I spoke at the Campus Church tonight... and hopefully made much of God's mission, reconciliation, and the cross. It's late and I am tired, but Liberty is not what I remembered. 
Tonight was 5000 students in God centered worship, some dancing, many on their faces, and all there voluntarily. All good-- just not what I expected. More soon, including updates on my meetings tomorrow to help Liberty plant 500 new churches in the next 5 years.
Update:
Now that I am bit rested and am sitting in the airport, let me share some more.
I graduated there from Liberty in 1995 (an eternity ago!). The school was doing well, but nothing like it is today. I was impressed with several things:
1. The students.
What an amazing collection of students. After I spoke, I had students say hello from all over the country. I even made a side comment about Mongolia-- and there was actaully a student from Mongolia who said hello. Amazing diversity. And, I was impressed with their commitment to Christ and passion for His mission.
2. The worship.
Honestly, I was surprised by the worship service. It was powerful and moving and much more contemporary then I expected (in other words, more what I was used to). Ergun Caner mocked me for being surprised, but he did not know what it was like when I was here over a decade ago! Grin.
It was great-- not cliché driven pep rally worship, but God-centered passionate praise. Ergun says he has the best job in the world and I can see why.
3. The plan.
We met this afternoon with Jonathan Falwell and about 15 others to talk about how Liberty and Thomas Road could help facilitate 500 church plants in the next 5 years. I think they have some traction there. Expect to hear more in the future from them on the subject. I think they have some great ideas and look forward to seeing them developed.
4. The campus.
If you have not been to Liberty lately, you should take a look-- it is quite an impressive facility, and growing every day.
A good day... and now time to go home and see my wife and daughters!
Comments (9)
Hmmm... maybe I can pull my double-alumni and adjunct faculty status to help me be one of those 500. :)
Posted by Patrick Gillen | January 30, 2008 11:57 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 23:57
It does sound quite memorable to see students dancing on their faces. WOW. I would love to see some video. ;-)
Posted by Joe Miller | January 31, 2008 12:43 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 00:43
No kidding Patrick, minus the adjunct status I would love to use my alumni status to get in on some of those resources. I wonder if this will be open to graduating students only? Surely not but I would love to know more, maybe you can help Ed?
Posted by Cliff | January 31, 2008 8:43 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 08:43
Great to see you there. I've never had a greater "first impression" of a university than I had when we arrived at Liberty on Wednesday.
And you even helped me change my mind about a few things while I was there. :)
Posted by Joel | February 1, 2008 4:04 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 16:04
Ed, it was great to spend some time with you at the service Wednesday night...great word..at Panera Bread and at the airport...we need to spend some more time together eating cookies and talking church planting. Oh...by the way...remember why you choked on the cookies! Billy
Posted by Billy Hornsby | February 1, 2008 7:28 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 19:28
Ed,
I would very much like to connect with you. I am moving to Duluth, GA in a few months to plant an Evangelical Free Church.
Rob McQueary
Posted by Rob McQueary | February 5, 2008 10:34 AM
Posted on February 5, 2008 10:34
Ed,
I work in Global Research at the IMB and am a 1992 grad of LU. Funny, something must have changed in the 3 years between our graduations, because the way you describe worship there now is the way I remember it in the late 80s/early 90s. Maybe it was the students that came in after me :-)
Posted by S Peterson | February 5, 2008 10:48 AM
Posted on February 5, 2008 10:48
Billy,
Good to meet you... and thanks for the kind mention on your blog. I returned the favor today!
Posted by Ed Stetzer | February 5, 2008 11:57 AM
Posted on February 5, 2008 11:57
Rob, you can feel free to call my office.
S, I am glad... I just remember it a lot more traditional.
Posted by Ed Stetzer | February 6, 2008 2:39 PM
Posted on February 6, 2008 14:39