MAY 17 2007 - AUSSIE WALKS THE GLOBE TO UNIFY CHRISTIANS |
MEDIA RELASE
May 17, 2007
Aussie walks across globe to unify Christians
National Week of Christian Unity May 20 - 27
As Australia begins National Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from this Sunday May 20, Samuel Clear, a 28 year old from Tasmania, is taking the mission seriously - independently walking an 18 month pilgrimage across the planet inviting people to join him in praying for the unity of all Christians. Currently five months into his journey and in South America, hundreds have already joined Sam in praying, although he has also faced much opposition; having been robbed at knife point by a gang of 4 thieves, stalked by a puma, racially abused and threatened by a man with a shot gun.
Undeterred by such resistance, the trials have only made Sam more convinced of the necessity of this self initiated quest. Naming the pilgrimage, Walk4One, Sam sold everything he owned to personally fund the journey, and left Australia on December 14, 2006. This began his 29,000km, 564 day, worldwide journey, which will include 18,000kms traveled on foot. From Cape Branco the eastern most point of Brazil, Sam is travelling through South America, Central America and North America, across Russia, and down through Europe to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The unique quest will culminate in Sydney in July 2008 for the start of World Youth Day.
Specifically Sam is inviting every Christian to join him by setting their watch or mobile/cell alarm for 4.01pm as a reminder to stop for a moment and surrender ourselves to Christ’s vision of Christian unity coming to be - the vision that Jesus prayed for in John 17:23. With Christians praying at 4.01pm across the different time zones Sam hopes to create a powerful 24 hour a day worldwide prayer session in the name of Christian unity.
“People don’t necessarily need to pray for long, even just 30 seconds in the midst of your day is enough - imagine the power of thousands of Christians, joining together each day, united in our focus on Christ and our desire for unity, in that one moment!”
Overwhelmed by the division amongst Christians around the world and convicted of the great sadness this brings our Lord, Sam felt moved to leave his job, home and family, sell everything and begin the 564 day mission.
“I had read several autobiographies in which Christians spoke of being ostracized and worse, by family and friends when their spiritual search led them to convert from one Christian denomination to another. This left me struck by the division amongst Christians around the world. Despite all believing in Christ; various conflicting theologies, practices, experiences, misunderstandings and belief systems continue to cause judgment, conflict and division between Christians,” said Sam.
“With such division it is impossible to say that the body of Christ is united. It is broken. I don’t claim to know what true unity looks like but I was, in that moment, so convicted of the broken body of Christ and the sadness this brings our Lord. I felt the need to pray and motivate others to join me in praying, so together we can surrender our own agendas and ask for God’s vision of unity to come to be”, says Sam who also refers to the call to oneness in Ephesians 4:1-6.
Sam’s extraordinary commitment to this quest is clear, after more than 130 days on the road he continues, despite facing many difficult experiences. On Sunday May 13, in Costa Rica, he was robbed by a pack of thieves as he walked with a South American World Youth Day group. In Venezuela, he was stalked by a puma in the middle of the night, held up at gun point by a farmer who mistook him for a robber and endured racially motivated physical and verbal abuse.
On some days he has been forced to walk up to 60km a day in 40 degree temperatures. He has slept on roadsides and in rat infested rooms. However, he has also experienced the great hospitality of many Christian Churches along the way, which have joined him in prayer and invited him to speak of his journey and his desire for unity.
Christians are encouraged to visit the Walk4One website at www.ymt.com.au/walk4one to add their name to a growing list of Christians praying at 4.01pm, read about Sam’s adventures on his weekly blog and access Sam’s itinerary, so you know when he will be walking near you.
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To arrange an interview, contact Samuel Clear on walk4one@yahoo.com.au
For further information on Walk4One, access to Sam’s itinerary and weekly blog, visit www.ymt.com.au/walk4one or call Kristen Toohey on +61 417 043 032
Background on Samuel Clear
Prior to Walk4One, Samuel Clear was a Manager with Youth Mission Team Australia (YMT), a Catholic youth ministry, focused on bringing young people into personal relationship with Christ.
One of 5 children, Sam was born in February 1979 and grew up on isolated Flinders Island before his family moved to a 1500 acre property in central north Tasmania. He attended St Patrick’s College in Launceston, where he was School Captain in 1996. He furthered his studies at the University of Tasmania, graduating in 2001 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His upbringing on Flinders Island and then in rural Tasmania instilled in him a great sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors, particularly sport. He played AFL reserves as a 17 year old and represented Tasmania in football and basketball. He was also heavily involved in both cricket and athletics. Standing at 196cms (6 ft, 5 in) and weighing 95kg – he’s difficult to miss!
