Tony Campolo to Speak at Warm Beach Camp

“Jesus desperately wants you to allow Him to work through you to begin to change His world into the world He wills for it to be.” These words, excerpted from Tony Campolo’s book, You Can Make a Difference, paint a vivid picture of the message that will be shared at the next Potter’s Wheel Weekend, February 13-15, 2009.

Tony Campolo will be spending the weekend at Warm Beach Camp and those attending will not only have their views of the world challenged, but will undoubtedly be inspired to discover the difference God intends for them to make on His behalf.

As honorary chairman of REACH Ministries and founder/president of The Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), Tony has dedicated himself to making a difference, both socially and politically. He has worked to create, nurture, and support programs for “at-risk” youth in cities across the country, and has helped establish schools and social programs in developing countries around the world.

Considered one of the most influential preachers of the last 50 years by Christianity Today, Tony is a well known speaker, author, and media commentator on a variety of religious, social, and political matters. He is unafraid to touch on “hot-button” issues, the issues many people, many Christians, in fact, would rather not discuss.

He is considered a radical by some and “a voice in the wilderness” by others (Randall Balmer, Professor of Religious History, Columbia University). Why then, has Warm Beach Camp chosen to host such a controversial figure?

According to Pat Patterson, Director of Administration, “Tony Campolo may not be the first speaker that comes to mind when you think of the Potters Wheel Weekends for Spiritual Formation. He has a reputation among some for being controversial in his views and less conservative than some folks we’ve had in the past.

“Yet, we felt that Tony represents a perspective on God’s heart for the marginalized and disenfranchised that just cannot be ignored. Authentic spiritual formation results in God shaping our hearts in the image of Christ who had a deep compassion for ‘the least of these.’

“We expect Tony to say some things that make us squirm in our seats. We’re not looking for shock value so much as a deep stirring in our hearts to surrender to Christ and be shaped by His Spirit that, not only is our life changed, but our communities and entire society as well.”

In a time when society’s moral compass is far from where we, as Christians, pray for it to be, Campolo’s words could not be more timely.

If you agree that it is up to us, as Christians, to stand out proclaiming hope and peace in a dark world, we extend an invitation for you to join us for this important weekend. It is our prayer that this Potter’s Wheel Weekend with Tony Campolo will equip God’s people to make a difference in the world.

Please join us February 13-15, 2009. Come be challenged, inspired, and motivated.