Falwell's Sons, Congregation Mourn
CBNNews.com
May 21, 2007
CBNNews.com - LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Rev. Jerry Falwell will be laid to rest Tuesday, May 22, one week after he died from apparent heart failure.
Thousand of people lined the streets around Thomas Road Baptist Church Sunday to watch a horse-drawn hearse carry Falwell's body to the sanctuary.
Watch Falwell's funeral service.
Falwell's body lies in his casket with a copy of the Bible in his hand.
During one of two services held Sunday, the reverend's son Jonathan Falwell reassured tearful mourners that his father was with God.
He "would wrap his arms around us and say 'Guys, it's going to be okay.' He would say, 'I have finally - I have finally - reached glory.' He would say, 'You have a world to reach,"' Falwell, the church's executive pastor, said.
The elder Falwell started Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956 with only 35 members. The church now has 24,000 members. He also started a TV ministry, the "Old Time Gospel Hour," and found Liberty University in 1971.
An emotional graduation ceremony was held at the school Saturday. During the ceremony, Jerry Falwell Jr., vice chancellor of Liberty University, and Jonathan Falwell, spoke of the changes to come at the school.
Falwell Jr. will now take his father's place as Liberty's president.
"There's no person alive who is more capable, more prepared, to lead Liberty University into the future than the man I call brother," Jonathan said, hugging his brother as the crowd rose for a standing ovation.
A press conference for Wednesday explaining future changes at Liberty University was canceled Monday. University and church officials decided that Falwell Jr.'s comments made at the graduation were enough for now, until more can be worked out with the university's Board of Trustees.
Meanwhile, Jonathan will lead the church.
Mary North, who has attended Thomas Road Baptist Church for the last 20 years, said she is confident Falwell's son will work hard.
"Jonathan has a very sweet, precious spirit," she said. "Even though he's very different from his dad, he clearly is the man God put here."
Jerry Falwell died Tuesday, May 25, at the age of 73.
Source: The Associated Press
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