IN PERSON ownership of the school. However, by that time, the business had nearly gone under due to the poor acumen of the original owner. “It was a vulnerable step of faith,” Leavitt said. “We found ourselves in a situation where we knew that what the situation needed was beyond human capabilities. We did believe God was capable of sorting it out and prospering if we called upon him.” Leavitt says trusting in God every day took them to the next step that needed to be accomplished. They turned the situation over to him saying, “If you want us to succeed in this you make it happen. God is rarely early but never late,” he said. And as the Leavitts moved forward one day and one prayer at a time, they called together a small group of employees in their living room and spoke honestly about the business, telling them, “We don’t have experience running this. This is God’s business; we’re counting on him to turn it around. Will you join us?”
The employees were not taken aback by the Leavitts’ bold reliance on God and agreed to join them in helping to make a go of the school. Some key new employees also joined the team. “Once again, God led some great people to us; not a lot of strong people of faith but those quiet people of strong faith,” he said. The Leavitts were also able to cover old debts and get the school on track. “Nothing was held against us,” he said. “We had a clean slate.” Upon that foundation, the preschool continues to grow, drawing upon Susan’s experience as a public school music teacher and John’s history with his parents, who were both schoolteachers and role models to young people. And whatever success the preschool continues to have, Leavitt gives the glory to God. “The school has prospered because he did it, not because I did it,” he said. “This is God’s work; all glory has to go to him. I never want to forget that for one moment.” By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
BOOKS SMART AND STREET SAVVY Pastor’s Life Experiences Prepare Him for Ministry Aaron Campbell, pastor of Antioch of Calvary return to a single-parent home that would often have its Chapel Church in Philadelphia, enjoys minisdoor kicked in by burglars. Campbell, who was not a PENN tering to a diverse group of people. Christian as a young man, went on to study pre-med at “On a typical day, I can be in the worst housing project Penn and spent his summers working as a janitor at the visiting a member of the church and then be on Wall Street Port Authority. having breakfast with a young Penn alumnus who is just Campbell chose to work in the dangerous Port Authorstarting out,” he said. “I feel like I ity to get “street credibility” from the have the best congregation on planet drug dealers where he lived. Alearth.” though from the same neighborhood, Additionally, Campbell and Campbell was different. At home, his members of his church direct an anmother encouraged him and his nual mission trip to Angoon, Alaska, brother to appreciate art, music, and where they serve the povertyculture. Although his parents were stricken village of 500 people. divorced, they agreed that education Making an impact in different was a priority and worked hard to worlds is nothing new to Campbell, send their children to private school. Penn ’97. But the tandem life of privilege Growing up in urban Plainfield, by day and the gritty streets by night New Jersey, he attended Wardlawleft Campbell conflicted. Rev. Aaron Campbell (L), Penn ’97, leads Hartridge, a private school. After “By day, being a man meant prohis church on annual mission trips to spending each day in a college viding for yourself through academic Angoon, Alaska. preparatory environment, he would prowess, cultural awareness, and
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The Ivy League Christian Observer