Falwell: He Lived What He Preached

I had the privilege of personally knowing Dr. Falwell for several years when I attended Liberty University. I received a work scholarship that required of me, among other things, to call donors and thank them. Through this job, I was able to get a behind the scenes look of a man who was not money-driven but ministry-driven, asking for money only because his vision required great financial expenses. It takes a strong man of moral integrity to handle ministry budgets as large as Dr. Falwell did -- for decades -- and not be corrupted by it. In fact, in the last 73 years we have seen a terrible amount of preachers who have fallen into sin and moral scandals -- but not Dr. Falwell. Though constantly attacked by critics and constantly scrutinized by his own colleagues and students, Dr. Falwell was truly a man who lived what he preached.

There are several occasions where he and I shared some personal experiences. I will always cherish those times -- their impacts on my young life in the ministry were character-forming and wells of wisdom from which I have often drank.

Although for most of the world he will only be known for his political views, I will remember Dr. Falwell for his passionate determination to accomplish that for which God had called him and equipped him to do. I will remember him as an extremely busy minister who found a way to be faithful to his family first, to pastor a church through good times and bad, to be completely devoted to young ministers, and to never waver in his convictions and gospel preaching.

I thank God for gracing His church with Jerry Falwell.