memorial

Falwell's Life in Retrospect

By Dan Reany
CBN News

CWNews.com–-- Throughout Rev. Jerry Falwell's 73 years of life, he was a difficult man to keep up with.

He graduated from Baptist Bible College in 1956 and almost immediately founded Thomas Road Baptist Church.

From about 35 founding members, Thomas Road grew into one of the country's first megachurches, and today has a congregation of 22,000.

But Falwell's influence reached far beyond the pulpit.

Immediately after getting Thomas Road up and running, Falwell created the Old Time Gospel Hour, then went on to found Liberty University in 1971.

"We have a goal of 50,000 students one day on this campus," said Falwell.

Although Liberty currently hosts about half that number, it continues to grow every year.

Earlier in his ministry, Falwell opposed mixing religion and politics.

But in 1979 Falwell co-founded the Moral Majority, which brought religious issues into the forefront of voters' and politicians' minds.

Still, the straight-laced, ultra-conservative knew how to have fun. But as with everything else, he did it in his own unique way.

When he wasn't busy in the pulpit or in the pool, Falwell made the time to found homes for unwed mothers and recovering alcoholics.

And two bouts with congestive heart failure back in 2005 barely slowed him down. Falwell's students prayed during both illnesses, and met him with a standing ovation when he returned.

"You are the crowd that prayed me though and I am so very, very grateful," Falwell the student body of well-wishers.

In recent years, his son, Jonathan Falwell, has been taking over more duties at Thomas Road Baptist Church, while his other son, Jerry Falwell Jr., has handled more at Liberty.

But by age 72, Falwell was still looking toward the future.

"I'm really asking for 15 more years, with the option to renew," he said. "I have lots of things on my heart to do, and I hope the Lord will let me live long enough to do it."

He was given two more years, and did not get that option to renew. But Jerry Falwell's legacy will live on for many generations to come.