Commencement Main Ceremony | May 12, 7:00PM

[Music] foreign [Music] will you please rise for the graduating class of 2023. [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] laughs foreign [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you right [Music] now foreign [Applause] foreign [Music] thank you laughs [Music] laughs [Music] thank you [Music] foreign thank you [Applause] laughs [Music] thank you thank you thank you thank you [Music] laughs [Music] laughs [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Applause] foreign [Music] thank you foreign foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] nothing foreign [Music] remember [Music] foreign [Music] remember [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] thank you foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you laughs [Music] foreign thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you foreign [Music] thank you [Music] [Applause] thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] thank you [Music] [Applause] thank you [Music] thank you congratulations graduates I want to take this opportunity to say a special well done to each of you whether you're completing an undergraduate degree a master's degree or a doctorate we're so proud of you we know the work that you've put into this The Blood Sweat and Tears the trying and trying again to reach this accomplishment so congratulations more importantly I'm excited to see what this next chapter in your life looks like as God uses you to become a champion for Christ in the area you've been equipped [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] this is a special moment in the history of this University and football program and dating back many many decades Sherry Falwell senior who founded the university this is a vision coming fruition and welcome to SEC country today the 23rd ranked Liberty Flames take on the Arkansas Razorbacks hey this is all we need right here we got everybody we got the people that we need right here to go execute the state let's go with us right here thank you he'll take it he'll score touchdown limited throws Over The Middle come on touchdown goes down to the 30-yard line Mickey pull up three and hits that was at the NIT logo [Applause] cooler is dropped to the end zone it's going to be tempted effective when I but I began Liberty University when I planted the school my dream was a world-class University this Christian School System was to be athletically competing at the highest level in the NCAA tall order but that was my that was my vision [Music] [Applause] oh baby [Applause] [Music] [Music] who kills the body [Music] join us [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] God s [Applause] [Music] [Music] foreign [Applause] [Music] Troubles of the world the Troubles of the world soon I will be done with us [Music] go go today is [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] good morning [Music] [Music] I'm gone to live with God [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] I know [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] if any of our guests would like to sit behind the graduates please feel free to do so at this time thank you welcome to Liberty University we're glad you're here [Music] thank you God I thank you for these students God I pray there because of the work that you are going to do in and through them that they would change the world as a result of being a champion for Christ Liberty 41 BYU 14. please welcome head coach Jamie Chadwell [Applause] foreign [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign foreign [Music] hahaha [Music] no no no no no no no no thank you [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] nothing anything [Applause] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] Champions are not born made crafted by decisions choices and moments moments too numerous to count but when pieced together they Define one's future what will you do with yours the legacy of Liberty Mountain is no different when these grounds were dirt and Sky the vision of being one of the most prominent Christian Schools seemed impossible but through prayer and God's grace this mountain is a testament to what is possible through him and now Liberty continues its purpose training champions for Christ [Music] with this purpose comes the responsibility to provide students with the knowledge and skill to go out into the world and make a difference for Christ our faculty and staff share the same unified commitment to training future champions and their guidance and wisdom lead our students to be the best they can be and reach the world for Christ our reach extends far beyond our campus to all parts of the world what once started as VHS tapes and mailed in assignments in the 80s has become one of the world's largest online learning platforms bringing a gospel-centered education to all individuals regardless of their location or stage of life to reach their goals here growth doesn't happen only in academics but in all areas of college life we provide moments for students to be a part of something bigger poured into by spiritual leaders to participate in the community grow in relationships and support each other we spend time together in worship and focusing on Christ because he is the reason behind all we do these moments extend to everything we do from dorm life to intramural sports fitness facilities Live Events and even the meals we share our Flames burn brightest on the athletic field competing against some of the toughest opponents on the national level through dedication and discipline we push ourselves past our limits and continue to rise on the national sports stage every play made and every Victory achieved every Big Moment made by our Athletics is used to show the world that we compete to bring glory to a name greater than our own we believe there's value in these big moments in high-end classrooms athletic fields campus-wide events and world-renowned speakers who visit these things matter but it's also the small moments you choose the friends you surround yourself with the extra hours you study early mornings to late nights and the daily prayers these moments are what make a champion Champions are not born they're made of moments the question is what will you do with yours [Music] my eyes [Music] [Music] he is Lord Jesus Christ [Music] Jesus Christ [Music] [Music] [Applause] Jesus Christ [Music] King Jesus Christ [Music] [Applause] no my eyes [Applause] [Music] [Music] Jesus Christ so much [Music] [Music] oh God [Music] [Applause] laughs how are you congrats [Music] [Applause] [Music] baby all the way down [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] welcome to me [Music] [Music] we are going away [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] what's up does education mean a room with four walls a desk and a PowerPoint lecture or is it something bigger what if it's the people beside you one chair away or one ocean away what if it's the chance to learn from your mistakes as well as your victories and the push to keep going either way what if it's the freedom to reach for bigger things without missing the little ones in between for each of us education looks a bit different [Music] for all of us that's Liberty to us former Liberty video [Music] thank you foreign [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] thank you if all of the graduates would find their seats and everyone else find your seats the grand procession will begin shortly some come for the crowd the team the community or the Love of the Game others are game changers here to fulfill their dream of impacting the world we are here to help every student reach their goals by providing Advanced learning moving worship competitive Athletics and an enriching social network one thing is certain as our campus grows so does our passion for the things that truly matter we remain strong in our commitment to deliver a premier Christian education to more than 125 000 students around the globe Liberty offers over 700 academic programs including nursing Aviation cinematic Arts Seminary and law our combination of Hands-On learning and dedicated faculty enable students to graduate job ready no matter what program they choose our thriving online community is no exception we want to help distance learning students at a graduation cap to the many hats they wear allowing them to be a part of our family without leaving theirs Liberty's campus is alive with the heartbeat of true Faith here professors are mentors classmates are worship leaders and teammates are family members speakers from all walks of life address one of the largest Christian gatherings in the nation challenging students to grow in many different