Jesus Freaks (youth movement)

Symbol of Jesus Freaks; Alpha and Omega

The Jesus Freaks are a German evangelical (Christian) youth organization. The movement uses the Alpha and Omega symbol to represent Jesus Christ.

Background

The Jesus Freaks movement was created in September 1991 in Hamburg, Germany by Martin Dreyer. Dreyer, who would be ordained as a free church minister in 1993, based the organization on the Jesus People movement which began in the 1960s in the United States. In 1994 the organization established itself as the Jesus Freaks International, a non-profit group headquartered in Berlin. Over 100 groups or churches are established in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. They also organize the annual Freakstock Christian music festival, which claims to be the biggest alternative Christian Festival in Europe.

Freakstock main stage in 2004

Critics cite the movement as leaning towards conservative fundamentalism,[1] and having the appearance of a closed society with a high level of peer pressure internally.[2] However, point out that they provide ministry to drug abusers, the homeless, and others often marginalized by the mainstream church.[2][3]

Duane Pederson, who became one of the primary voices in the US Jesus Movement of the 1970s, see parallels between that movement and the new German one.[3] Specifically, both movements were created from grass roots. [3]

Dreyer has also authored the Volxbibel, a translation of the Bible in the language of the German youth.

References

  1. ↑ Schrammek, Notker (2001). "Fundamentalistisch" (in German). Roman Catholic Diocese of Erfurt.
  2. 1 2 Von Guido Walter (1996-01-22). "JESUS FREAKS: Gottes geile Truppe". FOCUS (4).
  3. 1 2 3 Pederson, Duane (2009). "The new Jesus Freaks Movement in Europe".
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