Dave Smith, also known as Fighting Father Dave, is an Anglican priest in Australia. Father Dave is best known for his work with at-risk youths, especially in his use of boxing for those suffering from substance abuse problems and anger management issues. He is a 6th degree black belt as well as a professional boxer. He is also a member of the Peacemaker International Board of Reference. Stephen and Dave have worked together on reconciliation projects supporting peacemakers in Syria and Palestine.

Father Dave has just returned from his eighth visit to Syria in six years. On his blog he reports on what was achieved:

“It was intense and stressful for me in many ways, but wonderful too, and I believe all our team – Dr Lou Lewis, Mike Lekkas, Henri King, my daughter, Imogen, and me – all gained a lot from the experience.

Happily, we were able to achieve my two primary objectives:

1. To establish a sister-church relationship with St George’s church in Maaloula.
2. To meet with the Mufti and ask him if he would write a forward for my about-to-be-published book, “Christians and Muslims can be friends”.

We had a wonderful time in the ancient Christian village of Maaloula, which is one of only two places in the world where Aramaic (the language of Jesus) is still spoken. We were able to give Father Toufic some money that we had raised and commit to praying for one another as churches. I’m trusting that this will be a long and mutually enriching relationship.

If you’d like to see the video of my interview with Father Toufic, it’s part of the video archive of the trip that I’ve posted on www.prayersforsyria.com.”

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