Franklin fills Vines Center

Grammy winner Kirk Franklin brings Gospel music and teaching to Liberty

Nine-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin made his first appearance at Liberty University for Convocation, Feb. 13.

This past weekend was College for a Weekend (CFAW) and Liberty always brings in big-name speakers for Convocation along with a musician or a band for a concert that Friday night. This time around, Franklin was that big-name speaker and that musician.

Franklin is a song writer and producer who, for more than 20 years, has been heavily involved in gospel music. And his music has brought him a large sum of success. The Grammy winner is no stranger to acquiring accolades. In addition to the Grammys, he has won 39 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and eight NAACP Image Awards, just to name a few, according to his website.

Franklin was initially scheduled for the first Convocation in the fall semester of 2014, but due to renovations to the Vines Center, his arrival was postponed. At first, he was only intending on speaking at Convocation. But soon, word spread that Franklin planned to speak and host a concert for Liberty as well.

A semester later, Franklin made his arrival to Liberty, and he was rather impressed with the growing campus.

“Man, I am so blown away by this huge campus,” Franklin said. “This campus is crazy. … I’m very impressed. It’s beautiful.”

He took the stage and began to speak. He told a story about his son’s track team’s relay race. He further explained the premise of a relay and the significance of passing the baton. Franklin’s son’s team was well ahead, but the complacency of the runner resulted in him dropping the baton, which meant the lead was lost. This is where Franklin based a majority of his message.

His premise was that generations prior, whether it was parents or pastors, may have “dropped the baton,” meaning that they have made mistakes that have directly or indirectly affected this generation.

So his message to the students of Liberty, along with the potential students that attended for CFAW, was to progress on in the name of Christ despite their pasts.

It was Franklin’s intention to encourage all in attendance, but he said being at a place surrounded by young men and women praising God encouraged him.

“It is very humbling when you get to come to places like (Liberty) and share what is on your heart,” Franklin said. “Y’all could have anybody at any time. And to have that type of opportunity to do this, it’s big. … What I want more than anything is just for the students to know how rare they are, and to not get discouraged, to not be a part of the majority, but to see the honor (there) is to be part of a community of people that still believes in the inerrancy and truth of the gospel. ”

He then added how hopeful he was to see roughly 13,000 students at Liberty. He said that in his world, he fears that there may be a decline in Christianity throughout culture. But seeing the students of Liberty reminded him of something his wife constantly tells him whenever he gets discouraged about the state of the church.

“(My wife) would always say, ‘Baby, there’s a remnant. There is a core of people that still have not bowed (to the world),’” Franklin said. “And I saw that today. It makes me very proud.”

In an interview after Convocation, his final word of advice to students was simple.

“Be better than me. And not to only learn from my mistakes, but my failures,” Franklin said.

After Convocation, the next item on Franklin’s itinerary was to prepare for the concert, hosted by Student Activities, later that night.

Around 4,000 students, CFAW students and local Virginians poured into the Vines Center as up-and-coming gospel singer Tasha Cobbs prepared to take the stage and open for Franklin.

Cobbs initiated with a couple of her newer songs, but then sang two of her top tracks from her debut EP “Grace.” As she began “For Your Glory” and “Break Every Chain,” the crowd continued to sing along with Cobbs.

After her performance, there was a brief intermission. But soon, the crowd created a loud uproar as Franklin and his band and singers took the stage. He greeted the audience but quickly got the music playing. Franklin performed songs from his award-winning album, “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin.” He also performed songs that he produced in the 2000s.

Soon enough, the Vines Center was ringing with Franklin’s hits. The audience was blessed by his music.

“God’s presence was in the (Vines Center),” Liberty freshman Isaac Shubert III said. “It was supposed to be a concert but quickly turned into worship unto God.”

Shubert added that concerts such as this are reasons why he is happy to be at Liberty. Additionally, high school student Dallas Frazier was encouraged to be surrounded by fellow youth who were praising God.

Some would chalk Franklin’s time on Liberty’s campus up as a success. During Convocation, he delivered a message that led multiple students to go down to the altar and re-dedicate their lives to Christ. He then put on a performance later that night that had people of all ages screaming for more. This was the first time Franklin had been to Liberty, but due to the audience’s response, this probably will not be his last.

HAYWOOD is the asst. sports editor.