Military Insider: Spring 2026 Bravo Edition
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester
Welcome to the Spring 2026 semester! We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year holidays. The Office of Military Affairs remains available for you when any needs arise. Reach out to us any time you need assistance!
Veterans Center Briefing
The Military Student Briefing for Spring will be held this week in the Veterans Center. Please join us on Wednesday, January 21, or Thursday, January 22, at 3:00 p.m. in the Veterans Center for the latest military education updates, support with your Tuition Assistance, or GI Bill®, and to seek support in any area needed. Light refreshments will be served.
Chaplains Charge
Word of the Day: Personal Courage
Chaplain (MAJ) Brian Harvey
Throughout our lives, we will encounter situations and circumstances that challenge our convictions and test what we believe to be true. In such moments, the pressure to conform or remain silent can feel overwhelming. Sadly, many today are more influenced by cultural voices than by the unchanging truth of God’s Word. In this, we see a crisis, not merely of opinion, but of courage. It is here that 1 Samuel 14:1-23 gives us a vivid picture of godly personal courage.
Israel’s army was facing near defeat. Once numbering over 3,000, they had dwindled to 600, hiding in the hills, demoralized before the vast Philistine force. But in this moment of crisis, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, steps forward. Refusing to be ruled by fear or resignation, he clings to his confidence in the Lord. Together with his armor bearer, Jonathan demonstrates a courage rooted not in self-confidence but in steadfast faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness.
These two men were willing to face death because they knew that “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (v. 6). Their courage wasn’t blind recklessness; it was faithful obedience rooted in trust. And because they acted in dependence on God, He granted them victory. Their faith stirred the hearts of the people, and soon the entire nation rallied. In this, we see that when even one or two stand boldly in truth and trust, God can work powerfully to awaken others.
Authentic leadership, biblical leadership, is courageous, humble, and inspiring. It begins with trust in God’s promises and results in bold, faithful action. Like Jonathan, we are called to resist fear and stand for what is right, even when we stand alone. And when challenges come, do not retreat, press into the Word of God. Let His promises strengthen your heart. Refuse to quit. Refuse to compromise. Refuse to be ruled by fear.
But always remember: this courage is not our own, it is a gift from God, empowered by His Spirit, grounded in His Word, and aimed at His glory. When we act in faith, we may inspire others, but more importantly, we reflect the One who is our true Deliverer.
Therefore, engage the fight with the heart of a warrior who knows his strength is in Christ. Focus on the mission God has given you. Stay rooted in His Word. Stand firm, knowing the Lord goes before you. Never accept defeat. Never quit. Never leave anyone behind.
I am praying for each of you; for strength, for steadfastness, and for the courage that comes from knowing and trusting the Lord.
Chaplain Story
Army Reserve Chaplain (Major, Promotable) Joe Dekreon, pictured with his wife, Diana, and their daughter at Lynchburg City Church’s Easter Service, April 20, 2025.
Educational Background and Current Vocation
Army Reserve Chaplain (Major, Promotable) Joe Dekreon is a 2012 graduate from Liberty Theological Seminary, conferring a Master of Divinity in Military Chaplaincy. Chaplain Dekreon serves as an Army Reserve Brigade Chaplain in Virginia and as the Lead Pastor of Lynchburg City Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Chaplain Dekreon is responsible for overseeing numerous battalion-level chaplains and their ministries to soldiers throughout multiple states on the east coast. He is passionate about mentoring chaplain candidates and younger chaplains under him, preparing them to faithfully serve God and Country as Army Chaplains. As the Lead Pastor and founder of Lynchburg City Church, Chaplain Dekreon shepherds a congregation of around 100, many of which are Liberty University students who love his expository preaching and the church’s focus on gospel-centered community.
Support from Liberty as a Military Student
Chaplain Dekreon served as an Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate while studying at Liberty Theological Seminary from 2009-2012. He found his professors to be incredibly accommodating to his Army drill schedule, which sometimes pulled him away for long weekends as he learned how to care for and minister to soldiers in the Army Reserve context. Chaplain Dekreon also appreciated the mentorship he received from the late Dr. Charlie Davidson, Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy director during Chaplain Dekreon’s seminary days. He credits Dr. Davidson for strengthening God’s call inside him to serve God and Country as an Army Reserve Chaplain.