MAY 18 2007 - WORLD'S LONGEST PILGRIMAGE TO WORLD YOUTH DAY |
MEDIA RELASE
May 18, 2007
World’s longest pilgrimage to World Youth Day
In the name of Christian Unity, Samuel Clear, a 28 year old Catholic from Tasmania, is currently walking the longest known global pilgrimage to any World Youth Day in history.
Known as Walk4One, Sam’s journey will encompass 29,000 km over 18 months, of which 18,000 km will be traveled on foot. Sam is encouraging every Christian to join him in praying for Christian unity at 4.01pm daily, as he travels toward World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008.
With the National Week of Prayer for Christian Unity beginning in Australia from this Sunday, May 20, Sam is currently in South America in the fifth month of his journey, attracting the attention of Costa Rican radio, TV and newspapers. Despite a growing band of Christians joining him in prayer, Sam has also faced many trials, having been robbed at knife point by a gang of 4 thieves, stalked by a puma, racially abused and held up at gun point.
As Sam makes the 564 day worldwide pilgrimage for unity, he is encouraging people to attend WYD08 in Sydney and in particular, not miss the chance to visit his home state, Tasmania, to enjoy Days of the Diocese.
Having commenced the journey on December 14 last year, Sam will travel from Cape Branco the eastern most point of Brazil, through South America, Central America and North America, across Russia, and down through Europe to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The self initiated global quest will culminate in Sydney on July 14, 2008.
Sam says, Walk4One represents a powerful opportunity for Catholics worldwide to respond practically to WYD founder, Pope John Paul II, and his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (May 25, 1995). In it, the Pope refers to ecumenism as “an organic part of her (Church) life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does" (20). The quest for unity is a duty that springs from the very nature of living one's faith. "God wills the Church, because he wills unity, and . . . to believe in Christ means to desire unity" (9). All Christians, therefore, "should be inspired by and submissive to Christ's prayer for unity" (33).
To simplify this enormous agenda and make a practical response accessible to everyday people, Sam is inviting every Christian to join him by setting their watch or mobile phone alarm for 4.01pm, as a reminder to stop for a moment and pray that God will unite us as, ‘one in Christ’. With Christians praying at 4.01pm across the different time zones Sam hopes to create a powerful 24 hour a day worldwide prayer session in the name of Christian unity.
“People don’t necessarily need to pray for long, even just 30 seconds as you work is enough, and a valuable way to be part of this worldwide quest. Imagine the power of thousands of Christians, joining together each day, united in our focus on Christ and our desire for unity, in that one moment!”, said Sam.
Sam says over the last couple of years, a number of experiences left him overwhelmed by the division amongst Christians around the world and convicted of the great sadness this brings our Lord. He felt moved to leave his job, home and family, sell everything he owned to fund the journey, and begin the 564 day mission.
“I had read several autobiographies in which Christians spoke of being ostracized and worse, by family and friends when their spiritual search led them to convert from one Christian denomination to another. This left me struck by the division amongst Christians around the world. Despite all believing in Christ; various conflicting theologies, practices, experiences, misunderstandings and belief systems continue to cause judgment, conflict and division between Christians,” said Sam.
“With such division it is impossible to say that the body of Christ is united. It is broken. I don’t claim to know what true unity looks like but I was, in that moment, so convicted of the broken body of Christ and the sadness this brings our Lord. I felt the need to pray and motivate others to join me in praying, so together we can surrender our own agendas and ask for God’s vision of unity to come to be”, says Sam.
Sam’s extraordinary commitment to this quest is clear, after more than 130 days on the road he continues, despite facing many difficult experiences. On Sunday May 13, in Costa Rica, he was robbed by a pack of thieves as he walked with a South American World Youth Day group. In Venezuela he was stalked by a puma in the middle of the night, held up at gun point by a farmer who mistook him for a robber and endured racially motivated physical and verbal abuse.
On some days he has been forced to walk up to 60km a day in 40 degree temperatures. He has slept on roadsides and in rat infested rooms. However, he has also experienced the great hospitality of many Christian Churches along the way, which have joined him in prayer and invited him to speak of his journey and his desire for unity.
