Opening Convocation welcomes students as Champions in Liberty’s mission

On Wednesday morning, true to tradition, Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church, kicked off Liberty University’s new Convocation season with an inspiring word for the student body. Liberty’s Acting President Jerry Prevo was also a special guest for the virtual event, which was livestreamed to students who watched from separate areas of campus.

After an introduction from Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser that focused on the many challenges that 2020 has brought and a song from the Worship Collective about “speaking the name” of Jesus during trying times, Prevo welcomed students in his first formal address to the entire student body in his role as acting president.

Prevo was appointed acting president on Aug. 10. He has served on the Liberty University Board of Trustees since 1996 and has been the Board Chairman since 2003. He recently retired as the Senior Pastor of Anchorage Baptist Temple in Anchorage, Alaska, after serving that community for 47 years.

Prevo reminded students that this year is “a new beginning” to reunite with friends and make new ones while joining Liberty in its mission.

“This week we have begun to train you to be a champion,” Prevo told them, “not only in your career but also to be a champion for Jesus Christ. … You are the heart and soul of our university family and our purpose for being here, along with serving the Lord.”

“For almost 50 years this university has been a beacon of light in a world of darkness,” he continued. “And we are very excited to continue our mission for yet another year.”

Prevo addressed former President Jerry Falwell Jr.’s recent resignation and acknowledged his work to build a world-class institution.

In the transition, Prevo said, “I want to reassure our entire Liberty University family that we’re committed to the spiritual and academic mission we began almost 50 years ago. We’re committed to give you the Liberty experience that you’ve heard about so much. …. As we kick off this new year, I want to assure you that you are at the best place on earth to get your academic training and grow in the Lord.”

Jonathan Falwell, who has pastored TRBC since 2007, spoke encouragement into the students.

“The most important thing each and every one of us can recognize is this: God has something incredible in store for each and every one of you,” Falwell said.

Despite the difficulties that the world is traveling through currently, believers in Christ can choose the path of joy and steadfastness, he said.

“We really only have two choices to make. One, we can remain faithful. Two, we can give up, hide, and walk away.”

He motivated students to remain faithful and committed to going into the world to preach the Gospel while following the career passions that the Lord has given them.

Falwell shared wisdom from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 that centered on Paul responding in a godly manner to opposition, a lesson that is relevant for the Church today.

“No matter what it is that we face, as long as we remain faithful, God will use us where we are and who we are and (use) what we do to change the world for the Gospel of Jesus Christ despite what the world might do to stop it,” he said.

People in the New Testament times desired to stop Paul from sharing the Good News of the Gospel, Falwell said, which is similar to how people in the world today may try to hinder Christians from sharing it.

“Take the encouragement from Paul and Silas in this passage (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4) and in those moments say, ‘I’m not going to shut up but I’m going to speak louder.’”

Falwell reminded the student body that they do not have to be in full-time ministry to serve Christ, saying that each conversation is an opportunity to share the life-changing realization that Jesus saves those who acknowledge Him as Lord and put their trust in Him.

“We’ve got to recognize that Paul had every excuse to quit,” Falwell said. “He had every opportunity to run to the beaches and go find a rocking chair and take it easy.”

Instead of giving up, Paul persevered and God used his perseverance to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Falwell implored students to recognize and remember that even though opposition cannot stop impact, giving into temptation can.

“We will never change the world if we change what we believe,” he said.

Falwell warned that focusing primarily on building your own brand is dangerous, but staying true to Paul’s reminders of focusing solely on the Gospel will lead to pure motives, untarnished by the temptation that the world throws at us.

“Don’t give in,” he said. “Don’t allow impurity to destroy your impact.”

Falwell said that the world is not in need of more hypocrites but rather people who are the same on the outside as they are within.

“This place has always been about training young Champions for Christ,” Falwell said. “And as you sit there today, whatever you might be studying, don’t ever forget that you are one of those Champions for Christ and the only thing that will keep you from changing the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is you. Don’t allow your journey to get sidetracked. Don’t allow your journey and your life to fall victim to the noise and the distraction that is everywhere.”

In his conclusion, Falwell left students with a powerful reminder as they begin this semester: “Understand and know this: faithfulness tomorrow begins today.”

Following Falwell’s message, Nasser sat down with Dr. Keith Anderson, executive director of Student Health and Wellness Initiatives at Liberty and head of the university’s COVID-19 task force to share how the university is making every effort to protect and care for the student body while abiding by all regulations.

“We’re champions,” Anderson said. “We’re champions together. We can beat the virus. I remember our founder (Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr.) saying, ‘If it’s Christian, it ought to be better.’ So we’re not just following rules, we’re trying to do the best we can to be a shining light in our community.”

Anderson will be making multiple appearances at Convocations throughout the semester to provide students with updates.

Read the full Campus Operating Plan and view additional information regarding COVID-19 protocols and safety at Liberty.edu/COVID19.