ways Liberty's vibrant spiritual life ignites students with a passion for the gospel our athletes compete at the highest Collegiate level with 20 NCAA division one teams the Liberty Flames have captured more than 150 Conference titles and their intensity continues to light up the playing field a thriving club sports and intramural program also provides plenty of opportunities to be a part of the team but social life is not limited to the confines of our stadiums whether it's a world-class musical concert or a professional theatrical performance there are many ways to take a study break with friends we have over seven thousand acres of campus to explore and encourage students to test their limits with hiking biking and shredding the slopes at Liberty Mountain snowflex Center our campus continues to develop as we build the framework for an exciting future we are striving to remain on The Cutting Edge of higher education as the our mission Remains the Same we always have and always will be training champions for Christ you might have heard some things about Liberty University like how we're just a little Christian School in the middle of nowhere and there's nothing to do here I mean come on you bored boring yeah they say we don't work as hard think is hard try us hard I object the truth is well we might surprise you ladies and gentlemen will you please rise for the grand processional led by our co-founder Dr Elmer towns [Music] laughs [Music] foreign [Music] what's happening foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] I don't know [Music] thank you [Music] thank you hello hello [Music] nothing [Music] thank you [Music] thank you thank you [Music] thank you foreign [Music] laughs [Music] thank you thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] laughs [Music] thank you thank you thank you foreign [Music] you may be seated [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] I'm crazy [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] together foreign [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] walking along sisters [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] don't never gonna walk please [Music] [Music] [Music] the Lord will see me [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] but the Lord [Applause] you know I went to a Christian High School and the sounds of Liberty actually came to our school on one of their tours and they came and sang and I heard about this amazing place that was a real University that wasn't just a bible school it had that component to it and once I saw Liberty there was no other place for me because I knew that it was a place that would feed my faith but would also give me a chance to study and to grow and get a great education and that business degree has taught me so much and given me so much of a foundation for everything else that I do and I understand about how our economy works and I'm really grateful for that this place is not the same place as when I was here because we did not have these buildings in these dorms and these programs and all of the beautiful things that are here and Dr Falwell was here when I was on campus and would talk about his vision for all those things and it seems so big and so unbelievable but he clearly believed it and God had shown him what this place would be and I think all the time about whether he sees the progress and the Beautiful things that are happening here on campus but I know and I think about the 50 years ahead that he would never want it to be about buildings or Sports programs or anything else if we lose the focus which is to glorify God and leave here to share the gospel so while I hope all of our technology and our programs and our reach expands the one thing I hope does not ever change is the mission and commitment of the school [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] so when I was in high school growing up in Phoenix I came by myself on Sea Fall college for a weekend and I came here and stayed in the dorms and was like what is this this is amazing whatever this is I want to be a part of it so I brought my demo tape here to Liberty in the broadcasting Department I don't even know if it was a full Department yet hired me to cover all the men's and women's basketball games and all the football games and everything kind of took off from there it's where I got all my experience where I figured out the industry and fell in love with it and more than any of that just fell in love with this campus and the people here okay friends from all over and they're different kinds of people but there was this shared like-mindedness that we all knew we were coming here yes to get an education but to figure out our identity in Christ I had a fear when I first got a job offer at Fox while I was still in school I didn't know what that was going to mean for my education and when they talked to me about Liberty online these were still some of the early years of that and they were like no go chase your dream this is an awesome opportunity we'll support you however we can I mean and I would be working on online courses sitting in the back of a car driving to a football game where I was about to broadcast for Fox and so finishing online was such a gift to me I can say this for sure this is a place where they care about the whole person and you can tell there's a focus on excellence and for me that's what I wanted I didn't want to be just great at work or just great at home or just great in my spiritual life I wanted all those things to come together and it was a really special time and I felt like I got a lot of support in those efforts thank you [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] Liberty University making an impact for Christ doesn't wait until you graduate because here we get out there and step into our community with our sleeves rolled up so what does that look like every year our students join together to serve those in need whether close to home or far away and share the hope of Christ at Liberty you'll find meaningful opportunities to make an impact with your gifts and talents however God has called you [Music] you might have heard some things about Liberty University like how we're just a little Christian School in the middle of nowhere and there's nothing to do here I mean come on you know us four boring yeah they say we don't work as hard think is hard try us hard I object the truth is well we might surprise you this moment is the reason Liberty exists you graduates are the reason Liberty has stood for over 50 years preparing the Next Generation for their calling but our campus facilities and programs only enhance the talent within them your drive and vision for what could be is what got you here today Liberty has and always will be about training champions for Christ but Liberty can only do the training it's up to you to be the champions in the workplace at home or wherever God calls you knowing it's not about personal Victory but surrendering to a higher call so wherever you go work for the glory of Christ this is the beginning of a new season and it starts here commencement 2023 good evening everyone welcome to Liberty University and we're so glad you came out to celebrate this awesome day listen there's no better way to kick off this evening than with some worship so can you stand with us today and let's celebrate all the great things that the Lord has done you guys ready come on let's sing this all together come let us worship our King yeah come let us bow and his feet oh he has done great things see what our savior is done see how his love overcomes oh he has done great things oh he has done great things [Music] recap and break every chain oh God come on we dance in your freedoms oh Jesus I'll save you your name lifted high oh God you have done great [Music] yeah come on check it out sing you've been faithful through every storm don't be faithful forever [Music] yeah and I know you will do it again for your promises [Music] [Music] all right well Jesus our savior your name lifted high oh God you 've done great he has done crazy [Music] [Applause] every he has done [Music] [Music] [Music] come on anybody believe that tonight yeah sing Hallelujah [Music] together behind you come on let's lift it up one more time [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] wake up break it break it you're free [Music] days [Music] amen amen we testify this greatness in this place tonight we worship you Jesus for who you are and for what you've done come on let's continue to sing together tonight [Music] Into the Night to the darkness your loving highness of my soul oh Jesus Christ yeah [Music] [Music] this grace the god of Ages would step down from Glory into where my spin fell by shame