Christians are encouraged to visit the Walk4One website at www.ymt.com/walk4one, where they can add their name to a growing worldwide list of Christians praying daily for unity at 4.01pm. The website also provides further background on Walk4One, Sam’s itinerary and weekly blog.
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To arrange an interview, contact Samuel Clear on walk4one@yahoo.com.au
For further information on Walk4One, access to Sam’s itinerary and weekly blog, visit www.ymt.com.au/walk4one or call Kristen Toohey on +61 417 043 032
Background on Samuel Clear
Prior to Walk4One, Samuel Clear was a Manager with Youth Mission Team Australia (YMT), one of the most experienced Australian Catholic youth ministry teams in the country, focused on bringing young people into personal relationship with Christ.
One of 5 children, Sam was born in February 1979 and grew up on isolated Flinders Island before his family moved to a 1500 acre property in central north Tasmania. He attended St Patrick’s College in Launceston, where he was School Captain in 1996. He furthered his studies at the University of Tasmania, graduating in 2001 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His upbringing on Flinders Island and then in rural Tasmania instilled in him a great sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors, particularly sport. He played AFL reserves as a 17 year old and represented Tasmania in football and basketball. He was also heavily involved in both cricket and athletics. Standing at 196cms (6 ft, 5 in) and weighing 95kg – he’s difficult to miss!
MAY 13 2007 - AUSSIE PILGRAM MUGGED IN HIGHWAY ROBBERY |
MEDIA RELASE
May 13, 2007
Aussie Pilgrim Mugged in Highway Robbery
At 2pm today Samuel Clear, a 28 year old Australian walking the globe to promote the unity of Christians, was attacked at knife point and robbed by a band of 4 thieves in Costa Rica. Sam was walking and praying with friend, Damian Burgur, and a Costa Rican World Youth Day Group, when they were set upon by the four assailants.
The robbers thrust long-blade knives at the group of 11, threatening them as they lined them up along the railing of the bridge as heavy traffic flowed past. The thieves then stripped the Christian prayer group of everything valuable, including 4 backpacks, cameras, mobile phones, wallets, watches and sunglasses.
Within minutes around 10 police vehicles took chase and opened fire on the robbers as they tried to escape off the end of the bridge and down through a canyon. 3 were successful, but the fourth, was apprehended and is now facing court in Costa Rica. Sam, Damian and the group were shaken and stunned by the surprise attack, but amazingly not injured.
Despite having a knife thrust at his stomach and losing around $2,000 worth of gear, Sam had this to say, after he met the young thief, who had been apprehended.
“He was just 16 years old. He was incredibly ashamed & very quiet as he stood there looking at the floor. We introduced ourselves & I explained why we had been walking.
I gave him a World Youth Day postcard/invitation & Damian popped some rosary beads into his hand. He looked up, smiled & said thankyou, before tentatively extending his hand. We each shook hands & he once again bowed his head & returned to his cell.
Two hours later I saw him entering the court house still holding his postcard and beads - the kid wasn't the ring leader. His name is Danny if you'd like to offer a few prayers for him,” said Sam.
Such a gesture - rare but fitting, as Sam is five months into a 29,000km global pilgrimage that has love and unity, despite differences, as its central theme. Sam sold everything he owned to personally fund the journey, and left Australia on December 14, 2006. This began 564 day, worldwide journey, which will include 18,000kms traveled on foot. From Cape Branco the eastern most point of Brazil, Sam is travelling through South America, Central America and North America, across Russia, and down through Europe to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The unique quest will culminate in Sydney in July 2008 for the start of World Youth Day.
Specifically Sam is inviting every Christian to join him by setting their watch or mobile/cell alarm for 4.01pm as a reminder to stop for a moment and surrender ourselves to Christ’s vision of Christian unity coming to be - the vision that Jesus prayed for in John 17:23. With Christians praying at 4.01pm across the different time zones Sam hopes to create a powerful 24 hour a day worldwide prayer session in the name of Christian unity.
“People don’t necessarily need to pray for long, even just 30 seconds in the midst of your day is enough - imagine the power of thousands of Christians, joining together each day, united in our focus on Christ and our desire for unity, in that one moment!”
Sam’s extraordinary commitment to this quest is clear, after more than 130 days on the road he continues, despite facing many difficult experiences. In addition to the highway assault today, in Venezuela, he was stalked by a puma in the middle of the night in, held up at gun point by a farmer who mistook him for a robber and endured racially motivated physical and verbal abuse.
