R.I.P. Rev. Eugene Campbell

My uncle passed away this morning at the age of 70 and it made me realize that I have never really had to deal with a death in the family in the past 6 years that I've been blogging...

Lindsay's paternal grandparents passed away in may and December of 2003, but I just happened to not really be blogging much at all during those times. basically: I hate death. Some Christians live their lives looking forward to the afterlife; my outlook is different - I believe we are to effect change here on earth while we are here.

My mom is the youngest of five and Eugene is the husband of her oldest sibling, Joyce. given the near 20 year age difference, Eugene and Joyce are near my paternal grandparents' age. my mom's father passed away in 1995 and over the past 13 years Eugene has become like another grandfather. three of my uncles are Nazarene pastors and it was Eugene who usually prayed at Thanksgiving and New Year's.

I always enjoyed having a good conversation with Eugene at our family get-togethers. Those used to happen more, but with time we've grown older and all of us grandkids have our own families now rather than just the five families of the siblings. When I would sit down with Eugene he would often tell me about one of his latest sermons. Sometimes the points of the sermon would spell something and it reminds me that a sermon needs to, in some fashion, fit inside a nugget that the hearer can take home with them.

You see, Eugene has been the pastor at a church near Cincinnati for roughly 30 years. Yes, just a bit longer than I've been alive. Over the course of that time they've lived in the same house and known one way of life. Some wondered if and when Eugene would retire, but what would he do after that? It wasn't just that he was a pastor, he was a pastor to this particular community.

In the summer of 2006, we went up there for Eugene and Joyce's 50th anniversary celebration. There wasn't just family there. There wasn't just church members there. There were also simply members of the community there. If I remember correctly, the mayor came and presented them an award for their service to the town.

What Eugene and Joyce and their family have done in this community over the past 30 years is exactly what I discussed at the beginning: effect change. They have spread the light and love of Christ over this entire community and all are better off for having known them.

Posted by smc at March 17, 2008 10:05 PM