September 3, 2021 : By Ryan Klinker - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Spread out across the bleachers and field of Williams Stadium, Liberty University students spent the first Convocation of the academic year celebrating the universitys 50 years of Training Champions for Christ and listening to renowned pastor Dr. Tony Evans outline what it means to be a representative of Gods Kingdom in the world today.
Members of the Liberty Worship Collective and LU Praise led a variety of worship songs before a video, narrated by Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, illustrated the God-inspired vision and tremendous growth of the university over the last 50 years. Liberty Campus Pastor Jonathan Falwell then reenforced the idea that the day was a culmination of something his father spoke of when Liberty began in 1971.
What you just saw was talking about vision, a vision that came from the heart of God and was given to the heart of a man, and that man was simply saying, God, here I am, use me, Falwell said. We sit here now today 50 years later and we see what God can do with anyone who says, God, here I am.
Falwell pointed out that while the Convocation was a time to look back at the schools beginnings, it was also a moment to look toward what lies ahead.
We celebrate, this fall, 50 years on this mountain, 50 years of what God has done through Liberty University, and while we take a moment to look back at what God has done in the past, what we really need to be focused on is what God is going to do in the future through you (students), he said. Were excited about what is ahead for Liberty University, but we are more excited about what is ahead for each and every student who is a part of this campus today as they are becoming Champions for Christ in our world today.
He then introduced Evans, who is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas and author ofover 100 books, booklets, and Bible studies.One of his children, Christian recording artist Anthony Evans, graduated from Liberty in 2000, and he has two grandsons who are current students.
Evans began with an analogy that he would carry on throughout his message, using the venue and timely event of Liberty Footballs home opener against Campbell, set for Saturday at 6 p.m., as a demonstration of the clashing teams that gather in todays world every day. In addition to the two football teams that take the field, Evans said a third team would also be present: the referees. Set apart by their striped uniforms and rule books that they follow regardless of what the other teams say, this third team is a representative of the established guidelines of the game.
For three hours there is going to be a conflict on this field. These two teams are going to clash and they are not going to agree. They are going to be headed in two different directions, Evans said. This officiating team will be on the field but they will not be of the field. They will be in the middle of the conflict but not part of the conflict. You are living in a world of conflict racial, political, class, social but what God has called you to do is be a part of His third team, be a part of the crew who do not join the teams on the field, but represent the team up (in Heaven) in the chaos down here.
In the Great Commission, Jesus said, All authority is given unto me on Heaven and on Earth, and Evans explained that because of this, as Christs followers, we have been given Kingdom authority. Just as a football referee has been given a whistle and a yellow flag to show the presence of the league, Christians have been given authority from God to represent Him on Earth.
Jesus also called for his people to make disciples, people who are visible and verbal followers of Christ, and Evans noted the difference between someone who believes in Christ and those who carry their identity in Him and influence the world around them as members of His Kingdom.
Our issue is we have plenty of Christians, but what we dont have is enough disciples people who understand that their whole identity is to be absorbed in their relationship to the risen Christ, Evans said. (A disciple) is not merely a person who is a Christian on their way to Heaven. Its a Christian who has grabbed Heaven, brought it down to Earth, and is living it out as a full-time follower of Jesus Christ.
Applying this idea even further to the lives of Liberty students, Evans outlined how every profession is a different area to be a representative of Christ.
Youre supposed to represent Christ in every sphere of life so that that sphere of life is introduced to your Savior through your expertise, he said. This is what makes Liberty University so great, as you celebrate your 50 years. Young men and young ladies have gone out into every sphere and discipline, not just in church work but in church life, and have manifested the Kingdom of God in the chaos of man.
If we are going to save our culture its got to be folks like you who adopt Heavens view as representatives of Jesus Christ in the marketplace of life, Evans added. I hope that here (at Liberty University) in your 50th year that we dont just have great students and great Christians, but that we wind up with a generation of disciples of Jesus Christ who dont mind other folk knowing where you take your stand.
In the final moments of Convocation, Falwell shared that each Convocation and Campus Community would offer a new insight into what it means to be a Champion for Christ.
Every Convocation, every Campus Community, is going to be an explantation of what it means to be a Champion for Christ, and we want you not to miss any of them.
