Many prominent religious, political and sports figures will make their way to Liberty University to speak at Convocation this fall.
Mike Pence, the 48th vice president of the United States, is among those who will attend. The former vice president will speak during Convocation Sept. 14. Pence has visited Liberty twice previously — once to speak at a Convocation in October 2016 and the other to deliver the commencement keynote address in May 2019.
According to the Liberty Office of Communications & Public Engagement, Liberty announced the Convocation schedule during the freshman and new student Convocation Aug. 19.
“Our student body, one of the largest on record, will be able to sample a wide array of Christian leaders who are modeling what it is to be a ‘Champion for Christ’ in their field,” Liberty President Jerry Prevo said.
Another political speaker will be Winsome Sears, the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia and first Black female elected to statewide office. She will speak to the student body Oct. 5.
Students will also hear from anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson. Johnson originally worked as a clinic director for Planned Parenthood before resigning in October 2009 and turning to activism. She has written several books about her experiences, including one that inspired the 2019 movie “Unplanned.”
Two prominent athletes will also speak during Convocation this fall. Former NFL running back Shaun Alexander will speak Sept. 2, and Paralympic champion swimmer Jessica Long will take the stage Nov. 9.
Alexander played football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before playing for both the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins, now known as the Commanders, in the NFL. Long, who according to an NBC Olympics biography was born with “a genetic abnormality which caused her lower legs to develop without fibulas, ankles, heels, and most bones in her feet,” competed in five Paralympic games and has earned 29 medals.
As part of Homecoming weekend, Priscilla Shirer will address the student body Oct. 14. The daughter of megachurch pastor Tony Evans, Shirer has also acted in many Christian movies as well as published several religious books. She, along with her husband, founded “Going Beyond Ministries,” which provides resources and organizes events for believers.
The schedule names many other religious speakers who will address the student body, such as evangelist and author Jay Lowder, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship Greg Laurie and his wife Cathe and Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Zambia.
“Our mission is to ‘Train Champions for Christ’ at LU,” Jonathan Falwell, Liberty’s campus pastor, said. “Therefore, we want every Convocation speaker to be someone who can help fulfill this mission.”
“Our guests this fall will bring great insight, wisdom, biblical truth and encouragement to our students in their spiritual journey,” Falwell said. “We are excited to see what God does through the men and women who will share from the Convocation stage.”
Music guests for this semester include Shane & Shane, the Sean Curran Band and Future of Forestry. Micah Tyler, a Christian musician, kicked off the schedule with worship at the first Convocation Aug. 24.
Speakers for some dates, such as the Convocation during Family Weekend, are yet to be announced. Students can find the full Convocation schedule for this fall on the Liberty Convocation webpage.
“My prayer is that our students will take Christ with them into their profession, wherever they are sent,” Prevo said. “Our Convo guests are just some of the many examples of what it is to serve Christ in all avenues of life.”
KAMMAN is the asst. news editor.