to Sunday morning, March 8. Online registration can be found at https://friedenswald.org/retreats/.
Photo credits: RAWTools.