Yesterday while finishing up a television shoot, I received a call from Dr. Ergun Caner who shared that Dr. Falwell had been rushed to the hospital and it appeared he was gone. Within the hour, it was confirmed that at 12:40 p.m., Jerry Falwell had died. Yes, it is heaven’s great gain, but our incredible loss.

I met Dr. Falwell in the late 1980′s when he came to preach at our Springdale location. He came in early, and we had some time together over dinner before the service. He handled people with the greatest love. He walked slowly through the crowds. He was quite a giant. Within a year or so, I preached at Thomas Road, gave a testimony during a convocation service, and he showed me around Liberty Mountain while giving me his vision for Liberty University. In a short time, I went on the Board of Trustees for the university. Through the years, I have returned to preach at the university, becoming more passionate about it each time. I served on the Board of Trustees for a season, choosing to get off of it when I was so involved in the Southern Baptist Convention leadership of the Executive Committee, along with the restructuring committee of the Convention. After that was completed, he asked me to return to the Board of Trustees, and I have now been back on the board for a number of years.

As a boy, our family would come home from church, turn on the television, and watch Dr. Falwell. God used him in my life at that point, again later in the ministry, and of course in these past 18 years in a much more defining way. I was motivated every time I was around him. He had more vision in one finger than most leaders have from head to toe. The thing that set him aside from most is that he knew how to make his vision walk.

In March before our board met on a Tuesday, he asked me to come and preach at Thomas Road on that Sunday night, speak at Liberty on Monday, have lunch and then some more time with him. This was more time than I have ever had with him. After speaking at Liberty that morning, we visited in his office and then went to lunch together. He then drove me to tape a television show with his son, Jonathan. After that, we spent three hours together driving and walking around his vision – his entire vision for Liberty University. It was absolutely a remarkable and precious time. After being with him, I walked away feeling that I have no vision at all! He was one amazing man.

All kinds of things have been said and written about him, but understand clearly: Jerry Falwell was a man of God, a great visionary and strategic leader, a courageous soldier, and a loving, caring man for ALL people. I watched it and I saw it in action. The media owes his family an apology for the caricature they have made of him, which is so far from the truth of who he is. Sure, he was a human like all of us and he made some mistakes, but he always pressed forward through those mistakes, learning and growing. Liberty University is his legacy: 10,300 students on campus; an additional 17,000 through distance learning; looking for 11,500 students on campus next year, and it appears it is heading for the fulfillment of his vision. Undoubtedly, Liberty has been one of the fastest growing institutions of higher learning in American history. I will always be grateful for its contribution to the members of our family.

The two greatest visionaries I have ever known in my life are J.B. Hunt and Jerry Falwell: I conducted J.B.’s funeral in December and yesterday, Jerry Falwell went home. Oh how I miss them both already. You cannot replace men like these two men. Oh Lord, I trust what you are doing.

Pray not only for the Falwell Family, but also the students at Liberty. They are in finals this week, and graduation ceremonies are happening this weekend. They loved Jerry Falwell like a grandfather while they were away from their home. He had become their spiritual hero. He was like a Rock Star anytime they saw him or he walked into the arena for Convocation and spoke to them . . . and he did so each Wednesday. Wednesdays will never be the same at Liberty University.

My final words: Thank you Lord for your servant and soldier of the cross, Jerry Falwell … please tell him for me today, “I loved him and will miss him until I see him again.”