Author Description

Joseph W. Coughlin, or “Uncle Joe,” was the founder of Christian Service Brigade. His stories ignited the imagination of every audience. This book is filled with some of Joe’s favorite stories along with some from those he inspired.We are people of stories. God created us to enjoy telling stories and listen to those told by others. Through sharing we communicate passion, fear, joy and sadness. There’s something almost magical about a well-told tale—it pulls us and makes our hearts pound, tears swell, and brings comfort.The stories in this book have been told at thousands of campfires. I am not sure if anyone knows who told them first. Whoever created them would not recognize them as they exist on these pages. Every time a story is told, the teller changes it by making it their own. The story will never be the same again.Think of the campfire—of the flickering, dancing flames. The fire is made from the same wood, but it burns differently. The flames flow, change direction, and take on a form of their own. Stories are like that fire–familiar but also unique. They draw people in and hold them together in warmth.Campfire stories are for reading, for telling, and retelling. Use them the way you like them best, and as you pass the story and on to one another, remember you are part of a great campfire tradition.