At UBA, we have a pretty amazing team of people hard at work to serve our churches. As you interact with the association, however, you may only know a few of our folks. And that's sad.

Our team is one of the best assets you have. Part of getting connected to our network of churches is knowing the people who can get you connected. 

So we wanted to highlight the people whose stories you might not otherwise know. Because churches, ministers, staff, and associations are all #BetterTogether.

1. Let's start by introducing yourself.

I was born in a small town in Santa Rosa de Caval. I spent the first 6 years of my life on a coffee farm. Because of the violence in Colombia, my family moved to the city. From ages six to twenty-one, I grew up in Pereìra City in the middle of the coffee region. As the social situation continued to decline, we moved away from Colombia. 

I have worked at UBA for 15 years. I pastored Iglesia Bautista Horeb 38 years before leaving. Afterward, I spent another seven years as an interim pastor. Now, I'm praying to see where God wants me to serve. 

2. How did you get connected with the association? 

Colombia has associations too, but not like this. There, everyone volunteered to help other churches. So, I was connected in Colombia and immediately began looking for the association when we came to the United States. I interviewed with UBA's Hispanic consultant at the time and told him I wanted to be a pastor in Houston.

3. How does your role advance the gospel in our context?

In the last 5 years, I've been convicted that churches need to be more organic. We have been planting the same kind of churches, but we need something simpler.

I have a training called the Instituto Bilico Organico that I started offering 4 years ago. It trains leaders on how to start organic church plants. I also have an organic evangelism training that helps people share their faith naturally. And now I'm starting to mentor pastors. 

4. What's one thing most people don’t know about you?

I like to walk and jog that the park. Now, I want to buy a bicycle so I can get some exercise and help my knees. I also like to read and watch movies. Gloria walks and watches movies with me.

5. What are you reading right now? (in the Bible, interesting books, etc) 

Connecting by Larry Crabb. It's a book about psychology and relationships. He says that the way to help another person is by connecting. This idea connects very well with the association and an organic way to do church. I wasn't even looking for that, but it ended up being just right. 

Everything is about connection. There's a big difference between a contact and a connection. Connecting means to really know another person. It's the vulnerability to share yourself with someone else.

6. What motivates you to go to work?

As pastors and leaders, we motivate people. But who motivates us? I think my calling is to be a source of motivation for pastors and leaders. We need to practice the presence of God and connect with one another. 

In the Bible, passages like Psalm 23 motivate me. God is my pastor. It helps me be mindful that in the present moment with everything I face, God is my pastor. 

7. What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?

Now, I'm finishing a book called Dynamicas del Pensamiento Organicas (Dynamics of Organic Thinking). I never thought about writing a book, but little by little, I was convinced I needed to do it. 

A teacher once said that everyone should plant a tree, have a son, and write a book. I didn't even want to write. But people encouraged me, and I eventually decided to. My daughter said that writing is good for her and the kids to have something to keep of me.

8. What do you love to do when you’re not at work?

Gloria and I love to travel. 

9. What’s so special about a local association of churches? 

The association is important because it is local. I can relate with other pastors—especially in a year like this—in a way our big conventions cannot. The local association is the closest organization to the churches and its leaders. 

10. Tell me a story that makes you smile.

Haha, I smile every day. I find many reasons to smile, but honestly, I don't remember one right now. 

So now you know a little more about Campo. If you're interested in Hispanic ministry, organic church planting, interim pastoring, or movie recommendations, send him an email to connect.