The Convo Connection: Liberty family, friends enjoy summer Convocations on the Road

For the second year, Liberty University’s Office of Spiritual Development has taken Convocation outside campus boundaries and into communities beyond, allowing students, alumni, parents, and residents to experience Liberty’s extraordinary semiweekly staple.

The Liberty Worship Collective joined President Dondi E. Costin and Chancellor Jonathan Falwell for Convocation on the Road at First Baptist Orlando in Florida on June 10 and Liberty Live Church in Hampton, Va., on Wednesday night. Both events included a video narrated by Liberty’s founder, Jerry Falwell Sr., who reminded the crowds that the mission of Liberty University is to equip servant leaders to be Champions for Christ in whatever vocation God has called them to pursue.

In Orlando, Falwell preached from the story of Peter stepping out in faith to walk on water. He also reminded attendees that Liberty continues his father’s legacy of training students through a quality education, with the ultimate purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission.

“No matter what you do, no matter what your future holds, you have a responsibility (to be) a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “So, whether you’re in education or whether you’re in business, whether you’re in medicine or law, or whatever it is, we are all ministers of the Gospel, and that’s what Liberty is all about.”

In Hampton, Costin delivered a message from Haggai 1, where God calls His people to rebuild the Second Temple and renew their commitment to His purposes.

“The people of God had one job, and instead of obeying God, they agreed with the naysayers,” Costin said.

Costin explained that the people of Israel, who recently returned from exile under the decree of King Cyrus, failed to prioritize their mission of rebuilding the Temple — which had been destroyed by the Babylonians years earlier — and instead focused on their own interests. Costin encouraged the audience to remain obedient to God’s calling and to pursue it without delay, just as Jerry Falwell Sr. did when he created Liberty University.

“I am so thankful to God that when Dr. Jerry Falwell was given the vision to build Liberty University in 1971. … I thank God that I stand here today, like all of you, as answers and part of the vision that (God) gave Dr. Falwell.”

The Worship Collective led the congregations in five original worship songs, including “Let me see Jesus / Is He Worthy,” “It Is Well (In the Wilderness),” “Glad Adoration,” and more.

The events also allowed alumni to connect with executives from Liberty’s Development and Alumni Relations Office at the post-event tabling sessions in the foyer, including Executive Director of Alumni Relations Greg Tilley, associate directors Judson Coleman and Jennifer Hill, and Executive Vice President of Development Brian Mentzer.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore local alumni chapters, learn about Online Student Life, and meet representatives from The Journey, Liberty’s radio station; Enrollment Management; Liberty University Online Academy; LU Shepherd; and the Flames Club.

In all, over 2,800 registered for this year’s Convocations on the Road, with the Hampton event bringing in nearly 1,500. Last year’s inaugural Convocation on the Road, which brought together 2,500, was held in Raleigh, N.C., and Dallas.

“To see that Liberty branches out this far, three hours away (in Hampton), is pretty nice. It’s almost comforting a little bit,” said 18-year-old Sean Denmark, who plans to study psychology when he arrives on campus this fall. Denmark said the Hampton event encouraged him to be faithful in whatever calling God has for him. “I wanted to go to a Christian school to stay in my faith and to be taught in my faith.”

For recent graduate Joel Joseph (’26), who received a postgraduate degree in psychiatric mental health through Liberty University Online Programs, attending Convocation on the Road in Hampton felt like stepping on Liberty Mountain.

“The best part of this program is to have the opportunity to ‘be on campus,’” said Joseph, who is using his Liberty degree to help the socially disadvantaged, the homeless and poverty populations, and those struggling with substance abuse. “For me, as a (former) online student, I feel that connection as though I were a residential student.”

Joseph attended Convocation on the Road alongside his five children, the oldest of whom will be attending LUOA in the fall as a high school freshman.

“I can’t quantify what it means to get a degree from Liberty University,” Joseph said. “It’s more than just an educational degree. You tend to get full value for your money, spiritually, physically, and academically. … What I have gotten from Liberty University is to really be able to prepare me for the journey of life, irrespective of the situations I find myself in.”

Alumnus Chris Settembrino (’24), who utilized the GI Bill to study biblical and theological studies through the online program, said Convocation on the Road reminded him of his 2024 Commencement Main Ceremony.

“It made me feel like I was back on that football field again,” he said. “I was in tears on that field, and I was in tears in there today. … It makes me feel good as a father, knowing I might have a legacy student ready to (attend Liberty University) five years down the road.”

Settembrino attended the Hampton event with his son, Jakob, a current middle school student enrolled in LUOA. He said Costin’s message reminded him of his own journey. Settembrino served in the U.S. Army for 20 years but always felt a calling to do more after leaving service. His decision to enroll in Liberty’s online program, he said, was a leap of faith. He said he is now using his degree to be a better witness to his friends at work.

“If there’s anyone questioning whether or not to go to Liberty, obviously pray about it, but like Dr. Costin was saying, don’t sit there and wait,” he said. “Take the initiative and follow what God is telling you to do.”

For alumna Melissa Dimanche (’16), who attended Liberty as a residential student studying worship music and music studies, having Convocation on the Road come to her home church at Liberty Live Church felt like a “full circle moment.”

“Liberty was our training ground,” said Dimanche, who now serves her church as a worship director for the Hampton campus, recruiting, discipling, and planning song sets. “LU was where we were equipped. … We always stayed connected with LU but having them come to the place where we’re essentially sent (was very special).”

Convocation is held on Wednesday and Friday mornings during the academic year and is the largest weekly gathering of Christian students in the world. For more information on Convocation and other Spiritual Development programs at Liberty, visit Liberty.edu/OSD.