This year I am publishing our Christmas letter on our website and through Facebook if for no other reason than it seems the easiest thing to do.
First of all, let me give a very quick excerpt from one of my recent blogs in which I gave an update on some of the things we are doing.
“I can’t believe it’s been two years since I wrote a blog titled “Jumping off a cliff.” In it, I talked about our decision to step out of leadership of the church we had planted many years before in obedience to God’s call to serve him on a wider basis.
No salary, no pension, still kids to support. All those thoughts went through my mind, believe me. But the same God who began to supply my needs as a penniless student and carried me (then us) through so many challenges since has - guess what - showed himself faithful. When we look back on God’s track record of faithfulness, why do we ever doubt? Probably for the same reason the disciples doubted Jesus’ ability to feed the people with seven loaves when just a few days before he had fed an even bigger crowd with only five. In truth, we are all doubting Thomases, to one degree or another.
We have spent the last eighteen months in various places in Canada, the USA and the UK. In a decision of faith in response to God’s clear direction, we moved a couple hours south to Stratford, Ontario, where we found a house in the first few minutes of looking, bought it unconditionally on the spot and then had to wait on an eleventh-hour divine intervention to sell our house in Owen Sound. The Lord loves to keep us reliant on him.
What are we doing? In truth, a wide variety of things. Preaching, seminars, counselling, writing, a lot of working with church leaderships, and keeping in touch as spiritual parents with people around the world on a pretty well daily basis. I have a book on suffering being considered by a publisher in the UK, and a devotional on the Psalms two-thirds written. In Isaiah’s language, our stakes have been strengthened, our cords have been lengthened and our tent has been stretched out.
We have a lot less income, but a stable bank account. That to me is amazing. But it does help to have paid off all our financial obligations. Churches and individuals have partnered with us to support us in various ways, though we are not on formal salary anywhere. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received.”
I’ll add a couple of things to this. One of the greatest joys we have is that we are doing almost everything together. There is very little, other than teaching, that Elaine is not involved in, and she makes her own contribution to that, as she always has. I hope to finish the Psalms project by March. A very talented friend has offered to develop an app for me, so that sometime in 2019 all my content, including the devotional, can be uploaded to one app that can be accessed easily. I’m also looking for the best way to get the devotional into print form too. I’ve written a draft for a booklet on the authority of Scripture for a major international movement of churches, and been published by the Gospel Coalition.
People often ask us how our family is doing. I always reply, “That’s a broad question!” With eight kids and our fifth grandchild on the way, there’s always something happening. Anyway, here’s the quickest rundown I can manage.
Josh and Katie (plus Joseph and Tate) moved to be part of a large church east of Toronto, where Katie is heavily involved in the worship and songwriting team. Josh has been a hero of faith, having lost his job due to a corporate bankruptcy in September, working various part-time contracts in digital communication and still trusting God for employment. Chris and Anna (plus Eleanor and Harriet) are busy in London, where Chris works for a Christian organization involved in the political and policy realm and Anna works for a local government organization. Michael and Samantha (plus baby due in May) are in Toronto, Michael working in corporate communications and Samantha teaching French immersion. John operates a landscaping/design/snow removal business back in Owen Sound, and is busy driving the very large John Deere tractor he has acquired. Rachel is living in Ottawa and teaching at a private school for girls; in June she will be married to Matt, who came over from the UK to help with the young and thriving church they are part of. Sarah has moved back to Stratford to start a distance learning diploma with a highly-regarded art therapy institute in Toronto. Julia and James are both students at the University of Ottawa. Julia is in her third year of a psychology degree James in the second year of a history degree.
If we come to mind, please pray for us, that all he has called us to do at this season of our lives will bear a rich harvest. In one sense, we have far more to give now than ever before.
We thank God for the countless rich relationships he has blessed us with over the years, including many of you around the world who will read this letter.
With our love
David and Elaine
Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash
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Foundation of Faith Project is strengthening generations in faith and bringing beautiful changes to the communities around them. Through teaching, mentoring and coaching, many are finding out who they are and who they are destined to be. They are bringing more to their world. David Campbell is the key leader in this initiative and you can support him financially directly through Awakening Ministries.
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