{"id":27032,"date":"2026-04-24T05:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27032"},"modified":"2026-04-24T19:06:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T19:06:30","slug":"does-your-jesus-drop-bombs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/does-your-jesus-drop-bombs\/","title":{"rendered":"Does your Jesus drop bombs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Atlantic Northeast District moderator David Sollenberger<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does it change our perspective when we \u201cfix our eyes on Jesus\u201d as our 2026 Atlantic Northeast District Conference theme suggests?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was reminded the other day that not everyone is familiar with the video segments that I have shared with the church over the years. I was referring to a story by popular evangelist Tony Campolo at the 1986 Annual Conference during his sermon at that conference. He recalled how he explained to his draft board the reason for his request for conscientious objector status; he told the colonel who was hearing his case that he read the book In His Steps<\/em>, which advised readers to ask themselves in all situations, \u201cWhat would Jesus do?\u201d in that situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tony Campolo explained that the government could teach him to fly an airplane with bombs aboard, even over enemy territory. But when it was time to release the bombs, he would ask, \u201cJesus, if you were in my place, would you drop these bombs?\u201d He recalled that the colonel yelled at him, \u201cThat\u2019s the dumbest thing I ever heard. Everybody knows Jesus would never drop bombs!\u201d Tony shared with the Brethren audience that that general knew more Brethren theology than most Brethren he knew.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Watch or download the clip of Tony Campolo’s message to the 1986 Annual Conference at www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/r1fnydg1rhqfne35fadmc\/Tony-Campolo_Does-Your-Jesus-Drop-Bombs.mp4<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It seems that when we make Jesus the focus of our life and actions, those actions can be viewed in a whole new light.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to watch or download that clip, it\u2019s available at www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/r1fnydg1rhqfne35fadmc\/Tony-Campolo_Does-Your-Jesus-Drop-Bombs.mp4<\/a>. I have shared that clip often because I think that fixing our eyes on Jesus makes a difference, not only in light of the bombing that is happening in our world today, but in all facets of our life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— This article first appeared in the Atlantic Northeast District newsletter <\/em>ANE Today, and is reprinted here with permission. David Sollenberger of Mount Wilson Church of the Brethren is a videographer from Annville, Pa., serving as Atlantic Northeast District moderator for 2026. In 2022, he served as moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. He has documented decades of conferences and programs of the Church of the Brethren and is well known for his documentaries about church ministries and history, as well as the humorous NOAC News videos at National Older Adult Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n