Living Expenses for the McCallister Family

Josh McCallister is probably one of the most influential people in helping shape Rachel’s life, and her journey to learning how to follow Jesus. 

He’s solid, consistent, gentle, kind, and sarcastic in a way that only kids from Garland can learn to be, words like knife edges. Or, more accurately, shanks. 

He dragged her to Cornerstone Music Festival in Illinois the summer after high school. He dragged her to Texas Tech, into Lubbock and out of Garland, because he knew, deeply, that a change of scenery for her was a matter of life and death. 

Josh actually introduced me to a pixie-hair-cutted girl wearing a bandana and distressed overalls who cackled like a villain and had a dynamic sense of humor that could’ve only grown in the same hometown as Josh’s. They'd been friends for a long time at that point, they'd roadtripped to Illinois and he "made her come to Lubbock."

Josh married his wife Candace only a few months after Rachel and I and their faith, family, belief in community, and love for others has taken them to such diverse locales as Thailand, Clovis, New Mexico, Evanston, Illinois, and Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Josh is probably one of the most talented visual artists I’ve ever seen. His watercolor skills are insane. He even did a series of abstract watercolor paintings documenting part of Rachel’s life. 

He and Candace have 3 kids and they live simply and sacrificially. They’ve lived among Mennonites and they’ve done this amazing thing where they move into a community, but also build community around themselves. Welcoming, warm, compassionate, authentic, and inclusive. 

A while ago Josh was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck. Neck Cancer. It was treated as best as the doctors could. 

For 6 weeks across April and May, he was living in Houston near the MD Anderson Cancer Center. There has been consistent and gradual growth of the cancer and surgery on his neck, called a Carotid Sacrifice to make sure his carotid artery didn't rupture and help ensure healthy blood flow, minimize the risk of stroke, bleeding out, and otherwise, for all intents and purposes, to give him the best possible shot at as much time as possible. 

Recently, at a follow up appointment, test results from the treatment revealed that the cancer responded by growing very aggressively. His prognosis is estimated to be between a couple weeks and a couple months. 

Rachel and I want to raise $50K to help appreciate the stress of financial burdens so their family can focus on quality time together in the last few months of his life.

We are almost halfway to the goal. If you have given, thank you on behalf of the McCallister family, please continue to share this campaign. If you have not, please know that every dollar going to this family is helpful and supportive. 

Help us provide for Josh, Candace, and their kids during an impossible time.