Campolo, Everybody Wants to Change the World

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Tony Campolo and Gordon Aeschliman, Everybody Wants to Change the World: Practical Ideas for Social Justice. Regal Books, 2006.

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LifeandLeadership.com Summary

What Red Letter Christians does to explain Tony Campolo’s understanding of the biblical basis for social action from the teachings of Jesus, this text does to lay out his concrete suggestions for carrying out these beliefs. He and co-author, Gordon Aeschliman, draw upon years of traveling among the 50 states and over 100 foreign countries and witnessing the efforts of the Christians worldwide on issues of social justice. They glean from this exposure to suggest practical ways to address poverty, evangelism, the environment, the imprisoned, the oppressed, the elderly, the sick and disabled, and immigrants. It was written with college students and youth groups in mind, so many of the projects can be done over a weekend or spring break, but others are long-term efforts that may take a lifetime. Throughout, they list exemplary organizations those interested may contact to enter even more deeply into the helping those in need. Readers may not always agree with their proposals, but their level of exposure to the global Christian community elevates this volume as a good supplement to the more standard texts on Social Ministry Strategies.

The book is divided into ten sections, each with several chapters describing practical ideas. Each section begins with Bible teaching on the importance of that area of service, followed by data on the nature and prevalence of the problem, and then detailed (often step-by-step) descriptions of workable projects to address that need. Below is a list of the ten areas.

Poverty: Helping the Poor
Evangelism: Proclaiming the Good News
The Environment: Tending God’s Creation
Prisoners: Befriending the Outcast
The Oppressed: Upholding the Downtrodden
The Elderly: Honoring the Wise
The Sick and Disabled: Serving the Afflicted
Immigrants: Helping Those New to Our Land
The World: Caring for the People of All Nations
Take Action: Ideas for Healthy Activism

A helpful discussion guide appears at the end, equipping both participants and leaders of Bible classes and small groups to go through the material in as little as six or as many as eleven weeks.

This resource is especially good for use among its target group, college and youth, in sparking interest and giving workable ideas. One can easily imagine this group saying “Let’s do it,” after reading a few pages.

Those who are new to the idea of holistic ministry, i.e. integrating evangelism and social action, may need to supplement this book with Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry. Also, Everybody Wants to Change the World does not deal extensively with the process of introducing, educating, and mobilizing churches for the significant changes congregations experience as they engage holistic ministry. Ministry guides on that subject are found in Social Ministry Strategies.

Publisher’s Product Description

All over the world – and in your community – people are lonely, hungry, sick, struggling to make ends meet, bitter, imprisoned, dying. Do you feel powerless to make a difference? You don’t have to be helpless! From the simplest acts of kindness to more complex works of mercy, you’ll find more than 100 practical ideas for compassionately responding to the needs of others. It’s all here, from suggestions about working with the poor to honoring and assisting the elderly; helping immigrants assimilate and supporting the sick; respecting and serving the disabled, showing compassion to those in prison, and caring for the environment. You’ll discover practical ways to begin making a difference in your community today, and helping others catch a vision for changing the world! A leader’s guide makes this adaptable for group study, as well as individual reading. Jesus calls us to creatively and courageously share the good news by loving our neighbor. It’s time to begin!

About the Author

TONY CAMPOLO, Ph.D., is professor of Sociology at Eastern College in St. Davids, PA. He is also founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education – an organizations that helps “at risk” children and teens in urban America as well as in developing countries. Dr. Campolo is the author of more than 20 books and is a popular speaker both nationally and internationally. He and his wife, Margaret, live in Pennsylvania.

GORDON AESCHLIMAN is the founder of World Christian magazine, and is the author of John Perkins: Land Where My Father Died and Apartheid: Tragedy in Black & White. Born in the Republic of South Africa to missionary parents, Aeschliman is a graduate of Westmont College in California. He and his family live in Colfax, WA.

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