the cross has spoken I am forgiven cause the King of Kings calls me is his very own so beautiful savior I'm yours forever oh Jesus Christ [Music] hallelujah praise the one who set me free reaching with salvation in your name Jesus Christ your salvation in your name Jesus Christ it's our hope today we sing [Music] [Music] yeah and out of the silence [Music] it began to break [Music] [Music] praise [Music] [Music] this salvation in your name what Jesus Christ [Music] [Music] oh Jesus Christ [Music] in this place tonight let's pray together heavenly father today we come to this place with expected hearts not so much about what happens this evening but rather what happens in the days months and years to come through all of the graduates who are walking out of this institution as champions for Christ God we know that you have a plan for them the Bible very clearly lays out that you have ordered their steps and so God we pray that whatever those steps might look like Lord we pray that you would go ahead that you would prepare the way and that you use each and every one of them to bring the truth and the hope that is found in Christ in Christ alone to a world that so desperately needs it we live in a time today where there is Darkness everywhere and we know that the only hope that can be found is through the fact that you loved us so very much that you sent your son Jesus Christ to come to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and that he was buried and that three days later he rose again victoriously over sin as Satan and the grave and through believing in him according to your word we have life forgiveness freedom and salvation and it's found in Christ Our Living Hope and so God I pray that today that you would bless our time together that you would make this a moment where the only name that has lifted up The Only Name That is celebrated because the only name that is worthy of our praise is the name of your precious son and our precious Savior Jesus Christ and it's in his name we pray tonight amen would you remain standing as Cadet Dale Nordstrom comes and leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance these rise for the Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all [Music] oh say can you see by the dawn's early light what's so proudly we have healed at the twilight's Alaska gleaming who's brought stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight or the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming in the rockets red gray the bombs bursting in air gay brewed through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yeah babe or the land of the free and the whole month [Applause] you may be seated well tonight we come together to celebrate a milestone in the lives of 28 plus thousand graduates of Liberty University and we had the opportunity and the privilege of celebrating with each and every one of you that are gathered here on this field for all the achievements and the accomplishments that you have made to this point but we recognize more importantly that the days ahead are far more important and what you do through your life and through your ministry as champions for Christ is what this University is all about going all the way back to 1971 it has always been about training champions for Christ and nothing has changed and it never will that is who Liberty University is today and so we celebrate with you we Rejoice with you and tonight's going to be a special night and I know that parents and grandparents are proud throughout all of this Stadium tonight in fact I am a parent of my son Jonathan Jr graduating with two master's degrees tonight which means he's way smarter than I am and I know there are lots of parents and grandparents that are celebrating in that same way tonight and we Rejoice with you but we also recognize tonight that we want to celebrate someone else and we want to celebrate someone who for the last two and a half years has been a stalwart leader on this campus someone who has made an indelible mark on what Liberty University has been and is and will forever be and so tonight what I would like for you to do is to take a moment as we honor Dr Jerry Prevo and his dear wife Carol Prevost I would like for you to watch this video hey glad you're here [Music] football baby [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] have a good time thanks for coming would you join with me in saying thank you to Dr and Mrs Jerry Prevo 67 years ago my dad started Thomas Road Baptist Church and in the weeks following the planting of that little local church with 35 adults he was driving around this community trying to find a place that that church could begin to meet on a regular basis having met in a local school he drove around with one of our deacons and he was trying to find a place where that we could call home and so back in 1956 in the summer of June 1956 he drove around this town he'd found himself in the parking lot of an old dilapidated building one that had been grown over that had long been shut down he pulled into that parking lot and he got out of the car and he walked up to the window and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and began to wipe the dirt and the mud away from that window and that Deacon told me years ago that as my dad wiped away the dirt from that window of a little 30 by 50 building that he looked inside of that window of that building he said we're going to change the world from right here here we are now 67 years later and I think clearly what God began in June of 1956 is something that even today continues to make an impact around the world but it all started in that little 30 by 50 building which was called the Donald Duck bottling plant and so tonight what we would like to do because Dr Prevo has been such an important part of this University going back for many many years serving On The Board of Trustees the last two and a half years serving as our president that I thought maybe we could go back to those earliest of days and to say thank you to him by just saying thank you for helping us keep the vision alive and so we have an original bottle that came from that plant 67 years ago and it's a Donald Duck bottle and it just simply says to Dr Jerry Prevo thank you for helping us keep the vision alive of training champions for Christ May the 12th 2023. [Applause] and I'd like to take the opportunity of inviting our board chairman and the chairman of our executive committee here the Board of Trustees at Liberty University Dr Tim Lee and Carol Hudson to come and Tim also would like to honor Dr Prevost today all right thank you Chancellor Jonathan Falwell and for those of you that are visiting uh here the for the first time we call this Liberty Mountain but it could very well be called Miracle Mountain as over the past five decades plus we've seen Miracle after Miracle after Miracle perform here on this mountain a couple of years ago two and a half three years ago we came to a Crossroads a perilous time for the University and we needed another miracle and God sent a miracle to Liberty University and the person of Dr Jerry Prevo we needed a leader we needed someone with compassion that would be strong and a firm hand and that we would not make a wrong turn but we would stay the direction that our founder Dr Jerry Falwell senior intended for us to be for all these years Dr Jerry Prevo has done a miraculous job here for the last almost three years he's been a dear friend of mine for over 40 years and I'm so grateful that God brought him to a time to a place that we needed him here at Liberty University we have a an award that we want to present to Dr Prevost tonight from our Board of Trustees just turn around this way right here if you would Jonathan and my trustee Carol Hudson joining me here Liberty University be known that Jerry Prevo having answered the call by accepting the appointment to act as interim president of Liberty University in 2020 after having consistently served on its Board of Trustees since 1982 and for many years as its chairman and having Faithfully executed the duties of the president in difficult times by ensuring Liberty University to remain true to its founding mission of training champions for Christ for worldwide service in any field thereby receiving the deepest love and undying admiration of students parents faculty staff and alumni and upon successfully reaching the conclusion of his term of service passing the Baton of presidential leadership to his successor by the power vested in the Board of Trustees of Liberty University and by their unanimous vote he is appointed to be president emeritus of Liberty University on the first day of July 2023 and is thereupon entitled all the rights and privileges