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Leader to Leader: Remembering Dr. Kempton

Dr. William Amstutz

Dr. Wendell Kempton

Dr. Wendell Kempton

For many years I observed Dr. Kempton’s influence on my dad, Dr Harold E. Amstutz, who did research for ABWE and developed the Insight Series. As a family, we appreciated the interest of both Ruth and Wendell as my parents retired from ABWE. The handwritten notes, the stop-by visits, and the timely calls of encouragement and thankfulness were all such a blessing.

With Dad and Mom’s great experience at ABWE, I grew up wanting to get involved. I was blessed when Dr. Kempton chose me, as an associate pastor, to serve on the advisory board. It kept me in touch and informed about missions. I was humbled when Dr. Loftis extended an invitation to become a full board member. It was even a greater privilege to get the doctrinal committee assignment, similar work that my dad had done from his administrative desk.

In 1998, I became president of Shepherds, a ministry that provides Christ-centered services for people with developmental disabilities. I found that I needed closer friendships and mentors among those that share this level of leadership responsibility. For many years I served as an associate pastor, but the idea of being president was new for me. I needed help and support for this new undertaking. Who around me had been successful at what God had called them to do, and who was approachable to help someone just entering a new ministry post like this? The two men whom I found most helpful were Dr. Wendell Kempton and Dr. Paul Dixon. Little did I know when I called Dr. Kempton that I would not only get help for my road ahead but also would find both Ruth and Wendell already in love with the ministry of Shepherds. That love was so evident through their continued prayers and support of Shepherds. It was also evident as they came and toured our campus in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Their love for the residents was apparent as they fellowshipped with many of them during our touring time.

There were times when I just needed someone to talk with—someone who knows the challenges that press on a president’s desk. I needed a mentor, a confidant, a straight shooter. I recall a time early in my ministry at Shepherds feeling very alone. I called Doc and shared the current situation I was facing in leadership. For me, it was the most difficult challenge that I had ever faced to that point in ministry. I will never forget his answer. He said, “Bill, I am so proud of you and Nancy. You are doing such a wonderful job there at Shepherds. God is really using you. But, you know, in leadership you are going to get shot at, my friend. My advice to you is to just put your flack jacket on and keep on goin’.” At times our conversations were this brief. But this was all I needed from a trusted friend—someone who had walked the same road of criticism. I was encouraged to just go on and keep doing what is right.

Dr. Kempton was always busy doing what he enjoyed, but when I did catch up to him he would have time to listen and provide counsel. Not too long ago, I asked if I could meet with him when I was in the Harrisburg area. He shared that he could meet with me briefly. As always, his caring demeanor reflected a genuine interest in me and Nancy and the rest of the family. That was the start of most of our conversations. This time I asked him to help me in our 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign at Shepherds. I wanted him to co-chair the major gifts portion of our campaign committee. He humbly said, “Well, Bill, I don’t know that I can add anything to your great committee, but I will certainly be glad to try.”

We were blessed to have him in that position for a number of months. When potential donors heard that he was serving on the committee, credibility was added to our efforts. His desire for Shepherds to succeed helped me to take on the largest capital campaign in the history of Shepherds.  I attempted a call to update him on the progress of the early phases of the campaign. Since that phone call caught him at dinner with his family, we set up a call for the following Tuesday. That call never took place. Doc was hospitalized over the Christmas season. Little did I know that he would view from Heaven that almost 50 percent of our goal had been promised in the leadership gift phase of this campaign. Wendell would have shouted, GLORY!

The work of global evangelism and discipleship has lost one of its champions and leaders. I, along with my family, ministries like Shepherds, and so many others who knew and admired him, have lost an encourager, a mentor, and a friend. Heaven becomes all the more real when you have people waiting there for you. We can be truly thankful for the privilege of knowing Dr. Wendell Kempton and growing in Christ through his valuable guidance and counsel, but most of all, his warm and caring friendship.