Kelsey was crying.
Our family walked along behind a tour guide on our first-ever visit to Liberty University, and Kelsey had stepped off the path. Tears filled her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I stopped next to her and put my hand on her shoulder. Kelsey was 22 at the time, and up until that moment she had thoroughly enjoyed exploring Liberty’s campus. Her brother Tyler was about to be the first of our kids to attend Liberty.
We had just seen the football stadium, just heard how Saturdays in the fall were full of Liberty students decked in red, white, and blue. I guess it all just piled up and now Kelsey looked up at me, her expression pained with regret. “How did I miss this?” She looked around. “Why didn’t we know about Liberty before?”
Suddenly I knew exactly what she meant.
Karen Kingsbury with her daughter, Kelsey.
Kelsey had attended a “Christian” university on the West Coast and the experience was deeply discouraging. Professors headed up underground clubs celebrating topics contrary to Scripture. Her English instructor had insisted that an ‘A’ wasn’t possible without using vulgar language in a short story. Just to keep it current. An artist featured on that West Coast campus talked about how Jesus would be a pot smoker if He were there.
After a single semester, Kelsey transferred to a state school closer to home. What was the point of being at a “Christian” university if the leadership was counter-Christian?
And now, Kelsey was getting a look at what a Christian university should be. That school was and is Liberty University.
Quite simply, there is nothing like it.
The tour continued, and Kelsey pulled herself together. She enjoyed the rest of the day. But time and again she repeated the same words. “I can’t believe I missed this. If kids would only come here and see for themselves!” she said. “They’d never go anywhere else.”
Since then, four of our boys have become Liberty University students. Our youngest son, Austin, will be a freshman in the fall. Since that first time on campus, our family has often discussed the Liberty difference. What sets this university apart? Why is Liberty flourishing when so many schools are failing?
First, Liberty University is real.
Real is the word our family uses as the highest of compliments. Because of my work as a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author and public speaker, I spend a great deal of time with friends in Christian music or publishing. One of my greatest thrills is getting to know the people who God has chosen to share Jesus on a very public level and finding out that they are “real” — meaning they truly love the Lord and live for Him. They’re not perfect, but they are perfectly sold out to our God and Savior.
Their public platform is actually a personal passion.
It’s a beautiful thing.
That’s how it is with Liberty University.
President Jerry Falwell and the people around him who lead this school are real. They love the Lord, they love their staff, and they love the students. It is their heart’s desire to train up Champions for Christ, and to value each student along the way.
I’ve sat in meetings with President Falwell and his team. I’ve heard them talk about making a costly decision because it’s best for the students. I’ve seen them turn down lucrative possibilities because they were not of value to the Christian purpose and mission statement of Liberty University.
Which leads me to another difference at Liberty. The very real faith at the administrative level is mirrored by an equally passionate devotion to Jesus among instructors. With so many of my sons at Liberty, I have had ample opportunity to see faith in action through their professors.
Karen Kingsbury spends time at home with three of her sons, left to right, Sean, Joshua, and Tyler. Sean and Joshua are students at Liberty.
Josh needed to change majors, so he met with his advisor. Not only did the man help him switch to the major Josh wanted, but before Josh left the office, the man prayed with him. “Life can be confusing,” the advisor told Josh. “Let’s ask for the Lord to bless you and give you wisdom as you set out on this new path.”
I could almost hear Kelsey all over again. I can’t believe I missed this.
Liberty professors are the hands and feet of Christ on campus. A business professor assigned one of my boys a lengthy paper. Among the directions was this: “Please incorporate the Christian worldview wherever appropriate.” For a business paper. At a time when even Christian universities are running away from Jesus, Liberty is embracing Him.
Then there are the Bible teachers. Professors like evangelism instructor Dr. David Wheeler, who learns the name of every student in every class. Every semester. He knows if they’re struggling, he knows if they’re confused or bored. He makes it his point to pray over every desk, each student.
Dr. Wheeler tells me there are always young people in his classroom who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. “Sure, their parents believe,” he said. “But they’ve never taken ownership of their faith.” Time and again, kids give their lives to the Lord because of Dr. Wheeler’s class.
