James Campbell

Bro. Campbell was born in Geneva, Illinois on August 13, 1937. When he was just a tot, his father moved the family to Oregon. His early years were plagued with illness: rheumatic fever, chicken pox, scarlet fever, and measles. Due to his long stays at home during these illnesses, it took him three years to complete first grade. As a well-educated professional later in life, he loved telling people it took him three years to complete first grade.

As a teenager, his family moved again. California was their new home. Knowing everything as a teenager, he joined the Air Force to get out from under his parents’ control, to be his own boss! Soon after joining the Air Force, he found out that his parents were smarter than he once thought, and he was not his own boss at all!

Soon after his enrollment in the Air Force, he was shipped to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. After arriving in Mississippi, a visit to the First Pentecostal Church in Biloxi changed his life. He received the Holy Ghost, and a few months later married one of the young ladies of the church, Beneva Rae Smith.

Bro. and Sis. Campbell’s stay in Biloxi was short lived. During his time in the Air Force, Bro. Campbell served in Texas, France, Arkansas, and back to Mississippi. During their time in Arkansas, their first child, Sharon, was born.

It was back in Mississippi, after his stint in the Air Force, that Bro. Campbell answered his call to the ministry. At the age of 26, he became the pastor of Jesus Name Tabernacle. During the six years in Seminary, Bro. Campbell completed his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. The second addition to the family, David, was born during this time.

In the early 70s, the Campbell’s moved to the Mississippi Delta where Bro. Campbell pastored the First United Pentecostal Church in Belzoni. During the 11 years in the Mississippi Delta, Dathan, the baby of the family, was born, and Sharon, the oldest, was married to Michael Cooper. In addition to pastoring, Bro. Campbell also taught school while he worked to complete his Masters Degree.

In 1984, the Campbells moved once again. The First Apostolic Church of Pelahatchie welcomed their new pastor and his family. After 11 years of service in Pelahatchie, Bro. and Sis. Campbell decided to retire to their home on the Mississippi District Campground. During their seven years of retirement, the Campbells enjoyed being members of First Pentecostal Church of Jackson. However, ministers seem never quite able to retire. In 2002, Bro. and Sis. Campbell were able to make full circle and once again serve at the first church they pastored, Jesus Name Tabernacle.

When Bro. and Sis. Campbell moved into the parsonage next door, Bro. Campbell made the statement that unless the rapture soon took place, his next move would be right across the street. He knew what he was talking about. As in all the places the Campbells have served, their love for the community and the community’s love for them has been evident in the many lives touched and friendships made. Bro. Campbell has achieved what he has always exuberantly preached about, his final reward, a place in Heaven.