With Alan Campbell
I recall someone once saying, “if someone is given great gifts, he (or she) must often travel the rough roads of hell”. Something like that! Well, Pastor Campbell had some pretty rough roads to journey. I know of three times since the beginning of the 21st century, that in similar circumstances, lesser men would succumb. Alan didn’t, he got up and with God directing him, he re-established his role as a teacher, writer and inspiration. He reminded me of the words of the oft-quoted poem, ““Fight on, my men,” A little I’m hurt but not yet slain. I’ll just lie down and bleed a while, And then I’ll rise and Fight again.”
Several years before his death, I called Alan and asked him if he would like to be a writer in this Association’s monthly magazine, “Thy Kingdom Come”. He readily accepted and I think he was guided a great deal of the words of Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded …” Remember, Alan was very sick at the time, but true to his word, he made sure that each month, there was an Alan Campbell article in our magazine. And judging from the comments we received from our readers, they were among the first articles read when the magazine was delivered to the reader’s door.
Let me end this memory of Pastor Campbell by quoting a verse that I think describes him to a T, it is from Romans 12:6-8. It’s almost like Paul was describing the Irish Warrior. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Pastor Campbell had all these gifts and he didn’t let God down.
Goodbye, Alan, We shall see you again in the Kingdom.