On some days he has been forced to walk up to 60km a day in 40 degree temperatures. He has slept on roadsides and in rat infested rooms. However, he has also experienced the great hospitality of many Christian Churches along the way, which have joined him in prayer and invited him to speak of his journey and his desire for unity.
Christians are encouraged to visit the Walk4One website at www.ymt.com.au/walk4one to add their name to a growing list of Christians praying at 4.01pm, read about Sam’s adventures on his weekly blog and access Sam’s itinerary, so you know when he will be walking near you.
- ends -
To arrange an interview, contact Samuel Clear on walk4one@yahoo.com.au
For further information on Walk4One, access to Sam’s itinerary and weekly blog, visit www.ymt.com.au/walk4one or call Kristen Toohey on +61 417 043 032
Background on Samuel Clear
Prior to Walk4One, Samuel Clear was a Manager with Youth Mission Team Australia (YMT), a Catholic youth ministry, focused on bringing young people into personal relationship with Christ.
One of 5 children, Sam was born in February 1979 and grew up on isolated Flinders Island before his family moved to a 1500 acre property in central north Tasmania. He attended St Patrick’s College in Launceston, where he was School Captain in 1996. He furthered his studies at the University of Tasmania, graduating in 2001 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His upbringing on Flinders Island and then in rural Tasmania instilled in him a great sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors, particularly sport. He played AFL reserves as a 17 year old and represented Tasmania in football and basketball. He was also heavily involved in both cricket and athletics. Standing at 196cms (6 ft, 5 in) and weighing 95kg – he’s difficult to miss!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Frequently Asked Questions
Samuel Clear answers questions on Walk4One
Why are you doing this walk? To pray for the unity of Christians and invite the world to pray for unity.
What made you decide to walk around the world? Why walk? Quite simply, to draw attention to unity. The Church is the Body of Christ and it is broken. To peacefully travel the world praying and inviting prayer I hope, will encourage all Christians to embrace a desire to be united - completely. One love, One in Christ, One World. And spreading a message via email just doesn't cut it anymore.
How are you funding the journey? Personally. I sold my Land Rover and saved any money I could for the year leading up to leaving Australia.
How long did it take you to organise a journey like this? 12 Months of intense map reading and emailing. I have planned each day for 18months of walking (on an excel spreadsheet) so it took a long time to piece the route together, town by town. I also spent a good 5 months preparing the right gear to accompany me on the journey.
You are passing through a lot of countries. Did you try to learn any of the languages? I travel through 9 different languages on the trip. I tried to learn some Spanish before I left but didn't get past, "I don't speak Spanish". I was working full-time and planning the trip plus doing intense fitness work, so it got pushed aside. I'm learning as I go!
How far are you walking each day? I walk between 30 and 50km each day with a rest day every 7 to 10 days. My longest day thus far was 66km.
Have you had any injuries so far? Only one of significance. I have a badly injured big toe. It bleeds regularly and needs attention every few hours. It has been this way for 6 weeks or so. It is healing slowly. I also tore a butt muscle getting into my hammock, but that doesn't really count. Does it?
Where are you sleeping as you walk? I don't sleep walk as far as I know. When I stop walking I sleep wherever I can. I've slept in Hotels, Ministers, Priests and Bishops houses, slept on farms, in random peoples houses, I've slept under a semi-trailer, on the side of the road and in guard houses. Anywhere.
What kind of unity are you talking about? What does this mean for Christianity? To be honest, I've often wondered what true unity does look like. As I've walked I've prayed and thought about this a lot. True unity certainly isn't conformity. Unity is being able to embrace with God's love, the God given variety that makes each person so uniquely beautiful, yet at the same time holding onto a common truth of who God is, who we are in God, what the church is and how God has shown his love to us. In all honesty, true unity is difficult to imagine. I think we just make excuses. We know what unity is, and we don't have it.
What do you think will make unity possible? A desire for it, love and above all, prayer. A lot of humility wouldn't go astray either.
I can't walk around the world. What can I do to help bring unity between Christians? Yes you can, I'll teach you! Though, if you can't get the time off work... The most important thing to so is to pray, pray and pray some more! To pray for unity, to pray for humility and to pray for each other. We can also seek to understand other churches. It can be daunting and counter-productive to seek to understand those who are at the opposite end of the spectrum to our own church, so perhaps begin with those churches with whom you have a lot in common. Piece by piece the body can be reformed by the grace of God!
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