there of pertaining presented this 12th day of May 2023 in Lynchburg Virginia signed by Carol Hudson the executive committee chairman Chancellor Jonathan Falwell and myself Dr Prevost Your Love here on Liberty Mountain thank you thank you so now would you join me in welcoming president Jerry Prevo to the podium tonight thank you very much I'm humble tonight by all of the things that have been said and remind me afterwards gentlemen and I'll pay you for all the good words you said about me tonight but it's a joy to be here on this 2023 graduation service and it's been a great ride for us and I want to thank Pastor Falwell tonight for assuming a position that we needed here at Liberty University because the trustees of Liberty University believe that Pastor Falwell was the best qualified person they have named him Chancellor of Liberty University over all spiritual Affairs let's show him that we're glad he's accepted this position thank you buddy I'm happy tonight to announce after a seven month search by our Trustees of Liberty University believing that they have found the best qualified person to become the next president of our great University Dr Dante costen who will assume the office July 1st let's give him a welcome right now with all this graduating classes he'll be coming to join us on July 1st now for the almost the last three years we've been blessed to serve as interim pastor Carol and I have enjoyed it very very much Carol would you please stand my wife's down here she doesn't like to stand come on stand up I thought I was going to have to say obey me at least once but get her to stand we've had the opportunity to go and meet students we chose to live right here in the middle of the campus so that we could walk out and greet you and meet you and that led really to the snowball fight that we had the first year that I was here and we had a great time with that but we've we've been able to beat you learn your name and where you're from and your Ambitions and your dreams for the future and I must tell you that you are an extraordinary group exciting group of students and I believe you're going to be World Changers as you leave this place this place where we have been trying to train you to be a champion for Christ and as I have talked with many of you I believe we've been successful in doing that and so graduates as you leave Liberty with your diploma in hand you're going to be moving on to make your dreams come true as champions for Christ and I know that you're going to be successful God has continued to bless Liberty University in a big way we've had record enrollment here for the last two years and today we're conferring conferring more than 28 000 degrees which is the largest number in our history now not all graduates could be with us tonight for various reasons so they're watching online and we want to welcome those who are watching online I know you would have liked to have been here but circumstances did not permit it under construction is a new dining hall we're told by a national firm that there's no dining hall like it in the country we serve over 30 000 meals a day how would you like to be a cook for that because of God's blessings we're having to build another dormitory in convo I told the students I said we're we're going to build a seven-story parking garage we're building a new dormitory we're building a the Jerry Falwell Center we're building a new uh dining hall and all of those things do you know what I got the biggest Applause for that's right when I announced we're building a parking garage it came apart I thought it'd be the dining hall but it was the parking garage now it's great tonight for me to look out and see all of you parents and grandparents and relatives of of our graduates here and I'd like for all of the parents and grandparents that are here tonight you have someone graduating would you please stand up all over the stadium tonight now graduates I would like for you to find your parents and your grandparents and I want you to give them a big hand of appreciation for their love and their support all of these years [Applause] thank you I'd like for the all the mothers to remain standing or to stand I want to get a head start on this coming Sunday what is this coming Sunday Mother's Day all right all the mothers stand would you please and look around I'm going to count to three and on three I want you to just say Happy Mother's Day you say Jerry this is not Mother's Day we're getting a head start on it okay I'm also reminding all of you to remember what Sunday is so I want you to wish all of these mothers a happy Mother's Day I want you to shout it out one two three great thank you mothers God bless you let me tell you something about our graduates we have 6 500 graduating with honors 4070 are graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average that must have been them because if you weren't one of them I don't think you'd be hollering like that but I heard a student say I'm exceptional even though I'm not graduating with honors and I said well what do you mean you're not you're exceptional why are you exceptional and he said nobody ever expected me to graduate from college and here I am tonight graduating that makes me exceptional I'm especially proud tonight for all of our students for their willingness to serve a couple of weeks ago we had what we call serve Lynchburg here in our town over 1300 of our students participated in going to about 90 different sites to help people in our city our mayor joined some of them and she called our students amazing hundreds of our students have gone to help with disaster relief in Georgia Florida and Kentucky with part and partnering with Samaritan purse a wonderful relief organization led by our keynote speaker tonight Franklin Graham how many of you participated in that some way or another we want to thank you for doing that over 1500 students packed over 270 meals that were going to be sent to Ukrainian people that were desperate for food desperate for place to stay desperate for somebody to care about them we're proud to nine of our 40 000 military Affiliated students who are now who are now serving to protect our country almost six thousand military Affiliated students are graduating today let's express our appreciation for their service to our country yes something else about our students our student athletes have won many conference championships our women's hockey team won the national championship for the sixth time academically our students are being trained so well they're in demand by employees our debate team won a national tournament let's give them a big hand would you please now we'd like to direct your attention to the empty chair on the front row tonight we're awarding 11 posthumous degrees family members please know that your Liberty family is sorry for your loss and loves you and is praying for you and let's just pause for a minute there's those names are being shown on the big screen dear Lord tonight we know that hearts are heavy of moms and dads and brothers and sisters and Lord you know all about things Comfort their hearts Lord give them Direction and guidance assure them that they'll understand things better by and by in your name we pray and ask these things amen God's blessings continue to flow here on Liberty Mountain for the first time ever between our online students the residential students we have a record of over a hundred and thirty thousand students why are enrollment records being broken here at Liberty University I think simply stated more families are looking for a university that has an unwavering commitment to its biblical foundation and Mission and does not apologize for its biblical stand on social issues some were thinking Liberty may be chaining changing and departing from its biblical Mission but I can assure you it is not changing and as Chancellor Falwell said it's not going to change if we have anything to do with it great University now I've been telling you about many of the great things about Liberty University we've got some great things but we're a Christian University and I tonight would be remiss if I did not tell you about our great God a God that so loved this world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life why do we need to believe in Jesus we need to believe in him because Romans 3 23 says that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God you see my dad never went to church except two or three times and this story is going to explain to you why I'm kindly deviating tonight with my remarks my dad went to church two or three times but after that my wife and I got married in a church and he would not come to our wedding because it was in a church but prior to that