In the fall of 2019, an Eastern University colleague and I were discussing plans to host a conference a year later called: Surviving 2020. We had no way of knowing how poignant and prescient that notion would turn out to be.
Now, with 2020 a few weeks in the review mirror, it’s impossible to forget the challenges last year posed while giving thanks for the God’s faithfulness in midst of the storms — a pandemic, social and civil unrest, economic hardships, and Tony’s stroke.
Yet, as followers of Christ, we’re a people of hope. And with hope and faith we must face the new year and work to cultivate the communities of faith and faith leaders to help us faithfully bear witness to the Good New. Here are some ways we are doing just that!
- We look forward to celebrating Tony’s 86th birthday in February and giving thanks to God for his faithful and inspiring leadership and witness.
- Tony will resume one-on-one mentoring with each of the Campolo Scholars via Zoom which are important and formative discussions for these young leaders.
- A new series of Tony’s inspirational messages about his dreams and hopes for the Church and the Campolo Scholars studying at Eastern University and Palmer Theological Seminary that are committed to faithfully serving in and leading local churches.
- Students returning to campus and living in intentional Christian community this week and their formal education and training for vocational ministry when classes resume next week on Tuesday, January 19th.
- We resume our weekly Campolo Scholars Fellowship Meetings on Monday, January 25th and have great lineup of guest pastors and professors to help us wrestle with our call as Christians and the church to engage the world and current events.
- We have outstanding Visiting Campolo Fellows scheduled for our Campolo Fellows Lecture Series in collaboration with the Baugh Family Foundation, Palmer Theological Seminary and Eastern’s Office of Faith and Practice: Kaitlin Curtis the week of March 8th and Mae Elise Cannon for Missions Forum the week of March 15th.
(Please let us know if you’re interested in attending any of these virtual events.)
