He is a co-founder of Manitoumie Center, 120 acres in Summit Wisconsin, and an activist with climate justice, and racial and interfaith reconciliation. He is the author of The 3rd Species, Saving the Soul of Jesus: The Spirituality of Jesus and Its Practice, The Song of the Universe: a three act play, and While in the Grasp: Collected Poetry of J. Roberts. He is musician, poet, song writer, and leads retreats, ceremonies, and inter-spiritual events. He has three children, three grandchildren, and lives in Rockford, IL, with is wife Sallyann, and their Saluki.