Remembering Jerry Falwell

Today is the 2nd anniversary of the death of Jerry Falwell. I can’t believe it’s already been 2 years.

As a Liberty graduate, I remember listening to Dr. Falwell in chapel. I remember hearing so much about how he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church. I probably took for granted that I heard him preach and speak so much.

I know there are a lot of people who didn’t like him. I didn’t agree with everything he did, but I sure do know that he had an impact on me and many other people. I feel privileged to have been able to meet the man and have many fond memories of him.

Some of the things I remember the most are:

• Every year would start with Jerry’s “vision” sermon from Nehemiah.
• Jerry was constantly talking about “raising up young champions for Christ.”
• He was up at 5:45 every morning to study and spend time with God, and he would frequently tell us about what he had read that morning to encourage us to spend time with God daily.
• He built Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University through prayer and hard work.
• Jerry was “one of us” when he crowd surfed at basketball games.
• He would drive around in his big black suburban and ride up on the sidewalk acting like a kid.

Jonathan Falwell has a video up on his site remembering his dad. Check it out here.

(image by: taberandrew on flickr)