Nothing is more controversial than to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Nothing is more dangerous than to live out the will of God in today’s contemporary world. It changes your whole monetary lifestyle. … Let me put it quite simply: If Jesus has $40,000 and knew about the kids who are suffering and dying in Haiti, what kind of car would he buy?
This week, we’re grieving the loss of Tony Campolo—a pastor, sociologist, author, and one of the most compelling prophetic voices of our time. Born on February 25, 1935, in Philadelphia to Italian immigrant parents, Tony’s early life in a close-knit family shaped his faith and passion for justice. For decades, his life and words pushed countless Christians to live with boldness and purpose, showing how faith could truly transform the world.
For me, Tony’s influence was incredibly personal. I met him during my college years when I was studying finance. At that point, my faith felt pretty private, like it was something internal—more about personal discipline than about actively engaging with the needs of the world around me. But meeting Tony? That completely shifted my perspective. He had this energy, this passion, that pulled you in. He didn’t just talk about faith; he lived it.
I’ll never forget how he challenged me. He got me thinking about how I could use my education for something bigger than myself. For a while, I even considered joining the MBA program at Eastern University, where he was a professor. That program had this incredible focus on social justice—so in line with everything Tony stood for. I ended up choosing seminary instead, but the conversations I had with him planted a seed. Over time, that seed grew into a commitment to live out a faith that transforms—not just me, but the lives of others around me, in Jesus’ name.
Portland Seminary, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
Quotation: “Classic & Contemporary Excerpts.” Christianity Today, vol. 32, no. 10, 15 July 1988, p. 33.
Faith That Steps Into the World
One of the things that set Tony apart was his insistence that Christianity isn’t just a set of beliefs—it’s a way of life. He wasn’t afraid to call out the ways religious communities often turn inward, focusing on themselves instead of the people on the margins. He kept pointing us outward, toward the poor, the oppressed, the overlooked.
He even coined the term “Red Letter Christian,” emphasizing that the words of Jesus—the ones highlighted in red in some Bibles—should guide how we see everything: faith, justice, love, and action.
Tony’s faith wasn’t just talk. It was alive, active, and deeply engaged with the brokenness of the world. He believed that worshiping God meant joining God’s work to heal and restore what’s broken.
His Stories Showed His Heart
Tony was a storyteller at heart. He could take an ordinary moment and turn it into something profound. One of his most famous stories happened in Honolulu. He was jet-lagged and ended up in a diner in the middle of the night. While sitting there, he overheard a group of prostitutes talking. One of them, Agnes, mentioned it was her birthday the next day and that she’d never had a birthday party in her life.
Tony decided to change that. He teamed up with the diner owner to throw a surprise party for Agnes. When she arrived the next night and saw the celebration, she was stunned. Overwhelmed, she asked if she could take the cake home with her—she didn’t even want to eat it right away. For her, it was too special to just cut into. That moment, that simple act of kindness, embodied Tony’s belief in showing God’s love in tangible, unforgettable ways.
There was another story he shared about his time in Haiti. The poverty there was staggering—unimaginable, really. But Tony found ways to bring moments of joy to the children he met, whether it was treating them to ice cream or just letting them watch cartoons. It wasn’t about solving everything in one grand gesture—it was about restoring dignity and humanity in small but meaningful ways.
Courage to Speak Truthfully
Tony wasn’t afraid to speak hard truths, even when it came at a cost. He had no problem calling out political and religious leaders when they strayed from the teachings of Christ. His critiques of how Evangelicalism got tangled up in partisan politics stirred a lot of controversy, but he stayed firm. For Tony, the church wasn’t supposed to chase after power or political influence—it was supposed to be a reflection of Christ’s love and justice in the world.
It’s a reminder we all need, I think—that boldness and prophetic courage to speak out against injustice and hold the church accountable when it loses sight of its mission.
Radical Love at the Center
At the core of Tony’s ministry was love—radical, all-encompassing love. He believed, deeply, that every person is made in God’s image and worthy of dignity. Whether it was through his work in urban ministries, his push for racial reconciliation, or his fight against economic inequality, Tony’s actions always came back to love.
For someone like me, who grew up with a pretty insular view of faith, his teachings were eye-opening. He taught us that loving God meant loving our neighbors—not just in theory, but in real, concrete ways. He was a provocateur of the best kind—one who stirred us to love and good deeds, just as Hebrews 10:24 calls us to do.
That conversation I had with him back in college still echoes in my mind. Tony had this incredible way of challenging you without making you feel judged, of inspiring you without pressuring you. He showed me—and so many others—that faith isn’t just about what you believe; it’s about what you do. So, go and do – live boldly, love deeply and never stop seeking justice and truth.
Rest in peace, Tony Campolo.