my dad did go to the church a couple of times in my prayer because I'd gotten saved early in life my prayer was I hope the preacher will preach the gospel I hope that he'll give a clear presentation and I hope to pray that my dad will get saved because I want him to go to heaven and I want to be with him forever and ever because he was a good dad dad except maybe when he was drinking that preacher gave a good gospel presentation but he never called for a decision he never said would you like to receive Christ to that would you like to be saved would you like to repent of your sins and be born again so you can go to heaven one day instead of that awful place that Jesus talked about more than he talked about heaven that awful place called hell my dad went to a church another time and the pastor didn't even mention the Plan of Salvation there was quite a few people there and surely somebody was there was lost now tonight because I promised some students one time I said listen if you ever get mom your mom and dad together brother sister I'm not going to fail you because some of you tonight have a mom you have a dad you have a brother a sister or grandparent they're not saved they've you want them to get saved you want them to go to heaven one day you want to spend eternity with them and so tonight I just want to do what I prayed that a pastor would do when my dad went to church why do we need to be saved we need to be saved because Romans 3 23 says that we've all sinned and come short of the glory of God all means what means all we've sinned and we've come short of God's glory but it's fine to that Romans 5 8 says but God commendeth he showeth his love to us and that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us but Romans 6 23 there's some bad news but there's some good news Romans 6 23 says that the wages of sin is death there's two kinds of death there's physical death when we go to the funeral home and we look at the body of our loved one they're missing they're gone they're separated from their body the Bible says there's a second death and that second death is separation from God forever and ever in that awful place called hell the good news is this the gift of God is eternal life now what is a gift a gift is something that somebody else buys and pays for and says here I want to give this to you in order for it to be yours you have to be willing to receive it the only reason that a man woman boy or girl will ever die and go to hell is because they refuse to accept the gift of God which is eternal life which is getting saved Romans 10 9 says that thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead thou shall be what does it say thou shall be what saved for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation it's not the works of righteousness which we have done but it's according to his Mercy that he saves us Mom Dad brother sister grandfather grandmother the greatest gift you could give to your graduate tonight if you're not saved the greatest gift you could give to them is to get saved tonight and tell them a little bit later to your graduate to your son to your daughter your brother your sister I got saved tonight I'm going to spend eternity with you one day I'm going to do what a pastor didn't do when I had prayed that he would do he gave you a clear presentation of the Gospel but he didn't give people an opportunity and tell them how they could receive Jesus Christ as their savior you say how do you do that the Bible says in Romans 10 13 he just makes it real simple for an old country boy like me he says for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved now you might say to me Jerry you don't know what kind of Sinner I am you don't know the awful things that I have done no I don't know but I do know one thing whosoever means you it means you it means you regardless of what you've done it means you whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved how do you do that you do that by praying a little simple prayer like this dear God I realize I've sinned and come short of your glory I ask you to forgive me of my sins I Repent of my sins I ask you to come into my life because I believe that you rose from the dead and you know the thing that causes me to be a Christian is there's a lot of other religious teachers and leaders all of them taught all of them lived all of them died neither one of them came back to life except Jesus Christ the son of God that's why I'm a Believer in Jesus I'm going to give you an opportunity that that Pastor did not give my dad I'm going to give you an opportunity tonight as the holy spirit is speaking to your heart you know you needed to be saved you just haven't done it yet you've been putting it off you've been wondering will God forgive me and save me he said whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved let's bow our heads together as our heads are bowed right there where you're sitting you may not want to pray aloud you can but you can pray in your mind with your heart and I'm going to lead you in a little simple prayer like this dear God I realize I've sinned and come short of your glory I ask you to forgive me I ask you to come into my life and be my savior Lord I ask you to come into my life and change me save me and take me to heaven when I die now if you prayed that prayer and you've been at the best you knew how while everybody else keeps their heads bowed I want you to look right here at me the reason I want you to look here at me is because I'm holding up the Bible God's holy word and it says for whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved did you call upon him tonight did you call upon Him believing that he is the savior that he died that he rose again that he'll forgive you and you ask him to come into your life to save you change you and take you to heaven That's What God Says if you called upon the name of the Lord tonight I want you to do something I want you before this night is over to tell somebody that you got saved because the Bible says if we confess with our mouth now I don't know but if you're not willing to tell somebody else that you got saved tonight I'm not sure you did that's up to you did you really mean it and the greatest gift that you could give to your graduate tonight would be to come up to them and say listen I got saved tonight I'm going to heaven with you one day dear Lord tonight we pray for these that prayed repented of their sins in prayer tonight and called upon you and accepted you in your name we pray if you're happy for all those tonight that accepted Christ let's give them a big hand would you please [Applause] now in closing I'd just like to share some words of wisdom that have helped me is on my journey of my personal life and my professional life first never stop learning education is just not a one-time event that ends with graduation it's a lifelong Pursuit so never stop learning number two be adaptable life is unpredictable and things will not always go as planned so that your ability and willingness to adjust your course is very crucial crucial to success number three be kind be kind this world can be tough and harsh place for people be kind to others the rewards are immeasurable fourth never give up life's not easy success is not always guaranteed but persistence will take you a long way persevere through the tough times and then last remember your purpose as a Believer and follower of Jesus Christ you're not here on Earth to pursue an ordinary career but to pursue a career as a champion for Christ to make a difference for the kingdom of God and as I have observed you as I have walked with you around this campus as I have seen you having Bible studies and gathering together to have prayer together as I've seen you worshiping the Lord in convo I have no doubt you'll make a difference for the kingdom of God now as you embark on this new chapter of your life it may seem to be a little scary but remember what God told these people in Jeremiah 29 11. he said for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord their plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope congratulations candidate and God bless you as you leave and go out to The World To Be A Champion for Christ [Applause] we want to share a song with you guys that just commemorates all the great things that the Lord has done as over the years have we seen this University just become this great place that we've been putting our trust and our faith in our God that never fails never moves and he's never shaken so we want you to join with us as we sing this next song [Music] [Applause] [Music] just singing in his holy words [Music] [Music] oh my God [Music] [Music] we've done this just the other day I heard the man