Disciple-making testimony
of Roy "Soup" Campbell
Roy A Campbell, better known as Soup, was born in the small town of
Shelbyville, TN, to two loving parents on October 15, 1959. His parents,
who have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year, have
been a good model for longevity in marriage and family. After
graduating high school, Soup pursued an athletic scholarship to
Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN, where he received
many honors and awards in athletics, as well as being a member of
Student Council and Who’s Who Among Junior College Students. He
graduated from Columbia State Community College with an Associate’s
degree and was also a 7th round draft pick with the Montreal Expos. Due
to a knee injury, however, schools who had earlier offered a full
scholarship to their 4-year institutions were now calling to say they
would not honor their scholarship commitments. Memphis State
University honored their commitment because their coach was a
Christian.
While attending Memphis State, Soup was invited to a Fellowship of
Christian Athletes (FCA) event, and December 5, 1981, he surrendered
his heart and life to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That day, his life
was radically changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 became true in his
life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old
things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Upon completing his eligibility at Memphis State, Soup began to work
with FCA and worked with the inner city schools of Memphis, TN. After
working for several years with different ministries, including FCA, Youth
for Christ, Neighborhood Housing Opportunity, and pastoring a church for
7 years, he felt the need to start a leadership and discipling ministry for
kids in the inner city. In 1997, Eikon Ministries was established. Soup
currently serves as Executive Director with Eikon Ministries, and has 8
staff members.
Soup met the beautiful Linda in 1982 at Memphis State, and 2 years
later they were married. They have been married for 24 years now. Soup
and Linda have four children: Antonio, LaSaundra, Jonathan, and
Tabitha, as well as their daughter-in-law Janis, and 2 grandkids, Kezia
and Keundra. They presently reside in the Binghampton community.
Soup first found out about Fellowship Bible during the wind storm
named Hurricane Elvis in July of 2003. He was going to the SOS building
to get ice for the older residents in his neighborhood, and there he met
Ben Parkinson. They began to talk, so Soup asked Ben to ride with him
to deliver the ice. Soup’s family began visiting Fellowship, and really
liked the way God’s Word was honored and preached, the way the
Church made God and His Word the center of worship, teaching, and all
they do. The Campbell family joined the church in 2005. They have been
blessed to see what God is doing amongst the saints at Fellowship
Bible.
Becoming...Romans 8:29