Convocation announced

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Students will hear speakers from across the nation during special gatherings

Each year, Convocation hosts more than 80 speakers from every facet of society, helping not only to form students’ spiritual beliefs, but also their cultural outlook. After nearly a month of waiting, Liberty University freshmen will finally experience Convocation for the first time Sept. 8.

This yer’s list of speakers features several pastors, musicians and Christian leaders, both nationally and internationally known.

The clearest shift in the fall agenda is seen in the large amount of ministry leaders scheduled to speak. In years past, Convocation has highlighted the surrounding culture by welcoming numerous popular personalities, including Donald Trump, Justin Bieber’s mom, Pattie Mallette, and “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson.

Highlights for this year’s Convocation include best-selling author and humanitarian Shelene Bryan, Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes, Christian worship leader Chris Tomlin, Liberty alumni and twin entrepreneurs David and Jason Benham, Washington, D.C., pastor Mark Batterson and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly.

“What an honor to host such amazing leaders for Liberty University Convocation this semester,” Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser tweeted when the schedule was announced Friday, Aug. 29.

Nasser, who speaks to more than 500,000 people each year at numerous events across the nation, is focused on spiritual development, and Convocation will be one of the several tools he uses.

“My role is really going to be about helping the spiritual formation of our students,” Nasser told Liberty when he was first hired in early August.

Liberty’s Convocation gives students the opportunity to be challenged in their faith, reshape their opinions and expand the scope of their worldview.

“Convocation is a great thing for the campus,” Liberty junior Travis Meritt said. “It’s a time when we come together as a university with professors, students,faculty and visitors for corporate worship.”

After attending Convocation during a College for a Weekend visit, Liberty freshman Loghan Goins-Phillips said she is excited to experience Convocation as a student for the first time.

“Convocation, for me, is a way to refocus my week back on (Jesus), who has given me the privilege to serve and glorify him at Liberty University,” Goins-Phillips said. “I am looking forward to what this year has to bring.”

What Liberty offers in its triweekly Convocation is something unique that truly sets it apart from other Christian campuses around the nation.

“Convocation serves as an outlet for students to listen, learn and engage with some of the most influential people of our time,” Liberty senior Jaron Davis said.

Seven-time Grammy Award winning Christian artist Kirk Franklin is scheduled to speak at the first Convocation of the semester, to be held in the newly remodeled Vines Center Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. This will mark Franklin’s first time speaking at theuniversity.

For more information on Convocation and to see the complete schedule, visit liberty.edu/faithservice.