Prepared and Equipped by Liberty
Chaplain Dekreon found that his seminary Bible courses best equipped him for becoming both a pastor and an Army Chaplain. He believes that whether a seminary student is training to become a pastor, a chaplain, or serving God’s Kingdom in other roles, knowing the Bible thoroughly is the most important way to be an effective minister of God’s Word. Chaplain Dekreon credits Dr. Gary Yates as being incredibly influential in teaching him to love studying the Bible during his time at Liberty Theological Seminary, calling Dr. Yates “a diamond in the rough” and “one of the best exegetical Bible teachers Liberty has ever had.” Chaplain Dekreon is also grateful for Dr. Steven Keith, the current Director of Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy, and the ecclesiastical endorser for Liberty Baptist Fellowship, the group that sponsors Chaplain Dekreon as an Army Chaplain. Chaplain Dekreon deeply appreciates Dr. Keith’s support and mentorship to him both as his chaplaincy endorser and as a supporter of his ministry at Lynchburg City Church.
Pastoring and Chaplaincy in Tandem
Chaplain Dekreon serves in a unique role, shepherding both the souls of his congregation at Lynchburg City Church and those of Army servicemembers who live across the East Coast. Many Army Reserve Chaplains work full-time jobs unrelated to ministry, whereas he shepherds the souls of his congregation daily. Chaplain Dekreon finds that working in full-time ministry helps him better serve the soldiers assigned to him who often seek him out for pastoral counseling and biblical wisdom. He is grateful for the education that Liberty Theological Seminary afforded him and is glad that Liberty is still training future generations of Champions for Christ, 13 years after he graduated from the seminary.
Military Appreciation Month 2024 Recap
Throughout November 2025, Liberty University celebrated Military Appreciation Month, honoring the service and sacrifices of U.S. military members and veterans. Inspired by the vision of Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, this annual observance has grown from a single-day event to a campus-wide, month-long tribute. Throughout November, Liberty University celebrated Military Appreciation Month, honoring the service and sacrifices of U.S. military members and veterans. Inspired by the vision of Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, this annual observance has grown from a single-day event to a campus-wide, month-long tribute. It was the biggest and most collaborative MAM yet, and we are thankful for everyone who participated. Thank you to our veterans within SFS who have given so much to serve our country.
Athletic Events: Military-themed appreciation games across multiple sports energized the campus. Fans cheered for the Flames during volleyball and football games, with patriotic tributes honoring service members, such as the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award during halftime.
Community Engagement: The Mike Donahue Memorial 5-Miler brought the Liberty community together to honor a beloved veteran and showcase support for military families. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross Blood Drive united students and staff in giving back.
Veterans Celebrations: Refreshments were available in the Veterans Center on campus on Veteran’s Day. There was also a special Military Appreciation Convocation featuring a Veteran’s Day Panel with Chadd Wright, Graham Allen, Nick Freitas, and Liberty President Dondi E. Costin. These events highlighted the spiritual legacy of military service.
Signature Events: The Marine Corps’ 250th birthday was commemorated during the Military Appreciation Convocation, with a traditional cake-cutting. The LU Air Force ROTC 24-Hour Vigil honored America’s POW/MIA with a ceremony.
Veterans Appreciation Reception: The month concluded with a heartfelt reception featuring keynote remarks by Major General Bohm, emphasizing Liberty’s ongoing commitment to the veteran community. You can read more about this month’s festivities via the LU News article below!
Thank you to all service members and veterans who participated in the many events during this special month. We are grateful for your service and consider it a true privilege to honor you and your commitment to our country.
You can read more about the month’s festivities via this LU News article.
College for a Weekend
Do you have a son, daughter, family member, or friend interested in attending Liberty University’s on-campus residential program? If so, Liberty University (LU) offers College for a Weekend (CFAW) four times a year to allow prospective students to “test drive” the LU college experience. Our Spring CFAW events will be held on February 19-20 and April 9-10, 2026. For more information or to register for one of these sessions, visit Liberty.edu/CFAW
ROTC Highlight
Did you know Liberty University has an Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)? ROTC provides one way to join the military as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force. The ROTC program at Liberty University (LU) is designed to provide basic military skills along with leadership fundamentals to develop students into confident, competent, and adaptive leaders.
For more information, visit the ROTC web pages on the LU website:
