Murray Archibald on faith, creativity, and building Camp RehobothThis conversation traces Murray Archibald’s life from a preacher’s-kid upbringing in Alabama to co-founding CAMP Rehoboth and helping shape a more welcoming community in Rehoboth Beach. He also reflects on the spiritual breakthrough that reoriented his life, the role of creativity in his faith, and the grief and resilience that followed Steve Elkins’ death. Key topicsIn this episode, Murray Archibald shares how being raised as a preacher’s kid, preacher’s grandkid, and preacher’s great-grandkid shaped his early worldview in North Alabama and North Georgia.He talks candidly about coming out in the late 1960s and early 1970s, feeling the church’s condemnation, and eventually walking away from organized religion for years.Murray describes a powerful spiritual awakening in New York during the AIDS era, which he experienced as hearing God say, “You are my child,” and which reoriented his entire life.He explains how that awakening became a call to serve the community rather than ordination, especially in the context of AIDS and LGBTQ exclusion.Murray recounts meeting Steve Elkins in the White House during the Carter administration, including the chance chain of events that led to a private White House tour and their lasting relationship.He details the origins of CAMP Rehoboth, including the phrase “Create a More Positive Rehoboth,” the influence of Rehoboth’s Methodist campground history, and the early organizing work that followed.He discusses the organization’s mission as connector and community builder, emphasizing neighbor-to-neighbor change over confrontational activism.Murray reflects on the AIDS crisis, the loss of friends in New York, local fundraising efforts, and how that work prepared them to build Camp Rehoboth.He speaks about Steve’s illness, aggressive lymphoma, and death in 2018, and how faith, trust, and community support helped him carry that grief.He describes returning to church at Epworth, feeling welcomed home, and later helping guide the congregation toward becoming a reconciling church.Timestamps00:00 - Murray’s biography and why his story matters 01:30 - Growing up in a family of Methodist ministers 02:48 - Coming out, church condemnation, and leaving religion behind 04:56 - The spiritual breakthrough that “turned my world right side up” 05:55 - AIDS, New York, and the first sense of divine calling 07:19 - Serving community rather than seeking ordination 08:18 - Meeting Steve Elkins at the White House 10:42 - Why Camp Rehoboth was founded 11:57 - “Create a More Positive Rehoboth” and the original concept 12:28 - Building the nonprofit and organizing the first efforts 14:34 - Camp Rehoboth’s mission as community connector 15:49 - The house-and-heart logo and becoming part of the town 16:17 - AIDS in Rehoboth, local losses, and activist work 17:50 - How AIDS organizing prepared them to build Camp Rehoboth 19:33 - Persevering through resistance and overextension 20:25 - Steve’s lymphoma diagnosis and rapid decline 22:17 - Faith as strength during illness and loss 23:15 - Journaling through grief and the legacy of Steve’s life 24:31 - Spirituality and creativity as one connected life 26:48 - Creativity exists in everyone 27:19 - The book project, poetry, and using journals as source material 29:21 - Morning pages as a form of guidance and prayer 31:21 - Returning to church and finding a spiritual home 33:04 - Helping make Epworth a reconciling congregation 34:01 - Board leadership, church governance, and current involvement 35:53 - Closing thanks and Murray’s lasting legacy
