Let’s Build the Family exists to strengthen marriage, build family and bolster community. As a nonprofit* organization, LBF aims to provide a wide variety of educational services to support our community.
Archibald and Betsy Campbell chartered this non profit organization in April of 2007 but the real genesis was back in 2002 in the islands of Hawaii. The idea was conceived at their 10th wedding anniversary as they enjoyed a meal together at an Italian restaurant. The couple was aware of much pain and suffering all around them. Burdened by marriages failing and families struggling, the Campbells began to brainstorm a way to help the marriages and families in their community to gain in strength. An idea was born. They started a weekly marriage and parenting class in connection with King’s Kids Preschool in Aiea, Hawaii, which they pioneered and directed for 5 years from 1998- 2003. The class was well received by the preschool families and many were strengthened in their resolve. They titled the class, “Let’s Build the Family”. When directed to start a nonprofit corporation a few years later, it seemed fitting that that name should become the title of the new organization.
Family
The Campbells have 10 children with 9 living and 1 in heaven. They have been busy building the organization and their own family at the same time. They are now celebrating their third grandchild. It seems they’ve taken the admonition, “Let’s Build the Family” to heart.
After 19 years in Hawaii, the Campbells returned to Alaska to continue the work of encouraging families. Archibald was Family Life pastor at Anchorage City Church for 2 ½ years. Then the Campbells started a teaching business to partner with parents in the education of their children. Archibald taught full time for 3 ½ years out of their home and in other settings while Betsy was busy as full time mama, home educator, and domestic engineer.
Archibald moved on to consulting for corporate wellness for eight years. It was a unique season primarily consisting of partnering together with businesses for their organizational health. If business owners (Especially leaders of engineering firms) can learn to love their people and resolve conflicts, then so can the rest of us!
Under the Campbell’s leadership, LBF offered Marriage Fitness Small Groups. These small groups are designed for two or three couples to meet together and share the “deep things of their hearts”. Marriage maintenance means dealing with the issues and burdens that hold couples back from an excellent marriage. The Marriage Fitness small groups are designed to be a safe place where couples tune up their marriage and receive needed strength and courage in their journey.
In the summer of 2019, the call to invest in the homeschooling community was stirring again. So after a year of deliberating, in the summer of 2020, the Campbells began preparing for the school year of 2020-2021. In September, under the umbrella of Let’s Build the Family, the Campbells launched Motiv8Ed Home School Classes. They partnered with parents to motivate and educate their young men and women. The goal was the making of excellent citizens through thinking and communicating with the worldview of the Founding Fathers. Each student was challenged, for themselves and the sake of the Republic, to add to their unique person increased character, entrepreneurship, and public service.
Motiv8Ed Home School
So, for the first time, in 2020, Motiv8Ed Home School Classes launched a one room, multi-aged, educational experience for middle school grades (Called The Middle School All-In-One). Two 5th graders and one 9th grader attended as well. Archibald and Betsy taught the four core subjects plus a lunch and recess time for 20 students. The class content was full of rich principles and lots of discussion. Motiv8Ed offered stand alone classes as well. They included public speaking, debate, and physical science. The stand alone classes meet once a week for two hours and were offered for 8-18 years old students. For the younger ages, the stand alone classes included thirty minutes of recess and physical movement.
School year 2021 – 2022, we offered a similar “One room classroom educational experience” again for secondary (6th graders and up) students as well as an array of stand alone classes. We partnered with a local entrepreneur for a unique bookstore location. It was another successful year.