Goodbye, Dr. Falwell, 1933 - 2007

Today,

One of my heroes and the reason i went to Liberty University, Rev. Jerry Falwell, died of an apparent heart attack in his office at Liberty this morning. He was 73 years old. Dr. Falwell founded Thomas Road Baptist Church back in the 50's and grew it to the largest activist church in America. In the 80's, he mobilized millions of Christians to register to vote and helped to sweep President Reagan into power. The Moral Majority was a very influentual political force back then. In 1971, he founded Liberty Baptist College, which became Liberty University. Liberty has become the largest Christian University in the World, with over 22,000 students. Dr. Falwell was an inspiration to me while i was there. He would come and eat lunch with us in the dining hall. He would attend all the sporting events at the college, even the girls softball games. I was priviledged to have 2 incredible men shake my hand as i received my diploma: Dr. Falwell and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Dr. Falwell had the habit of winning over those who once hated him or disagreed with him. After their infamous Supreme Court trial in the 80's, Dr. Falwell on several occassions met with Larry Flynt and they discussed their relationship. I remember seeing Dr. Falwell as a weekly guest on Geraldo's MSNBC show. They were strange bedfellows. These people may not have always seen eye to eye with him, but they always respected him because he was a man of unflinching conviction and integrity. He never wavered in his beliefs.

Now, i know he has made many controversial statements in the past, but for the most part, he was right about most all of them. Dr. Falwell was first a pastor, then an activist. For those who don't know, he started the Liberty Godparent Home, which is a home for unwed pregnant women who do not want to have an abortion and he also started a home for alcoholics. He was a fine Christian man, a wonderful father and grandfather. You will things about him in the coming days, but I hope you'll take it with a grain of salt. I hope i someday can be half the Christian the Jerry Falwell was. Today, he is where he longed to be the most, in the presence of HIS FATHER, the Lord Jesus Christ. How i would love to hear those conversations. The last great man of the 20th Century has left us.

Dr. Falwell, I will miss you. I feel like my grandfather just died. Thank you for all you have done for the cause of Christ and for the inspiration you have given millions of us. Liberty and Lynchburg will never be the same. Today, you are home.