Howard Grace was born in Newbury UK in 1940. After studying physics at university in the 1960s he volunteered full time for 14 years with MRA. This included five years in India and Australasia, and four years in South Africa during apartheid times. In 1979, he fell foul of the security police there which caused considerable inner turmoil. On returning to the UK with his wife Maria and two young children, he trained as a teacher at the age of forty.

Howard then spent 15 years teaching mathematics in a State school. Following that he founded and led a programme conducting sessions in hundreds of senior high schools around the UK on issues related to purpose in life and motivation. He was also part of the faculty for five Foundations for Freedom courses in Eastern European countries, also ventures to China, Sri Lanka, India and the USA.

In 2010 Howard and Maria changed their spiritual home to the Quakers. He continues to be active in a wide array of activities, especially related to peace and spiritual motivation. In 2019 he became the Newbury coordinator of the Progressive Christianity Network UK. He is also the executive producer of the award-winning film Beyond Forgiving. 

Howard and Maria have two daughters, and three grandchildren.