My name is Frank Campbell and I live in Dahlonega, Georgia.  I was born in 1963 in Marietta, Georgia to Jimmy and Naomi Campbell.  When I was eleven years old we moved to Dahlonega.  I have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).  As if one incurable disease wasn't enough, I went for two.  You might think my story is about coping with dying, but in reality it is how God has taught me to truly live and be all I can be in Christ! 

I was brought up by a loving, God-fearing mother, but when I turned eighteen I turned my back on Christ and didn't look back.  I partied and pretty much did a large variety of drugs along the way.  I had no regard for the ways of Jesus.  I felt that I could handle anything and I didn't need anyone but myself.  I eventually had a high position with a national supplier and you would have thought that I was living a great life.  But something was missing.  I tried to find it in my relationships, through drug use, and then physical activities like hiking, mountain biking, and rollerblading.  But nothing I tried gave me the peace I was looking for.

In 1997 I was diagnosed with hepatitis C.  I did a fruitless treatment of interferon for close to a year with no results.  I decided I was better off without the treatment and continued on my merry way.

Near the end of my treatments I met a young lady I fell in love with and I thought she was what I had been looking for to make me happy.  She was different from the other women I had been with because she prayed and went to church.  So I would go with  her to make "points".  Then something funny happened, we broke up, but I continued to go to church .  God used her to get hold of me!

So I eventually went to a church my friends, Chip and Dee Dee Terrell, told me about named War Hill Christian Fellowship.  Pastor Don Allen was the senior pastor and the music rocked.  But I was very much a "ain't no man laying hands on me" kind of person then and if anyone did touch me I was going to hold Chip accountable.  All that was about to change!

The church was having a 'bring a friend" Sunday and everyone I asked decided at the last minute not to come.  It was also the beginning of "Camp Meeting".  I didn't want to go but I did anyway and that was the day God got a hold on me.  I remember being on my knees at the altar crying my eyes out and asking God to forgive me.  Some of the men came and prayed for me and something clicked in me like turning on a light switch!  I couldn't get enough of church, I couldn't stay still, in fact I became known as "that bouncing guy".  I was there when the doors were open.

I eventually learned to play guitar with God's help and play in the church band.  I went on to lead music for children's church.  I was involved and lead the single's group.  Things were all falling into place, or so I thought, to eventually become a praise and worship leader.

But my physical health started declining despite anything I did.  I was very frustrated!  Doctors were very apathetic and told me I was just out of shape.  Finally a doctor referred me to a neurologist.  He did a fairly quick exam and left the room.  When he came back I figured he was going to tell me what the other doctors had.  But instead what he said rocked my world.  He said you have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and you have six months to two years to live.  Do you have any questions?  Do I have any questions!?  I think I said that it was something else to deal with on top of the hep C.  Everything became so surreal.  I gathered Mom up and told her the news in the car.  I still remember her crying and the pain I heard in her voice.  The pain I see in others for me still bothers me to this day.  We went straight to Pastor Don's office and broke the news to him.  We discussed my love of the children at the church. We talked about how God had changed my life.  My mother had been very quiet through much of the discussion.  She then said something I will never forget.  "This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it", she said.  It broke the heaviness that lay heavy on us and then we prayed.

I stayed with my friends, Charles and Angela Moss, for a month and a half so I wouldn't have to be alone.  I had to make a decision; Lay down and die or trust in Jesus and live.  I chose Jesus!

Despite the fact that my body is digressing, I live a rich and fulfilling life. I've met some really cool people like my favorite group, Third Day, twice and Dominique Wilkens.  I am surrounded by wonderful people who love me and take care of me.  And most of all I am  loved by a God that is forever faithful and will never forsake me.