Liberty University

I continue to believe that Liberty University—which this fall (2004) has 9,671 students enrolled in resident undergraduate and graduate programs—will be at the forefront of a new wave of Christian activists and public servants who boldly and confidentially confront the culture. We are already seeing this happening with our 70,000-plus alumni, some of whom are now serving in elected office while the rest are actively involved in electing pro-life, pro-traditional family leaders.

In that regard, on Wednesday, Sen. Jesse Helms, a longtime champion of conservative values in the U.S. Congress, was honored by Liberty during a special convocation in the university’s Vines Center. This year, we launched the Helms School of Government at Liberty and this event served as the university’s way of paying tribute to this man whose name will forever define our government school’s agenda.

Sen. Helms was visibly moved as he thanked the student body, faculty and staff who uproariously welcomed him to campus. The senator was joined by his wife Dorothy, daughter Nancy, and grandson Stuart during his visit to Liberty.

“You inspire me so much,” Sen. Helms said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I’m almost in tears.”

Quickly gaining his poise, this great man then issued an inspirational discourse on the importance of Christian young people boldly serving God in whatever professional field they enter. He also urged them to a commitment to serving Christ throughout their lives.

He said that after his 30-year career in the U.S. Senate and his service to his nation, the most important thing for him, at the close of his life, was to hear God welcome him to heaven saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Students packing the university’s Vines Center during the mid-week convocation were visibly moved as this man who has been one of the most important lawmakers in our nation’s history showed the humility of a servant in expressing his devotion to Jesus Christ.

It has been my privilege to know Sen. Helms for the past three decades. He has inspired me and encouraged me to unflinchingly advance biblical values in our increasingly secular society.

I am so pleased that Sen. Helms, who is 82, is now part of the Liberty University family. It is fitting that at this university—where we uncompromisingly teach the Christian worldview and train our young people how the Founders created a nation under God—that Sen. Helms will lend his expertise and advice during his golden years of public service.

I recounted to the students how that, in 1984, Sen. Helms was running against Gov. Jim Hunt for Senate reelection. Gov. Hunt had never once lost an election and was a media darling. He was subsidized by many liberal organizations that wanted to send Sen. Helms home. The liberals probably wanted Sen. Helms out of office even more than they wanted Ronald Reagan out. But Sen. Helms whipped Gov. Hunt and remained the leading conservative voice in our nation.

Sen. Helms understood that his conservative stance would bring him ridicule from Hollywood, the ACLU and the so-called mainstream media. But he remained true to his calling. His is such a wonderful example for young people who will soon be engaging a culture that will not always be welcoming to them.

I was taught in college that politics and religion don’t mix. That was before the Supreme Court kicked God out of our public schools and conservative people of faith had become so demonized. Liberty students are learning that Christians must be at the forefront of protecting our Christian heritage and that they will face stern resistance from those who want to kill that heritage.

I truly believe that Liberty will produce the next generation of Jesse Helms, Billy Grahams, James Dobsons, Beverly LaHayes and Sean Hannitys.

That is my goal and it is rapidly coming to fruition.

When I breathe my last breath I will have a smile on my face for two reasons:

1. I will know that I will awaken in the presence of my Savior.

2. I will be confident that I have left a legion of Liberty alumni who will collectively take up the mantle, carried by Sen. Helms, myself and many others of my generation, to defend biblical values in our one nation, under God. And I hope they give the liberal politicians and the ACLU more trouble than I ever did!

From Jerry's "Falwell Confidential"