Ps John Parer
John Parer is a pastor from Taree, Australia, whose life was radically transformed by the love of Christ. His testimony of brokenness, searching, and surrender has shaped a powerful message for the church today.
In 2000, John received five prophetic visions, a month apart, that revealed the heart of The Compelling Church. These visions call believers to follow Jesus, live in Him, draw on His love, receive the Father’s embrace, and give His love to others.
John’s passion is to see the church not driven by duty, but compelled by love (2 Corinthians 5:14). He ministers on themes of identity, healing, belonging, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Through preaching and leadership encouragement, he would like to helpschurches move from busyness to intimacy with God. From survival to fruitfulness, from performance to authentic love.
In 2026 John will minister across the USA, India, and South-East Asia (April–July).
He is also available now to serve churches in NSW and South-East Queensland until April 2026, and again after August 2026.
John Parer’s Testimony & The Compelling Church
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14
The gospel has always been personal for me. I didn’t grow up in a stable Christian home. Instead, my story began in a working-class suburb of Sydney, the eldest of four children in a family fractured by dysfunction, divorce, and addiction. By 12 I was already drinking, drawn into the turbulence around me, and trying to rescue those I loved through 12-step meetings.
Through my teens and twenties I searched compulsively — surfing, rugby league, renovating houses, coaching, teaching, travelling, and chasing peace through meditation groups, spiritualist churches, eastern religions, and new age practices. By 35, my marriage had collapsed after years of co-dependence, leaving me broken and questioning my identity, purpose, and meaning.
One night, someone at a spiritualist church told me to read Kahlil Gibran. I picked up Secrets of the Heart and was captivated by his piece On Good Friday, describing Jesus’ courage and passion. It stirred something deep inside me. From there, I devoured the Bible hungrily — desperate for truth. With no “Christianese” words for prayer, I simply begged: “Holy Spirit, possess me.” That raw prayer became the turning point of my life. God met me in my broken honesty, and His Spirit filled me with love, power, and clarity.
A Broken World in Need of a Compelling Church
Today, “church” is a word loaded with misunderstanding and mistrust. The past decades have seen devastating failures — scandals, financial misuse, hypocrisy, and cover-ups that wounded countless lives. Many now see church as irrelevant or corrupt, while census data across the West shows steady decline in attendance and Christian identity.
Generations X, Y, and Z are growing up in an aggressively secular, consumer-driven, and anti-Christian age. Subjective “truth” dominates social media, and culture calls evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Many don’t just drift from God — they actively reject Him.
Yet in every generation, God preserves a remnant. He still baptises with His Spirit, still restores lives, still builds His Church. Our challenge is not to defend a tarnished institution, but to rediscover the Church Jesus promised to wash, build, and empower: a Church compelled not by duty, but by love.
The Five Prophetic Visions (2000)
In 2000, at my lowest point, God gave me five prophetic visions about a month apart. Each came with a phrase that continues to shape my life, ministry, and the calling to build The Compelling Church.
-
Come, Follow Me
Church is a people called out of darkness into God’s light — a rescue movement, not a weekly ritual. -
Come, Live in Me
Church exists so we may abide in Jesus, see through His eyes, and walk in His truth and love. -
Draw on My Love
Church is empowered not by performance or programs, but by God’s supernatural love poured into our hearts. -
Let Me Embrace You
At its core, Church is family — a place where shame is broken and our identity is restored as sons and daughters. -
Now, Give My Love to Others
Church is lived when believers, compelled by Christ’s love, shine His light and share His mission with the world.
John’s Passion Today
The Compelling Church is more than a vision — it is a conviction that the Church must rediscover her true identity. It is not about buildings or programs, but about people compelled by Christ’s love to live in freedom, truth, and power.
After 5 years on my own I met Mary-Ann and we have passionately pursued ministry together; we are both compelled to see others encounter Jesus love and grace so as to heal and take their place in His team, the church.
This is why I write and why I preach. It’s why Mary-Ann and I are preparing for our 2026 ministry journey through the USA, India, and South-East Asia (April–July) — to encourage churches to encounter God afresh, strengthen leaders, and release the next generation into their callings.
I am also available to minister in NSW and South-East Queensland from now until April 2026, and again after August 2026.
Listen to some messages
Changed: By which power? From New Age to Christianity. Ps John Parer
Compelled by Love (5 Short Prophecies). Ps John Parer.