WHO ARE THE CAMPBELLS?

Many Above Rubies readers have asked me to share more information about our family. Here we go.

Colin and I both are both blessed to come from a godly Christian heritage. We are grateful for this legacy. I believe God’s plan is for us to build godly generations so that His truth is passed on from one generation to the next. They say that the most difficult time of a relay race is to pass the baton to the next runner. We must be careful that we don’t drop the baton as we seek to impart God’s truth to the next generation.

As a child I remember my godly grandparents and now I see their great-great grandchildren (my grandchildren) being taught in God’s ways. That’s five generations in my lifetime following the Lord, and I trust that it won’t be too long before I see the sixth generation!

Colin’s great grandmother was an intercessor and she prayed for the coming generations. They have felt the power of her prayers. Colin is one of nine children, the majority of whom are involved in full-time service for the Lord. His brothers and sisters have also raised wonderful children who are now raising their children in the ways of God.

My parents were also godly people. They have now passed away, the most recent parting being my father, Ivan Bowen, who went to glory on the 29th December 2007. He was nearly 92 years of age.

We are New Zealanders and lived there until 1982 when we moved to Australia, apart from 1963-64 when we did missionary work in the Philippines. Colin pastored in New Zealand for many years and then pioneered and pastured a church on the Gold Coast of Australia. We lived there for nearly 10 years and came to America in 1991. We came to America for the purpose of ministering to families although Colin has also continued to pastor churches here in Tennessee.

What about our children? We raised six children who are all married and we currently have 35 grandchildren with three more on the way. Colin and I also adopted three older teenagers (John, Psalmody and Mercy) from Liberia, West Africa. Only Mercy (our youngest daughter of 20 years) is at home now. She is a delight to our hearts.

Although we originally come from New Zealand, we are very blessed that all our children and grandchildren live near us. The three married daughters and their husbands and families live on adjacent land in Primm Springs. The three married sons and their wives and families live less than an hour away.

Wesley is the oldest. He is married to Sharon and they have four children—Chanel, Grace, Anna and John Wesley (Jack). Chanel, our oldest granddaughter will be married in the spring of 2012. Wesley is the owner of the Christian band, Newsboys, and originally brought them to America from Australia.

Evangeline is married to Howard Johnson and they have ten children--Zadok, Sharar, Rashida, Crusoe, Jireh, Arrow, Tiveria, Sahara, Iqara and Saber Truth. Howard is an inventor.

Stephen is married to Simone and they have three children—Gabrielle (Gabi), Josephine (JoJo) and Oliver. Stephen manages the Newsboys and other music productions.

Rocklyn is married to Monique. They have three children—Joshua, Harrison (Harry) and Maxwell (Max). Rocklyn trades the future markets.

Pearl is married to Charlie Barrett and they have five children-–Meadow, Bowen, Rocklyn (yes, Rocklyn is named after his uncle!), Noble and Autumn Rose. Charlie produces all the Above Rubies music productions and also runs a pawn shop part time.

Serene is married to Samuel Allison and they have eight children--Arden, Chalice, Cherish, Cedar, Engedi, Vision, Shepherd and Breeze.

Updated December 2011.