Jerry Falwell (1933–2007)

Born August 11, 1933, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Jerry Lamon Falwell emerged from the Blue Ridge region’s close-knit Baptist life into a national pulpit. Lynchburg—industrial, Southern, and steadily changing—became the setting for a ministry marked by urgency and evangelistic appeal. Falwell’s early years were shaped by the conviction that God calls ordinary people to courageous obedience, and that the gospel addresses both the heart and the world.

Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, Virginia)

Falwell became pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, where his preaching emphasized personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and unwavering commitment to Christ. Services were known for direct calls to repentance and faith, urging hearers to move from religious familiarity to new life in Christ. The church grew into a hub for evangelism, prayer, and discipleship, reflecting the belief that doctrine and devotion belong together. Falwell often framed Christian perseverance as a kind of steady heroism: not self-glory, but endurance, courage, and sacrificial love for neighbor. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Liberty University (Founded 1971)

In 1971 Falwell helped launch Liberty University in Lynchburg to train Christians for faithful service in every vocation—ministry, education, law, business, medicine, and public service. The vision was that spiritual formation and academic excellence could strengthen one another, equipping graduates to live with integrity and compassion. Liberty’s growth reflected a conviction that learning is a stewardship and that Christ’s lordship reaches into every classroom and career.

Moral Majority / Liberty Federation (Founded 1979)

In 1979 Falwell founded the Moral Majority (later the Liberty Federation), urging believers to engage public life with prayer, moral clarity, and compassion for the vulnerable. Critics accused him of politicizing faith, while supporters saw a call to conscience in a turbulent era. Falwell insisted that faith is not merely private sentiment but a public witness, pressing Christians to seek righteousness without surrendering kindness. “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16). “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21).