Read this article:
- Information Overload [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Same-Sex Marriage Gains - Iowa, DC and Vermont [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama and the Muslim World [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nordyke - Incorporation of the Second Amendment to Apply to the States [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama's First 100 Days - Reclaiming the Constitution* [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Education Reform [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Legalize (and Tax) Vice [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama World vs. Cheney World [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- National Rifle Association v. Chicago (McDonald v. Chicago) Oral Arguments* [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Reconciling Liberty and Progressive Government [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama in the Middle East - A Respectful, Rational Voice [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Second Amendment Incorporation Update - Seventh Circuit Decision [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Strong versus Weak Judging [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Drawing the Line on the Obama Administration's National Security Practices [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Supreme Court Amicus Brief in McDonald v. Chicago [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago Amicus Brief - Volokh Conspiracy Link [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Healthcare Reform - Voices of Reason from Senators Wyden & Bennett [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Time to Legalize Drugs - Sensible WaPo Article [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Article in William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal: Rescuing the Fourteenth Amendment Privileges or Immunities Clause [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Just Do It - Obama Needs Backbone for Meaningful Healthcare Reform, a la FDR [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nordyke v. King Rehearing [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Huge News - Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in McDonald v. Chicago re: Privileges or Immunities [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama Needs to Take Stands on Principle [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Kudos to Harry Reid for Including Public Option in Proposed Health Care Bill [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Free Radicals - Individual Efforts Can Change the World [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Destroy the Filibuster [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Petitioner's Brief [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Something on Which We Can All Agree - Less Government in Criminal Justice [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Obama Approach to Governing; Afghanistan Policy [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Law Professors' Amicus Brief [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2009]
- Senate Passes Health Care Insurance Reform - Reflections [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2009]
- "Radicals In Their Own TIme" - Introduction & Selected Excerpts [Last Updated On: January 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2010]
- Terrific WaPo Farewell Column by Ellen Goodman [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2010]
- Same-Sex Marriage Case in California [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2010]
- Health Care; Corporate Speech Case [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Essay in Cardozo Law Review de novo Online Journal [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2010]
- Another Response to Citizens United: Remove Supreme Court Appellate Jurisdiction [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2010]
- Olympics Idealism [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2010]
- Framers Believed in Virtuous (ie, Humane) Government [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Yesterday's Oral Argument [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2010]
- Radicals in Their Own Time: Four Hundred Years of Struggle for Liberty and Equal Justice in America [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago decision [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- OpEd on McDonald v Chicago Case - June/July 2010 [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- New Blog Format [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- New Book - Radicals in Their Own Time [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Liberty Property Trust Hosts First Quarter 2012 Results Conference Call [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2012]
- Liberty Property Trust Announces First Quarter 2012 Results [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Energy Announces Creation of Advisory Board and Appointment of Its First Member [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Tire Recycling, Keep Atlanta Beautiful and City of Atlanta Tire Commission Join Forces for Large-Scale Tire ... [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Bowl set for afternoon kick New Year's Eve [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Bowl Announces Date and Time [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty ship sinking remembered [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Union searching for girls basketball coach [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- How to Do a Liberty - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Review: The "Liberty I" Ultra Compact Compound Bow vs. "Razor Edge" and "Slingbow" - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Heavy Rain in Liberty City: Episode 1 (Grand Theft Auto IV Machinima) - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Jordan Page "Liberty" (Acoustic Version) - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty - Cinematic Trailer - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- China 9 Liberty 37 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Liberty`s Kids: #05 "Midnight Ride" (1/2) - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate Live - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- I Pledge to Join Young Americans for Liberty - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Steve Vai - Liberty - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- North Liberty fire chief: Email blasting staff was meant to motivate [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- FCC dismisses Liberty Media request for control of SiriusXM [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Liberty FCC Request to Control Sirius XM Radio Rejected [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- FCC rejects Liberty Media bid for Sirius XM control [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Liberty Rocket Targets 2015 [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Liberty boosts SiriusXM stake above 45% [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- One Liberty Properties, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Liberty to boost stake in Sirius XM to 45 pct [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- ATK Announces Complete Liberty System to Provide Commercial Crew Access [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Penn Liberty Wealth Advisors Expands [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Romney Woos Evangelicals at Liberty University [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Liberty opener moved to MSG due to hockey game [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Defends Marriage and Faith in Liberty University Speech [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Speaks At Anti-Gay Liberty University Alongside Baptist Billionaire [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Liberty Center girls, Archbold boys reign [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Courts Christian Conservatives at Liberty U [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]