TONY CAMPOLO

When Haddonfield United Methodist Church was looking for someone to lead its upcoming revival weekend, the Rev. George Morris had one guy in mind: Dr. Tony Campolo.

"He gets the crowd going," Morris said.

In more ways than one.

The Philadelphia-born evangelist is known for his commitment to the poor, the hungry, the homeless. He co- founded UrbanPromise, a Camden ministry that recruits college kids to serve the city's youth.

A prolific author and speaker, the 68-year-old travels the world on a packed speaking schedule. Earlier this week, he was in Australia. Morris booked him a year and a half ago to deliver a three-day series of sermons entitled, "Becoming Spiritually Real, in a Make- Believe World."

Morris hopes Campolo will recharge his congregants' spiritual batteries, ridding them of what he calls "church blahs." Revival services are a long-time Methodist tradition, he said. It's especially helpful to have an outsider lead them, he added.

"They can shoot and run," Morris said.

Campolo is well known for zinging his audiences. Morris recalls hearing Campolo speak in Ocean Grove before about 6,000 people, most of them senior citizens.

"He said, `You grandparents need to stop clipping coupons and start focusing on the children and youth in your families. You can't just live the retired life,'‚" quoted Morris, a 57-year-old grandfather.

Bill Smith of Cherry Hill has heard Campolo speak a half-dozen times since 1985. Among the most impressive was a speech before a Rotary Club in Baltimore before roughly 1,000 people.

"There was this hum of conversation and this guy gets up to speak," Smith said. "In a minute, the place was dead silent. He's a spell- binder."

Campolo is an ordained American Baptist minister, but he didn't make it as a pastor, Morris said. He was too blunt. Morris recalled this Campolo story: One day, he asked someone to teach a Sunday school class and his congregant said, "Pastor, I'm not good enough."

"Campolo told them, `Do you think if I had anyone better I'd be asking you?'‚" Morris said with a chuckle.

He also has attracted his share of controversy. Conservative Christian columnist Cal Thomas once blasted "the liberal Baptist" for being one of President Bill Clinton's spiritual advisers.

But Morris, who calls Campolo a theological "soul mate," doesn't understand the criticism. Why wouldn't a minister take that opportunity, he wondered.

Campolo has also angered some conservative evangelicals, Morris said.

"His strong social commitment raised the ire of some who think our primary job is to get people saved," the pastor said. "I think Tony Campolo's job is to get you saved and put you to work."

Smith compared him to a football coach. At a local venue, Campolo challenged his audience to move out of the suburbs and back into Camden. "That's where you can do some real good," he told them.

Morris expects Campolo will challenge his flock, too. About 500 people attend four weekend services in the socially active church, a Georgian Revival structure set in affluent Haddonfield. The church mailed 22,000 post cards announcing Campolo's visit to people in a 2-mile radius.

The church expects hundreds will attend, said Barbara Talton of Voorhees. A math teacher at Cherry Hill High School West and a choir member at the church, Talton called Campolo a dynamic speaker.

"You just feel like he's talking to every individual," Talton said. "You feel like he's talking to you."

Says Morris, "You can come and have a good religious high, but when you walk out of the doors of the church you ought to make a positive difference in the world."

Dr. Tony Campolo

Age: 68

Background: Grew up in West Philadelphia

Education: Graduated from Eastern University, earned doctorate from Temple University

Job: Professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pa.; ordained American Baptist minister; author of 28 books; speaker

Founded: The Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which develops programs for `at risk' children in cities across the United States and Canada.

He co-founded UrbanPromise in 1985. The Camden ministry mobilizes university students to serve children and teens in the inner city.

Family: Married to Peggy Campolo, two children, four grandchildren.

Favorite saying: `It's Friday, but Sunday's coming.'

Notable fact: Formerly one of President Clinton's spiritual advisors.

In the news: Jan. 24, 2003: Cover story of `Christianity Today': `The Positive Prophet'

Source: www.tonycampolo.org

If you go

Dr. Tony Campolo will lead a three-part series the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield. The series will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 9. There is no cost to attend, though an offering will be taken during the service. Call the church at (856) 429-0403 or visit www.haddonfieldumc.com.