say he didn't believe in God's word but I can truly say that the Lord has made it was never found here [Applause] [Music] [Music] can't turn around [Music] [Music] yeah we're singing [Music] [Applause] great thank you very very much we're going to hear from them again I hope well in a moment we're going to be able to hear from our guest speaker tonight my friend Franklin Graham we've been friends for a number of years and I'm so glad that it could come he's been in Flight Training re recertification as a pilot this week and when I called him he said Jerry he said man I'm going to be five days this week in getting re-certified to fly the jet and he said I don't know if I'll have time to get to Liberty University and I said are you my friend he said well yeah I said well you get here so he's gotten here he's here tonight we're going to hear from him but I want to share a little about him the Grimm family has been a long time supporter and and Faithful Friends to Liberty University Franklin is the president and CEO of Samaritan purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in these roles he's dedicated his life to serving those in need and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through his work with Samaritan purse Franklin has been instrumental in helping those impacted by disasters such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and then it when there's earthquakes even here in the United States he has always responded I heard one of our presidents say this he said Franklin how in the world do you always beat me to a disaster area meaning that Samaritan person Franklin Graham is right there on the spot even before the president who wanted to get there could not get there that quick Franklin's Been instrumental in helping those impacted by disasters over the four over past 45 years they've helped people in over 107 countries and as a part of his ministry with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Franklin has led more than 320 25 outreaches to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and give people an opportunity to be saved on a regular basis he defends biblical perspectives on moral and social issues and additionally he encourages Believers to send for biblical values to make an impact in the world and who better to challenge you all as you enter the next chapter of your life than a man who lives as a champion for Christ ever day Franklin Graham you're a true champion for Christ and at this time we'd like to present you with an honorary doctorate degree Chancellor Falwell Provo sticks would you come and join me here and tonight by the powers that are vested in Me by the trustee Board of Liberty University tonight we confer upon you the honorary doctor of divinity degree to show our appreciation and our respect and our encouragement to you to keep on doing the things you've been doing for all of these years so God bless you and thank you amen let's get a picture together [Applause] right now let's welcome Franklin Graham as it comes to challenge us tonight as our keynote speaker Franklin God bless you thank you for coming buddy does that mean you're going to call me Dr Graham Jerry good evening chairman Lee president Prevost Jonathan Falwell Dr Jeremiah to the graduates to the family the distinguished faculty guest s and Friends it's an honor to be here and be with you on this very special occasion I knew the school's Founders Jerry Falwell senior he meant a lot to me and to my family he was a man who was deeply committed to God he was obedient to what God called him to do to build this University and Pastor Thomas Rhodes Baptist Church he was a man of incredible vision I remember being up on Liberty Mountain with him in those days the school had a hard time even making payroll and he pointed out he says see that down there Franklin that's going to be our school of medicine one day and over here we're going to have dormitories and we're gonna have some apartments and we're going to have a new soccer field and he just went on and he could see it I was just looking at just trees down below but he could see it he knew that it was coming he was a man of great vision what you see here on this beautiful campus today is God's hand a blessing on the foundation Dr Falwell laid some 52 years ago God has honored his faithfulness I can't tell you how much I appreciate his calling to raise up champions for Christ my wife Jane and I have four adult children 13 grandchildren all of my children attended Liberty two graduated one came here and he went to West Point and served 16 years in Special Operations my daughter was here she went back and um married a young man at Appalachian State who played football who went on to play in the NFL and they have three beautiful children but all three of my sons found their wives here okay now if you want a good reason why to send your Sons or daughters to a Christian University it because it's a good chance that's where they're going to meet the person that's going to be a part of your family and so I thank God for the women my sons married that they met right here I'm glad you chose Liberty and I congratulate you on successfully completing your degrees today that's an incredible accomplishment and I salute you God bless you now when I went to College I've identified with that kid who said he was exceptional I I could identify with that when I went to school it took me a while to reach graduation day the first college I went to kicked me out now that was kind of tough to go through but I deserved it the second school I attended was a junior college then I went to a college on the west coast where I got interested in taking business courses and then I came back to North Carolina to go to the university and Boone North Carolina Appalachian State to get a degree in Business while my father was still halfway interested in paying the bills so that kind of motivated motivated me to go back to school so it took four schools in six years for me to get my undergraduate degree now while many of you are graduating with honors my mother said I graduated with relief and she was right you see I have no idea what God was going to do with my life and there may be some of you heard them tonight you just have no clue what God is going to do with your life and when I graduate people I know what was your plan I didn't have a plan I was just going to make myself available just see what God would do if you'll just make yourself available to God you just watch what he was going to do now I took I took it now not that I learned to be a businessman or anything by getting an undergraduate degree in business but what I learned was I don't know much so you learned that in school you learn that there's a lot of smart people in this world not just one one of them so I just decided I was going to hire smart people so all my life I've just tried to find people smarter to me and then hire them and so the Samaritan's person the Billy Graham Association we got an incredible team of smart people and I just learned enough to get out of their way and let them do what they do and so God has given me a great opportunity in life and I'm so thankful and I praise him and I give him the glory you see God's going to reveal his plan for you for your life but you've got to be obedient to him and faithful to him okay faithful what chapter comes for you next what's the next chapter for your life my prayer is at this class the class of 23 will be known as a class that stood for truth and a world overflowing with wickedness and deception in lies I pray this class will stand for truth our world is changing it has changed so much just in the times that you set foot on this campus a few years ago think how much it has changed the increase in violence the moral decline in the days of Noah the Bible tells us the Lord saw the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of his thought of his heart was only evil continually and the Lord was sorry that he had made man on Earth he was grieved in his heart I can't help but think that the heart of God is grieved as he looks at our world today our country oh I love our country but it's in a downward spiral morally spiritually economically politically we're just in a free fall why is that because we've turned our back on God and His truth so what do we do [Applause] what do we do we're to be that Beacon of light we're to be that City on a hill standing for the word of God his truth in a culture of confusion and lies we live in a world that wants to portray that there is no such thing as absolute truth that truth is relative now we can Define our own truth that's a lie I'll tell you today there is absolute truth and it's the word of God John John chapter 17 says