Kintzel gives final performance

Former Campus Band leader plays farewell concert during Campus Church

Justin Kintzel performed at Campus Church for the last time Wednesday, Nov. 12. The two-hour event was filled with memories, music, laughter and tears.

end of an era — Justin Kintzel sold more than 300 CDs after leading his final worship service. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

End of an era — Justin Kintzel sold more than 300 CDs after leading his final worship service. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

Justin Kintzel has served as Liberty’s worship pastor for several years and has been with the university for a decade. He noted his favorite part of the job has always been the students, specifically forming strong connections and bonds with them.

“I’m so excited to do this final campus church,” Justin Kintzel said. “The students that attend Campus Church, I believe, are truly the lifeblood of the worship community at Liberty. To be able to lead one last time with a congregation who have been like a family this year walking through so many things with me, will be really special.”

Justin Kintzel said he hopes to stay connected with students on social media and be able to return and lead for events such as Spiritual Emphasis Week, Campus Church or Convocation.

“If I’m invited, I’ll absolutely make it happen,” Justin Kintzel said. “I still love this place.”

Thomas Road Baptist Church’s sanctuary was filled with students. Ashley, Justin Kintzel’s wife, sang with him. The rest of the campus band, who were hired by Justin Kintzel himself, also accompanied him on stage.

Before the offering was collected, Justin Kintzel was presented with a teenage mutant ninja turtle toy and a Darth Vader toy.

“I am a giant nerd,” Justin Kintzel said. “Those things absolutely appeal to me.”

Laughter filled the room as Justin Kintzel did his Johnnie Moore and Dr. Ed Hinson impersonation — he had the two talking to each other in a comical
conversation.

David Nasser, senior vice president for spiritual development, gave a brief message on the verses just before the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. Nasser emphasized the importance of a sincere and simple prayer. He described worship as “musical prayers” and challenged students to really think about song lyrics.

The evening was filled with songs including “Always” and “Love Displayed.”

“To me, content is heavily important,” Kintzel said. “I always try and focus heavily on what we’re singing and why, and I try to remind those I’m leading why it’s significant.”

Before the last scheduled song, students stretched out their hands and prayed over the Kintzels, asking God to bless them and their new journey. Both Justin Kintzel and Ashley Kintzel became emotional during the prayer, and several hands in the room reached to wipe tears away.

“For this next season, we’re super excited about an opportunity to partner with a church plant in Arvada, Colorado, called Storyline Fellowship,” Kintzel said. “We’re currently packing up our stuff after just selling our house, and we’re headed out soon to help create a worship culture there.”

Justin Kintzel and the campus band sold their CD’s afterward and all the profits went to the Kintzels.

“I’ve gotten so much encouragement and support over the last several weeks,” Justin Kintzel said. “It’s been overwhelming.”

The evening ended on a high note with three encores. The intended last song, “Alive,” shifted the mood to celebration, and many students moved to the front where they jumped, clapped and sang along.

It was not hard for the audience to convince Justin Kintzel to play more music. The students requested “Oh Happy Day.” The room was alive with the upbeat music and coordinating arm movements.

Justin Kintzel then requested the second encore, “Come to the Water,” which, according to him, is one of his favorites to hear the audience sing.

“For a large gathering of believers to sing ‘Let revival come, let the people sing the glory of your name,’ it’s amazing and important, and when we come together and as a body proclaim those things to the Lord in one voice, it’s more significant than I think we even realize,” Justin Kintzel said.

The second encore song led into the third, “How He Loves.” When the song was over, Justin Kintzel slipped away to begin his next chapter of life.

Glossner is a news reporter.

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