President’s Post: Reflecting on the last three years as your president

Reflecting on the past three years at Liberty University, I’m amazed by our incredible students, world-class faculty, award-winning student athletes and outstanding coaches. Liberty University is filled with dedicated men and women of God who make it all possible. Whether you’re a student, an alumnus, a faculty member or part of our administrative staff, I sincerely want to thank you for all you’ve done to take part in our mission of training Champions for Christ.

I am overwhelmed with joy that the Lord has been faithful and has answered many of our prayers. I hope you know that you’ve been prayed for, and that there are people praying for you right now. I’ve been amazed to see God’s hand at work in the lives of our students across this university and the blessings that he has poured out all along the way, especially for those who have responded this year to the gospel call and have said “yes” to Jesus Christ.

God has given you his word as a light, he has promised you that he has a wonderful plan for your future and he has also set the path of life before you. None of it is possible without Jesus Christ.

Dear student, nothing is more important than knowing Jesus Christ, trusting in his name, reading his word daily, praying for wisdom and guidance, and walking with him. That is what Champions for Christ do.

I am so glad to have had the opportunity to serve you. My absolute favorite part about being president has been interacting with our students. I’ve heard your stories and testimonies, prayed with many of you personally and done my best to encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Over 28,000 residential and online students will graduate from Liberty in less than two weeks. There is no doubt that each of them will begin a new chapter in their lives and careers. Our young students who will be leaving Liberty University’s campus will be faced with many choices ahead. I want to encourage our young students to hold fast to the teachings of God’s word as they venture into life.

Just as I was honored to speak at our final Convocation for the spring semester, I want to leave you with just a few principles to live by. Some might say, “How do I make good choices, and where should I turn?”

The first principle is to trust God’s word as you would a flashlight for each step of the way. The Bible says, “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling,” (Psalm 119:105) and “The opening of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The road of life can be challenging to navigate. Still, it is impossible if you’re stumbling without a flashlight. So, trust God with his word. Read it daily, and he will light each step of the way.

Second, trust God’s plan for you. Sometimes in the difficulty of life, you might wonder, “Does God have a plan and purpose for me?” Yes, he does. If you’ve trusted in Jesus Christ for your salvation, I can guarantee that God has great things in store. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Third, love the Lord and choose life. In Deuteronomy 30:16-19, Moses tells the people of Israel to “love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments.” 

He then says, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your children may live.” This verse still applies to us today. Choosing life is about obeying the call of the gospel, loving Jesus Christ, walking as Jesus walked and keeping his word.

Have you trusted in Christ? God has given you his word as a light, he has promised you that he has a wonderful plan for your future and he has also set the path of life before you. None of it is possible without
Jesus Christ.

Dear student, I want to encourage you to be a true Champion for Christ. Because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we have the opportunity to have eternal life by believing in him. If you will make a decision for Christ, I can promise you that no matter what difficulty you face in life, no matter where you go, you can have complete confidence that God is with you and that he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Trust in Jesus today.

Prevo is the Interim President of Liberty University. Follow him on Twitter