We've had lots of people stay with us with who have been in and out (and back in) jail. The Peace Tree community that I'm a part of is heavily influenced by the Catholic Worker tradition. This means welcoming Christ in many a wonderfully colourful character. Recently we were glad to have a guest that didn't leave with our VCR, Father John Dear. John Dear broke the record of people staying with us, he's been arrested 75 times. Yet unlike most our guest for John it's been a faithfulness to Jesus that has landed him in jail.
John Dear's gentleness has rocked Australia inspiring people across the nation, with effects that we are sure to see the fruits of for years to come. Some of these first fruits of John's preaching of the gospel of peace have included 5 people who were involved in their first arrestable action in Brisbane.
For someone who mixes it with some of the biggest humanitarian names (Thich Nhat Hanh, Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, Mairead Corrigan etc.) John Dear is a very funny (some might say goofy), humble, approachable and courageous man of prayer and action whose faithfulness to God's nonviolence revealed in Jesus has seen him arrested over 75 times in nonviolent direct actions.
Here is a link to the first chapter of John's book 'Jesus the Rebel'. I loved our time with John. He's the real deal. Doesn't try and be anything he's not and by doing so lets you relax and be who you are. Yet all the time challenging you to be yourself as you give everything to following the God revealed in Jesus to be nonviolent love.
John's website is one to add to your favorites:
and his name and ministry one to add to your prayers.
