Vernon Brewer, first graduate, encourages outreach — to the ends of the earth

Liberty University’s biannual Global Focus Week continued in Wednesday’s Convocation with Vernon Brewer, Liberty’s first graduate and founder of World Help. He challenged students to become actively involved in reaching the world for Christ, reminding them, “the Great Commission is not an impossible mission.”

Brewer, a regular speaker in Convocation, earned his Bachelor of Science from Liberty in 1973. He served as Liberty’s dean of students and the vice president of Student Development before founding World Help in 1991.

“I think it’s a testament to what this university is all about that our first graduate has started a humanitarian relief organization that gives away tens of millions of dollars’ worth of aid every year to people in need,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said, introducing Brewer to students.

Liberty has partnered with World Help and sponsors several projects worldwide, including ones in Zimbabwe, the Horn of Africa, and Rwanda. Brewer thanked Liberty for its support and showed a video of the practical ways Liberty’s funds, volunteering, activism, and mission trips have made a direct impact.

Brewer gave alarming statistics and examples of human suffering in India and in Syria, where he arrived from his most recent trip abroad. He said 70,000 people die every day without every hearing the Gospel and it is the responsibility of Christians to share the message.

“Our impact is to be both locally and globally, simultaneously, to the needs of the earth, to the end of the age,” Brewer said. “In other words, Jesus is commanding us to go to every distinct ethnic group on the face of the earth and make disciples, Christ followers. He wants everyone to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel at least once in their lifetime.”

Brewer said that the reason Global Focus Week exists at Liberty is because of the famous last words of Jesus Christ found in Acts 1:8: ^“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“This was the plan of God from the beginning of mankind,” Brewer said. “This was why Jesus came to earth. This was why He performed the miracles and died on the cross. It was the most important thing He wanted them to remember.”

The theme for this semester’s Global Focus Week is “Make your Degree Global,” showing Liberty students how they can use their talents, gifts, and passions in every area of study to share the Gospel.

“This university was founded on a vision that Dr. Jerry Falwell (Sr.) had to raise up Champions for Christ in every single area of academic discipline. He had a vision to empower a generation of students to be strategically positioned to share the Gospel with the world,” Brewer said. “I was one of those students. I caught Jerry Falwell’s vision. The reason you are sitting here this morning is because of Jerry Falwell’s vision. I pray today, that you would catch that vision also.”

Brewer urged students to make a difference today.

“We desperately need everyone on the front lines in every profession and on every corner of the globe. Don’t be afraid to pursue the passion and the calling God has uniquely given you.”