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Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell concludes last Convocation of the year with a message on being on mission

During Liberty University’s Friday morning Convocation, Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell delivered a powerful send-off message for the student body as they head into finals beginning next week and many will prepare for traveling around the country and globe for internships and summer employment opportunities.

Friday’s Convocation concluded a semester of services that featured inspirational messages from pastors such as Louie Giglio and Fred Luter, voices from various professions including former Clemson University Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, Christian Music brother-led duo for KING & COUNTRY, and cast members from the popular crowd-funded series “The Chosen” among many others.

Falwell spoke about the university’s mission, Training Champions for Christ.

“I’ve been here since day one, and I had the opportunity and privilege of hearing my dad (Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell) over and over again talk about that concept of (being) Champions for Christ.”

He described four categories of commitment that reveal a true Champion for Christ: commitment to the best resources, commitment to being the best, commitment to the long haul, and commitment to sharing their story.

Falwell said that Scripture, prayer, and the local church are the best resources for Christians to utilize as they pursue a passionate relationship with the Lord. In every challenge and situation, Falwell said the Bible is what we should turn to for guidance.

“I would challenge you today to commit to being in God’s Word every day for the rest of your life,” he said. “Get engaged in the local church. Find a place to be engaged, to be connected, to grow in your faith. Doing this together, praying with one another, studying God’s Word with one another — it’s a vital part of the Christian journey. Make sure that you are a part of the body of Christ.”

While God has gifted people with various talents and interests, Falwell assured the students that they can all seek to “be the best” in each of their respective fields while looking to honor the Lord and share their faith with the communities they are a part of.

Liberty University Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell

“If you’re wearing the badge as a follower of Jesus Christ, make sure that what you’re leaving is a picture of what it means to be a follower of Christ,” he said.

While the world has grown tired of seeing professing Christians say one thing while living out another, a life well-lived for the Lord will be noticeable to those who have been waiting to see a difference.

“What we do not need is people who put the badge on and then go out and do it worse than the world,” he said. “Be your best, live better, live a life that honors Christ, make sure that you recognize that your testimony is important, and realize what you do on a Saturday night is just as important as what you do on a Sunday morning.”

As he transitioned to the third category, committing for the long haul, Falwell explained that his father always believed that it was during the seasons of life that were the most difficult that the Lord demonstrated His strength in amazing ways.

“Never, never, never quit,” he said, repeating what he had often heard his father tell others.

“I would like to see God do His greatest work rather than see me try and figure out how I can do my greatest work,” Falwell added. “I would much rather see what the God of the universe can do than what I can do.”

As he began discussing the final category of commitment, telling ones’ story, Falwell shared the story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 who, upon being healed by Jesus, desired to remain with Him. But Jesus told him to instead go and tell his family and friends what the Savior of the world had done for him.

“You’re going to walk through life and you’re going to see God do some amazing things on your journey,” Falwell said. “But make sure that you never forget that our ultimate calling, our ultimate purpose no matter what career path you walk in, your ultimate calling is simply this: you are to point people to Jesus Christ.”

As the students prepare to leave Lynchburg for the summer, Falwell reminded them to prioritize the mission of Christian living.

“Do not ever forget, no matter how successful you might be, no matter how easy your life might be, no matter how tough your life might be, don’t ever forget what God has called you to do is to tell people about Jesus. Because it’s the only thing that can change their lives and change their eternity.”

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