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The Life of Peace Apostle Harcourt Klinefelter
Globalizing the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Foreword by Andrew J. Young
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
As a young man, Harcourt "Harky" Klinefelter became involved in the US's civil rights movement of the 1960s. He was at the right place at the right time--the Selma March of 1965--to become the soundman for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This meant that Harky was there to record King's sermons and historic speeches that Harky then prepared for re-broadcasting. After King's assassination in 1968, Harky worked as minister to the street people and in 1972 he moved to Europe, where he is working to spread King's message about meeting discrimination, poverty, and violence with nonviolent action, and to be a negotiator and trainer for peace in war-torn countries. Along with his memories of working closely with King are some of Harky's philosophical and theological insights, an account of his teaching and training career, his ministry, his peace activities, and a life lived out from the faith that overcomes.
Harcourt Klinefelter, accomplished Christian peacemaker, is a civil and human rights activist, minister, educator/trainer, lecturer, and consultant in the US and Europe. For more than fifty years he has pursued the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with whom he worked closely.
With a master’s degree from Yale University, he is ordained in the United Church of Christ and Mennonite Church and he facilitates outstanding courses on conflict resolution for church representatives, hippies, personnel, and residents in psychiatric and refugee institutions. Rev. Klinefelter is married and has three children and three grandchildren.
“This inspiring book tells the remarkable story of Rev. Harky Klinefelter, one of the world's leading nonviolent educators, who also served as a courageous and dedicated staff member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, working closely with my father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Life of Peace Apostle Harcourt Klinefelter: Globalizing the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provides an important contribution to the history of the movement, an invaluable resource for learning about the civil rights movement from an insider perspective and for exploring creative ways to build diverse nonviolent movements for social and economic justice in the future.”
—Martin Luther King III
“Rev. Harcourt Klinefelter is a legend. He's one of the most fascinating people I've ever met. I could have listened to his stories for hours . . . and now, thanks to this book, we actually can. It's true that our best sermon is our life. And the life of Harky Klinefelter is among the best sermons I've ever heard.”
—Shane Claiborne, author and activist
“Nonviolence liberates, if you work with others! The convincing proof of this reality is found in real life of real communities in real conflicts. And it is best witnessed in biographies of individuals, whose faith provided the calling, the courage, and the spiritual resources to walk such a way of life. Rev. Harcourt Klinefelter is a most telling and encouraging example.”
—Fernando Enns, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
“Harcourt Klinefelter has spent a lifetime dedicated to teaching and following in daily life Christ's call to nonviolence, justice, and reconciliation. His years of serving with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. give him a unique perspective on one of the most significant nonviolent struggles for social justice witnessed in human history. Since that time, he has been faithfully implementing the teachings of Dr. King—as grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ—in his role as a minister and strong advocate for nonviolence in confronting injustice and the precipitous march to war.”
—Richard Blackburn, Executive Director, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Illinois
“Harcourt Klinefelter's life and witness give evidence that he is a contemporary peace apostle in like manner as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
—Elizabeth A. Raid, pastor, writer, pilgrim for peace
“This biography of Klinefelter gives the reader three valuable experiences: insight into the culture of the United States in the fascinating 60s and 70s, a surprising picture of the varied work of Harky Klinefelter, and a source of inspiration for everyone who seeks courage to stand up in the world today and work for justice and peace. Whoever reads this book experiences something of what Jesus said: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”
—Ciska Stark, Protestant Theological University in Amsterdam and Groningen
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