Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher (Movie Review)

The name Lonnie Frisbee may not be one that you are familiar with. But Lonnie Frisbee was a key figure in the "Jesus Movement" of the late 60's and early 70's. There was probably no more of a significant representative of the revival that swept through that time than this long-haired, bearded preacher. He was the instrument that God used in both the growth of Calvary Chapel and the development of the "signs and wonders" theology of the Vineyard movement.

This 2007 Emmy-nominated documentary chronicles the life, re-birth, and death of a man whose name has been erased from the pages of 20th century church history. Why? Because Lonnie struggled with the sin of homosexuality throughout his life. He experienced times of victory, but also times of defeat. He died tragically of AIDS in 1993. He presented a dilemma for many. How could God so powerfully use such an unclean vessel? (Of course, the reality is that God has always worked through "unclean vessels.")

Producer, director, and writer David Di Sabatino pulls together the compelling elements of this story through archival footage and interviews. This is a film that is thought-provoking and discussion generating. I highly recommend it for those willing to wrestle with the issues that it raises.

It is available through Amazon.com.