 The late Rev. Jerry Falwell had made plans for his succession in the grooming of two sons who are now taking up the evangelical empire that he had built.
Falwell was a televangelist Baptist preacher who founded and pioneered the Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University. Rev. Falwell was a key force in the organizing of conservative Christians into a political force in the 1980s known as the Moral Majority. With his passing of heart problems at age 73 back on May 15, his mantle was passed on to his two sons, Jonathan Falwell, 41, as the pastor of the 21,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church and Jerry Falwell Jr., 45, as the chancellor of Liberty University.
Jonathan Falwell said, "There's nobody alive that could do what my Dad did." "The first thing I told our congregation when they called me to be their pastor after Dad passed away is, 'Hey, I'm not Dad, and I can't be Dad."‘
Jerry Falwell Jr., holds a University of Virginia law degree, and was Vice Chancellor to Liberty University when his father was still alive said his biggest adjustment he has had to deal with is switching from being behind-the-scenes. Since he is now running the school's business operations he has had to learn how to tie a tie. "I wore khakis and Crocs every day," said Falwell Jr.
As far as political involvement both sons believe their roles as ministry leaders call for them to stay heavily involved, and those around them say the Falwell name still carries a lot of weight especially in Republican circles.
Johnathan Falwell and Jerry Falwell Jr. have been talking to possible Republican presidential candidates to the fact that one of them may be visiting the campus soon. Though some believe the sons will not likely have the influence their father had after he started the Moral Majority in organizing the conservative Christian vote threw the 1980’s which some believed helped to send Ronald Reagan to the White House.
Since the passing of their father, both sons have stayed away from getting into the political culture wars and have stayed focused on the work of building their father’s ministry.
Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. saw Liberty University as offspring for sending the influence of born-again Christians into courtrooms, classrooms, political arenas and more. Jerry Falwell Jr. wants to fulfill and continue his father's goal to make the school he founded in 1971 "the Notre Dame of evangelical Christians."
Liberty University is already one of the largest evangelical Christian colleges in the world, with a 10,500 enrollment and the eventual enrollment goal of 25,000, the school is well on its way and hopefully giving our world a better influence with the Gospel of Christ.
Users' Comments (0) 
|
|
|