sanctify them by your truth your word is truth the Bible doesn't contain truth it is the truth cover to cover okay every word of God is true all right now there's some maps in the back I'm not sure about that but I can tell you every word is true the word of God is absolute truth truth is not what you say it is truth is what God says it is Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the father but by me Jesus Jesus away now I'm a pilot Jerry was saying we constantly are charting courses to get us to different locations around the world every plane has a compass whether the plane is made in France China Russia United States north is still north and south is still South you want a compass to be true you want it to be calibrated correctly not only your destination depends on it but your life depends on your compass being correct you can be off just one degree and entirely Miss your destination your life is the same way we've got to keep our course set on Jesus Christ and not allow Satan to distract us from God's plan of purpose for our lives one degree you can miss your destination just one little sin in your life that goes uncorrected can get you off course to where you miss what God has for your life the plan and purpose that he has for you he's got a plan he's got a purpose for your life Jesus is not a way to God he is the way to God the world says there's many roads to God lots of the Hindus have their way the Muslims have their way Christians have their way and it's all going to the same God no it's not that's a lie there's only one way to God and that's through his son Jesus Christ keep your eyes on him Jesus said I'm the life he's the source of life scripture tells us for by him all things were created he created you he made you he loves you he's got a plan he's got a purpose for you for your life you're that special to him did you know you have a soul a spirit he'll live as long as God Lives it's either going to be in his presence in heaven or it's going to be separated from him and Hell For Eternity the choices you make here on this Earth decide where your soul is going to reside and the Bible says what should a prophet a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his soul your soul is that valuable God puts the value your soul is worth more than everything on the face of this Earth that's how valuable your soul is to him he created you he loves you first John 5 says he who has the son has life he who does not have the Son of God does not have life and Jesus said I've come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly Jesus is the truth people are searching for truth they don't even know it in John chapter 8 18 we see Jesus with Pilate pilate said to him pilot talking to Jesus what is truth and he probably had it with a little bit of a snarl in his voice what is truth and when he had said this he went out again to the Jews and he said to them I find no fault in him at all because of his hardened heart pilate didn't recognize that the truth was standing right in front of him you see Jesus Christ is the bodyman of all truth many churches today have compromised on the authority and truth of God's holy word many of our politicians and leaders have bought into the lies of culture and the woke ideology the world wants you to believe that we're more than just male and female that we can be transgender or whatever we choose to identify as it's a lie it's just a life from hell the world wants you to believe that homosexuality is okay as long as it's between two people in a loving relationship that's a lie it's sin it's a sin against God the world wants you to believe that you can have sex with anyone you want to have sex with as long as it's a consensual it's a lie God made sex to be in marriage relationship between a man and woman not to men not two women a marriage relationship the world wants you to believe that abortion is okay that it's a woman's choice it's a lie it's a choice but it's murder it's a sin where does all this come from it comes from hell it comes from Satan he's the author and he's the father of Lies you see the world wants you to sit down and shut up no don't you do that I want you to stand up to shout out to lift up your voice to lift up the truth to live for Jesus Christ the class of 23 live your life for him thank you the gospel is the only hope for a Dying World Dr Prevost just gave a great message an invitation presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ it's the only hope to stand for truth you have to know God's word as you go out with this new chapter of Life make sure you take the word of God and read it believe it study it memorize it meditate on it no matter how old my father got he continued to work memorizing scripture as his eyes failed he would have scripture printed in real big letters and he had put it on different rooms of the wall so as he passed through he could see it he had opened up the Bible and he had turned to a verse and he had just kind of lay it out on his desk or on his bedside table or on the kitchen table and he just leave it that way all day long and as he walked by he had looked down he just kind of said it was like grazing on the word of God he just kind of grazed on it read it believe it study it memorize it meditate on it you see God's word never changes people want to know what doesn't God change with culture are you kidding me God's word never changes the same yesterday today and for eternity God's word is the same you can count on his word as you go through your life your children your grandchildren you can count on every word of scripture it's truth the truth is we've all sinned and come short of God's glory we've fallen short of his standard that's true the wages of sin is death that's true God sent his son Jesus Christ to this Earth on a rescue mission to save us from our sins it's true Jesus took our sins to the Cross shed his blood died was buried on the third day God raised his son to life that's true if you repent and turn from your sins you shall be saved and that's true because that's what God says as you leave here today as you leave here today with this degree use it for God's glory but more importantly hold up his Banner of Truth to a dying skeptical sin-sick world when my father graduated from college in 1943 the world population was 2.3 billion people when I graduated from college in 1978 the world's population was right at 4.3 billion as you graduate today the world's population is over 8 billion people that's 8 billion people who need God's truth the truth of the Gospel Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the father but by him know him trust him live for him lift him up and I hope you'll go forth today as his champions for Christ may God bless each and every one of you that God be the glory foreign [Music] [Music] cause I know there is peace within your presence I speak Jesus [Music] and I just wanna speak the name of Jesus every dark addiction starts to break [Music] declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus [Music] your name is [Music] break every stronghold shine through the Shadows [Music] I just wanna speak the name of Jesus [Music] Christ [Music] your name is healing [Music] [Applause] break every stronghold shine through the Shadows [Music] and Shout Jesus from the mountains and Jesus in the Darkness and Jesus for your families we speak the Holy Name Jesus [Music] Jesus is trees [Music] Jesus shout Jesus from the mountains [Music] Jesus in the Darkness [Music] Jesus [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Christ [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Jesus Christ [Music] [Applause] [Music] Jesus [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] wow you may be seated in a moment your degree is going to be conferred upon you but before we do that I want to recognize the people that have helped get you to this place I'd like for all of our Deans all of our professors all of our teachers all of our faculties VPS would you stand up please we appreciate you would you show your appreciation for all of these that have helped you to get to this place tonight thank you Dr Scott Hicks is going to come and present the graduates and confer upon them their degree Dr Higgs thank you it's my privilege to present to you the degree candidates for the class of 2023 with the candidates for the Doctorate of Business Administration Doctorate of Criminal Justice Doctorate of Education Juris doctorate doctor Doctorate of Ministries Doctorate of music education doctorate of nursing practice Doctorate of osteopathic medicine doctor of philosophy and Doctorate of public administration Doctorate of strategic leadership and the Doctorate of worship please stand to be recognized