Rick’s Story

• 

  On the afternoon of January 6, 2011, the INJOY team as well as the broader ministry environment lost an incredible leader, husband, father, and friend when Rick Campbell went home to be with the Lord.  As you are aware, Rick was diagnosed with cancer in early 2010, spending significant time that year in treatment.

  Though Rick’s passing carries a sense of unbelievable personal loss, especially for his wife Deborah, and daughters, Ashley and Sarah, collectively we thank God for Rick’s ultimate healing.  His life will be forever celebrated, knowing that we have all been affected by the vibrancy that characterized Rick’s time with us.
  
  Christ-likeness. Character. Competency. Chemistry. Calling.  As owner, president, and CEO of INJOY Stewardship Solutions [ISS], these five core values embodied Rick’s commitment to ministry.   More than words or phrases, these values provided a framework for both corporate and personal leadership.  Whether equipping the ISS team, loving his family, serving his church, or coming alongside to coach pastors and leaders, the 5 C’s, were foundational to ministry.

  Christ-likeness - Walking into the ISS offices, most people first notice the open Bible sitting on a table in the atrium, in its rightful place           of prominence.  In his personal offices, Rick kept another open Bible on his desk.  The Word of God was the bedrock, the starting place           for life, leadership, and a commitment to Christ-likeness that set Rick apart.

        Character – As a for-profit consulting firm partnering with churches, Rick’s conviction is that ISS demonstrate only the highest           character in personal lifestyle and in relationship with churches.  As a pastor and ministry leader, Rick was a man of his word.  His           relationships ran deeper and bore more authenticity than most because he had the courage to be transparent.  Character has been           defined as “who you are when no one is looking.”  Rick represented his Lord, family, and ministry with nothing short of the highest           character.

  Competency – Feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of ministry, Pastor Carlos, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Watkinsville,           GA, rejoiced at God’s provision of a ministry partner following their first encounter.  Rick’s resume at the time included an           undergraduate degree from Lee University, an MDiv from Southeastern Seminary, a DMin from Fuller Seminary, planter of two new           churches; and executive vice-president for John Maxwell at ISS.  Carlos shouted “God, you’ve sent me some help!”   Rick loved           pastors and was uniquely hard-wired by God to help church leaders.  While at ISS, Rick personally helped over 500 churches raise           over $500,000,000 for Kingdom expansion and life change.  Rick possessed a high degree of competency.

  Chemistry – As a genuine lover of people, Rick invested deeply in people.  With a tremendous sense of humor, he was adept at           helping people focus on the best qualities of others.  An avid Orioles fan, the “team” spirit was always evident; helping others to enjoy           all that this life has to offer while making them believe they could accomplish more than they had dreamed possible.  “Doing           life together” was a favorite phrase.  He didn’t want anyone on his team that he would not enjoy spending time with away from work.

       Calling – Rick’s wife Deborah says “the reality is that death and eternity are something that each one of us will eventually face, and that           is why Rick gave his life to preaching the gospel of Christ, because Rick knew that Christ is the eternal hope of glory.”  What a           blessing it must now be for Rick to realize the extent of how Christ used his time here to make His name famous while helping           countless others com to faith in Christ!  Rick was called to ministry, to leadership, to helping change the landscape of eternity through a           life well-lived.

  Rick lived well, loved well, and carried the name, Christ-follower, with excellence.  As much as he will be missed, his legacy lives on in the form of lives that have been reached, touched, and changed by the power of God, as a result of his commitment to Christ.

  ISS and the Future

  As would be expected, questions arise related to a ministry’s future when that ministry leader moves on.  ISS was born over 18 years ago – from the heart of a leader; Dr. John Maxwell.  Over the years at ISS, he surrounded himself with gifted, skilled leaders. His book, The 21 Laws of Leadership, is a goldmine on leadership and a book that Rick treasured.

  The 21st Law – The Law of Legacy makes the following observations:

  A Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured by Succession
  Make your organization stronger by preparing your successor.  Leadership is not something you can delegate. You either exercise           leadership or abdicate it. Or…you can pass it on to your successor.  Leave a legacy by:
  1. Leading the organization with a “long view”
  2. Creating a leadership culture
  3. Paying the price today to assure success tomorrow
  4. Valuing team leadership above individual leadership
  5. Walking away from the organization with integrity
  Every leader eventually leaves the organization. Part of your job is to prepare your people and organization for what is ahead.  Develop           leaders.  You will be judged by how well your people and your organization do after you are gone.

  Rick was a great leader and was committed to The Law of Legacy long before his diagnosis of cancer. Given Rick’s love of the Lord, pastors, churches, leadership, and desire to see the ministry of ISS outlive his lifetime, he was committed to the development of a gifted team.

  As part of God’s providential plan, that team remains intact today, just as ready, armed, and able to assist pastors as ever!  The ISS core leadership team has been together for over a decade, standing united today, excited about the future and all that means in terms of Kingdom impact.

  ISS is committed to equipping churches to plan and execute the very best capital campaigns possible.  Beyond that, we have an incredible vision to help churches cultivate and expand the culture of generosity within.  As Christ-followers grow in the vital discipline of giving, the world can be changed in the name of Jesus.  That kind of focus and commitment both honors God and helps us carry out the desires of our friend and leader.

  Thank you for journeying with the ISS team in these days.  Your prayer support, encouragement, and partnership have been a gift from God.

  Please contact us with any questions you may have.  We are so thankful for you and stand ready to serve you with excellence while conducting ministry in alignment with the “5 C’s!”