Brothers who make international peace their business have visited a Sydney Anglican school, to the benefit of all the students.

Eight members of the Melanesian Brotherhood visited Australia this past month as guests of SHORE and Anglican Board of Mission. Based in the Solomon Islands, the Melanesian Brotherhood is the world's largest Anglican order with over 400 brothers in the community.

The brothers have been heavily involved in the front line working for peace in the Solomon Islands. Ethnic tension between the Malaitans and Guadalcanals that has raged since 1998 resulted in hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of displaced people until law and order was restored in August 2003.

In 2003, while trying to negotiate peace, a Melanesian Brother was taken captive by Harold Keke, leader of the Guadalcanal Liberation Army. He was tortured and brutally murdered. Six of the brothers who went to rescue him were also killed.

"Our community lost seven of its members," says Brotherhood Chaplain, Brother Richard. "He took many others hostage for more than two months. During that time the Brothers talked and prayed with Keke."

The Brothers have just won the Pacific Peace Prize from the United Nations. During the tension, the Brothers camped between the enemy lines, prayed each day and visited the militants to try and calm them down.

"They were treated with great respect by both sides," Brother Richard says. "They were allowed through the barricades to ferry people to safety, to bring supplies in, to look for hostages and to negotiate the release of hostages."

The Brothers have had speaking engagements at schools around Sydney as well as speaking and performing in front of 5000 at the Black Stump music festival in October.

According to ABM spokesperson, Carolyn Kitto, believes the spirituality and commitment of the Melanesian Brothers speaks volumes to the young people in Australia about what it means to be a Christian.

"Over 5000 people gave a standing ovation to these guys at Black Stump. They are an example in the church of what it means to be a Christian, and I think the kids can connect with that in a way that just going to church or reading the Bible can't always do as effectively in our society," she says.

Brother Richard agrees. He says the students at SHORE have been very friendly and respectful to the Brothers while also being receptive of their message.

"The Brotherhood has tried to preach its gospel not by forcing people, but by getting alongside people and sharing their lives with people. They have eaten with students at SHORE school, conducted meetings at houses, and played soccer with them," he says.

The Melanesian Brotherhood was founded in 1925 by Ini Kopuria, a Solomon Islands native, who spread the Gospel to remote islands and villages throughout the Solomon Islands. He respected the traditions and practices of the natives, believing that Solomon Islanders should be converted in a Melanesian way.