The professors aren’t just Christian. They have a real love for God and for their students. Every single professor. Every single student. It really is miraculous. I don’t know how they do it, but as Liberty University has become one of the most prestigious private universities in the nation, this personal touch remains.
It’s the same way at the next level of leadership — the student resident assistants (RA) and prayer leaders for every dorm. These young men and women absolutely know your student. Where struggles arise, your son or daughter is prayed for. If that student doesn’t get involved as easily, these young leaders will personally invite them until the dorm is one big family.
I spoke once to an administrator from another Christian university — one that doesn’t require its professors to have faith in Christ. “We worry,” he said, “that if we ask our instructors to be Christians, we won’t have the strongest teaching staff. We’re mostly Christian.”
Mostly Christian?
See, that’s the thing. So many campuses are fraught with anxiety. Worry. Fear. Compromise. Words you will never hear at a Liberty University administrative meeting.
And maybe that’s the greatest difference, after all.
At Liberty University, from President Falwell to the newest RA, the school operates in faith, not fear. In faith they believe that by keeping Jesus No. 1, and by honoring His Word, God will bless the school. They believe that where reliance on the Lord is complete, His provision will be, also.
President Falwell seeks excellence for Liberty University at every level. Why? Because it brings honor to Jesus Christ. Because he loves the students. Because he believes that if it’s Christian it should be better.
Because he operates in faith, not fear.
My boys love Liberty University. Everything about it. They love having speakers, like Tim Tebow and Ted Cruz, who come through Convocation three times a week. And they love the number of ways they can get involved and make a difference. They look forward to earning a degree from Liberty. It means a great deal to them.
A friend of mine heads up a major Nashville record label. He told me this: “I’d hire a Liberty University grad over anyone else. That’s the caliber of young people they turn out.”
If you’re thinking about sending your son or daughter to Liberty University, let me make it easy for you. There’s no better school on earth. If heaven had a university, it would be Liberty. Come visit the campus and see for yourself. Take the tour. You don’t want to miss out on Liberty University.
Just ask Kelsey.
#1 New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury is America’s favorite storyteller. There are more than 25 million copies of her award-winning books in print. Several of Karen’s books have been made into Hallmark movies, and many more are under development with Roma Downey for The Baxter Family TV series. Karen is a public speaker, appearing at major national events each year. She is also a visiting professor at Liberty University. Karen is married to the love of her life, Don. Together they have an actress daughter, Kelsey, married to Liberty alumnus and Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The couple had their first child this past fall, Hudson, making Karen and Don grandparents. They also have five sons, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. Karen, Don and their family live in Nashville, Tenn.
More from Karen Kingsbury:
Courtesy of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
“A Time to Dance”
Several of Kingsbury’s books have been made into Hallmark movies. The latest release is “A Time to Dance,” starring Jennie Garth and airing in May and June on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel.
“I prayed for a love story that would save marriages, and God gave me ‘A Time to Dance,’” Kingsbury said.
“The Bridge”
Part one of this movie, based on Kingsbury’s novel of the same name, premiered on the Hallmark Channel in December. Part two aired in March.
The movie tells the story of Molly and Ryan, who share a profound friendship during their first semester of college. They spend hours at their favorite bookstore and coffee shop, The Bridge, studying and dreaming about the future. In part two, they reunite seven years later and are reminded of their unspoken love, remembering their dreams of a future together.
The full movie will be available on DVD in time for Christmas.
“Once Upon a Campus”
This short e-series is set on Liberty University’s campus. It features members of the Flanigan family, characters from Kingsbury’s popular Baxter Family novels. The story can be downloaded for free at Liberty.edu/KarenKingsbury.
The Falwell family attended the premiere of “The Bridge: Part 2” in Nashville, Tenn. Left to right: Laura and Wesley Falwell, Becki and President Jerry Falwell, Iris Tilley (Becki’s mother), Karen Kingsbury, actress Faith Ford, Sarah Falwell, Caroline Falwell, and actor Ted McGinley.
