Discover Church Commissioning Service @ LU

Dr. Earley with future lead planters

Britt/Stephanie and Me with Matt Willmington (TRBC)

Side view of Jonathan speaking to us

Today was a HUGE day for Discover Church and our team. In Liberty's convocation Pastor Jonathan spoke a tremendously encouraging message that was based on his father and founder of Thomas Road/Liberty Dr. Jerry Falwell's famous message.  This was the first time since Doc passed away (two years in May) that Jonathan preached one of his dad's messages.  He led off the talk by asking us four big questions that Doc used to ask us regularly.  I pass them on to you for you to answer:

• What would I try to do if I knew I could succeed?
• What goals would I set if I knew I could not fail?
• What price am I willing to pay?
• What sacrifices am I willing to make?

Pastor Jonathan then went on to preach to the 12,000 person audience from 2 Timothy 1:7, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."  Here are the main thoughts that he attached to us and challenged the church planters. 

• Be bold!
• Don't focus on the problems!
• Believe God for the impossible!
• Commit to Him daily!
• Learn to play hurt! (Never, Never, NEVER quit!)

At the conclusion of the talk Jonathan invited all the church planters, their wives, and team members to stand below the platform and challenged each of us by name and location.  Then Dr. Elmer Towns (co-founder of Liberty and church growth guru) prayed for us as the pastors of LU and TRBC laid their hands on us!  This was truly a remarkable day.  If you are interested in hearing/seeing the convocation service click here and look for today's date (April 22nd); it may not be posted just yet.  Click here for the story from Liberty's site.  Here are some pics from this morning...