Page 23 - Holyland Magazine - 2018 Edition

LU faculty riding a camel in the Judean Desert during the 2017 Faculty
Training Trip. Photo: Unknown
Loving thy
neighbor
At Liberty University, a heart for Israel beats on
By Mitzi Bible
The college years are a time of discovery
and growth. At Liberty University, this
takes place within the Biblical/Christian
worldview. As students explore the world
through different academic disciplines,
they become more aware of God’s plan
for His people. With every class, and with
every extra-curricular opportunity, the
university is committed to its mission of
Training Champions for Christ.
The modern miracle of Israel is recounted
many times for students at Liberty, and
there are several opportunities for them
to learn more about the Holy Land and
even explore it for themselves. LU Send,
the school’s travel program, offers up to
10 faculty-led trips to Israel each year.
Students not only have a chance to see the
Bible come to life at historical sites, but — the ability to walk with Christ no matter
they also engage with and serve the people
living there, gaining an understanding that truth in my heart.”
many college students do not have for this
special place.
David Welch, a dual citizen of the U.S.
and Israel, heads the program and has led
several trips.
“It shows solidarity with Medinat Yisrael
when young evangelical Christians sign
up for these trips, seeking to understand
the dynamics of the Israeli people,” he
said. “Liberty is ground zero for training
compassionate influencers. Our students
learn how to pray for the Jewish State and
how to bless Israel’s minority communities, it has hosted Israel’s Ambassador to the
loving their neighbors the way God has
called us to do. It leaves them inspired to
LU Students touring Caesarea Maritima
in March 2017. Photo: David Welch
become better advocates for what God is
doing there.”
In a survey of the student body, Israel
was the No. 1 locale of preference
for international travel. Welch stated,
“Although our students are motivated to
understand how they can be a blessing
to Israel, few are able to afford the travel
costs and LU Send is seeking partners
who believe in what we are doing and can
remove the financial roadblock to students
investing their time there.”
“I was encouraged to explore and invest in
the people of Israel, and this is where the
greatest value of my trip was found,” said
recent alumnus Spencer Cameron. “I was
not only able to be with people who were
walking where Jesus walked, but was also
able to experience what the cross affords us
where we go. Being in Israel cemented that
David Nasser, senior vice president of
spiritual development, said that Liberty,
as a Christian community, “understands
that Israel is in the center of God’s plan,
and we take a stand to honor and serve
everyone we come in contact with there.”
Nasser will be visiting Israel with student
leaders this summer, where he will be
a featured speaker at the Jerusalem
Encounter Conference.
As a university, Liberty has a longstanding
tradition of supporting Israel. In recent years
LU students gather in
Jaffa in November 2017.
Photo: Steven Thomas
LU Send head David Welch
with Dr. Randall Price,
LU University Professor
and Chief Archaeologist
of Qumran Caves Photo:
Timothy Yonts
United States Ron Dermer and announced
a financial investment in leading-edge
development projects in the technology,
medical, and defense industries in Israel. The
student government passed an amendment
to its constitution forbidding legislation
supporting the Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions (BDS) movement against
Israel, which stands in contrast with other
universities.
On a recent trip to Israel, two students
interviewed a Holocaust survivor for
a documentary that is now part of the
digital collection at the Visual Center at
Yad Vashem Library in Jerusalem, the
world’s most comprehensive collection of
published material about the Holocaust.
With a strong love for the land and its
people, Liberty University is touching lives
in Israel and impacting a nation.
Happy 70th Birthday Israel:
Liberty University Loves You!
Help more students discover the rich
culture and history of Israel and provide
longer opportunities for students there by
texting “LUIsrael” to 24502. You can also
send checks to:
Liberty University c/o: LU Send, 1971
University Blvd., Green Hall 2505,
Lynchburg, VA 24504. Donations are tax-
deductible.
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