Tony Campolo died last month. Tony was the most significant influence in my life regarding social justice.
In the 80s, I was a disciple of Tony Campolo. I would drive up and down the Northeast to hear him speak. Once, I even carried his luggage to his car after his sermon. Certain stories had such a lasting impact on me that I can still recite them from memory. It’s hard to measure his influence on my life. Without a doubt, his demand that we go on mission trips was the catalyst for my first trip to Nicaragua in 1991. In turn, that trip sparked all the work I do today.
He remained staunchly evangelical in theology while becoming socially liberal regarding abortion and homosexuality. I, on the other hand, became liberal theologically while remaining socially conservative. I remember approaching him after one of his sermons and asking whether a personal belief in Jesus was even necessary if you were doing the work of God. “Wasn’t it enough if you were feeding the hungry, assisting the poor, etc.?” He said, “No, a personal relationship with Jesus is essential.” I go back and forth on the issue, but I still tend to think action outweighs faith. Regardless, we were both convinced social justice is crucial to the Christian faith.
Anyway, there is a memorial service in Wayne, PA, on January 25, and I will be there to honor a great speaker and an incredibly compassionate man.
“I belong to a church that throws birthday parties for whores at 3:30 in the morning”