Author Campbell recounts the many remarkable incidents and notable characters that he and his wife, Wanda, have encountered in their dedicated work in street ministry. Located in Columbus, Ohio, their charitable mission, the Dream Center, has assisted many persons in desperate physical and spiritual need.
The twelve stories recorded here begin by focusing on Irv, who sat each night on a stone wall, drinking alcohol until he passed out. Wandering into Campbell’s mission house, Irv proved annoying at first but gradually began to assist in mission activities. Campbell made an extra effort for Irv, buying him a pair of shoes a few hours before Christmas morning. Irv stopped drinking and announced his love for Campbell and Wanda not long before he passed away. This yielded the lesson that to do God’s work, one needs to follow the example of Jesus to “go just a little farther.” Assisting a dangerous character called Doc Holliday was further corroboration of that conviction, as Campbell witnessed the rough, sometimes brutal Doc giving his Christmas bounty to a more desperate street denizen, revealing his true, tender heart. Through such happenings, Campbell’s Christian faith has been strengthened, underpinning his perseverance in helping others.
The Campbells began their ministry in 1986, sustaining an outpouring of practical and religious efforts for assisting prostitutes, thugs, the mentally disturbed, and families living in such extreme deprivation that they might have only one lightbulb for their entire hovel. The vivid examples presented center on the Christmas season, when God’s work may powerfully reveal itself. Each tale is followed by relevant biblical references and a prayer composed by Campbell. As a bonus, a QR code is offered for accessing videos related to the chapter’s materials. This inspiring book may lead others to emulate Campbell’s faith-based endeavors or start group discussions for further exploration and contemplation.