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Tony Campolo has died at the age of 89, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Campolo was a prominent Baptist pastor, sociologist, author, and public speaker who became a widely recognized advocate for social justice and the teachings of Jesus.
He was the co-founder, along with Shane Claiborne, of the Red-Letter Christian movement, which emphasized the teachings of Jesus, and a former spiritual advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Claiborne confirmed the news of Campolo's passing in a social media post on Tuesday evening. "Today I lost a dear friend and brother," he wrote in the post. "I will miss him something fierce, but I know there's a party on the other side."
Founder of several ministries and causes
Campolo's career included roles as a sociology professor at Eastern University in Pennsylvania and as an associate pastor in West Philadelphia.
In 1969, he founded the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and establishing schools and universities in North America.
Throughout his life, Campolo was both celebrated and criticized for his views, which often challenged traditional evangelical stances.
In 2015, he announced his support for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ couples within the church, citing his personal experiences and reflections on marriage.
In 2016, Campolo publicly distanced himself from the label of “evangelical,” citing its changing connotations in the United States.
In an interview with Premier Christian News, he stated, “If you say you're an Evangelical you're anti-gay, you're anti-women, you're pro-war… How do you reconcile Evangelicals favouring capital punishment when Jesus said: 'blessed are the merciful'?”
Campolo also authored numerous books and was a frequent guest on media programs such as Larry King Live and Nightline.
His advocacy for social justice, poverty alleviation, and other issues shaped his reputation as a prominent voice in modern Christianity.
In June 2020 Campolo had suffered a stroke. Since that time he had used a wheelchair, but continued to be active in ministry.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, and their two children.