thank you thank you may be seated with the candidates for Education Specialists and masters of theology degrees please stand to be recognized please be seated with the candidates for all other Masters level degrees please stand to be recognized [Applause] please be seated for the candidates for the bachelor's level degrees please stand to be recognized please be seated well the candidates for all associate level degrees please stand to be recognized please be seated candidates for all postgraduate certificates executive certificates Advanced graduate certificates graduate certificates undergraduate certificates and the graduates of the theology diploma please stand to be recognized may be seated [Applause] with Liberty University Online Academy candidates of high school diplomas please stand to be recognized you may be seated finally would all members of the graduating class of 2023 please stand and remain standing for the conferring of degrees [Applause] graduates as we celebrate our 50th graduating class at this this is the moment that you have been waiting for that fine that time has finally come it's your graduation a time where there will be much reflection celebration and most importantly praise and honor to our father for some this journey has been tough more than one should handle alone although you may have had times of doubt you did not quit you never gave up you placed your trust in him and he carried you to this point for others the journey has been easier by comparison in either case you must be prepared to embrace the challenges that life sends your way God never said life would be easy he knows that you have Clay feet that you will encounter many trials and tribulations that are beyond your own abilities to conquer he knows you'll be persecuted for his name's sake so do not be faint of heart do not grow weary he will never leave you nor will he ever forsake you his righteous right hand is at your back and he will provide you with all the grace and mercy that you need in any particular moment so no matter where you go or what you do or what you find yourself doing be encouraged never lose hope pray without ceasing and remember who you serve with every fiber of your being love and serve with fervent compassion for you our champion for Christ now here we go graduates and the testimony of your conduct and purpose and by the power vested in Me by Dr Jerry Prevo and the Board of Trustees of Liberty universities and upon the recommendation of the faculties of the University I hereby confer upon you the degree of the University with all the rights and privileges appertaining there unto you may move your tassels congratulations [Applause] [Music] [Music] set me free look at the wounds that give me life Grace flowing from his side no greater sacrifice [Music] [Music] my sins are forgiven my future is heaven I praise God for what is done [Music] for the freedom he has won death is dead and done his life has overcome [Music] over every broken place is done [Music] [Music] my future is heaven our praise God for what he's done on a throne of majesty the fathers will complete He reigns in Victory [Music] [Music] all the glory and Beyond us [Music] [Music] all the glory and Beyond [Music] my future [Music] let it goes [Music] to the sun my sins are forgiven my future is [Music] oh my prayers for what he's done [Music] thank you very much let's give them another big hand would you please for singing for us tonight in just a moment I'm going to ask David just remain standing I'm going to ask David Jeremiah Pastor David Jeremiah to come and closer evening in prayer let me just say a few words and then I just select say a few words and then he will come and dismiss us in prayer Dr Jeremiah is no stranger to Liberty University he has spoken here several times he of course is the pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church the founder and host of Turning Point radio and television Ministries two of his children graduated from here and now tonight he has three of his grandchildren that are graduating tonight [Applause] so let me just take some personal time for some comments Carol and I want to thank you for allowing us to share our life with you during this past almost three years and we want to thank you for sharing your life with us we're going to miss walking around the campus and meeting you and maybe walking up to you when you're having devotions or prayer meeting walking up to you when when about I think it's 10 11 students we're having a snowball fight and we went and had a big one we're going to miss you and I want to thank you for all of your Love extended to us you just in these kind of ending days of a person's life like this it means so much to us to have had the privilege and the opportunity to come and experience what we have experienced here at Liberty University we're going to miss you but we'll see some of you from time to time and I'm expecting to see you in the years to come being a champion in your career a champion for Christ in your career before Dr Jeremiah comes Josiah Fowler a sophomore here at Liberty University he was killed in an accident just a few days ago Dr Jeremiah would you please remember this family in prayer as you come to close our 2023 commencement service Dr Jeremiah let's let's pray together father we do not come into your presence tonight because we're already there surrounded by so many who love you and this incredible graduating class was about to be launched into the world of desperate need we have to pause for a moment to give you thanks for the founder of this University for his vision for his determination and we look around at this incredible crowd of people and realize that all of this began in the heart of one man reminds us of the power of one and when we commit ourselves to you what you can do we thank you for the faculty and staff for the professors and adjunct professors for the administrators who make this place work for their faithfulness for their service here in a place where if they did what they did here they could improve their financial situation but they come here because this is where God wants them to be in a sacrifice so that we can stand here tonight and and see what we see we thank you for the families represented by all the graduates for parents and grandparents who stand proud we thank you for the friends of the University who have contributed to its cause and continue to stand by the Outreach of this ministry yes Lord we thank you for what you've done in the past what we prophetically thank you for what you're going to do in the future it's hard to imagine the impact of this many graduates of Liberty University spread out over the years to come their influence in their families their children and their grandchildren in their churches in their communities in the government in the places where they work where they take the influence of Jesus with them everywhere and make a difference Lord we dedicate them to you we draw a circle around them and we say everything in this circle belongs to you God we pray that you will use them and protect them defeat the enemy in his every attempt to destroy their influence we know that he goes about like a lion seeking who made he may devour may he be defeated Lord tonight we leave this place with our hearts full of excitement and joy and renewed hope that you are not yet done with this nation and you are not done yet with this school we pray that you will continue to Show Yourself Strong on behalf of us all we pray in Jesus name amen before I sit down in the church I Pastor we're in a military community and tonight we were so challenged I I just have to ask you to do this when we have a meeting like this at Shadow Mountain at the end we let off steam because we're surrounded with all these military people we say Hua so I'm going to count one two three and I want everybody in this room to shout Hua at the top of your lungs you ready this is our call to action here we go one two three well the commencement ceremonies are over but not quite because as Dr Jeremiah said I think that was a perfect setup obviously we want to let off some steam what better way to let off steam as we celebrate I would encourage you let's watch some fireworks [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] all right [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign foreign [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] thank you [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] foreign [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music]

Channel: Liberty University

Views: 14,545

Keywords: Liberty University, LibertyU, Liberty

Id: 2ptmtKH8now

Length: 219min 17sec (13157 seconds)

Published: Sat May 13 2023