Yesterday I wept. I watched the funeral for Jerry Falwell (Doc to me) over the internet, and as the recording of the late Doug Oldham played, and pictures of Doc were shown, I could not hold back the tears. The words to the song, coupled with the pictures caused a flood of memories to sweep over my soul. The chorus said "Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you, for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave..." You see, I too, am a life that was changed, NOT by Jerry Falwell, but BECAUSE of Jerry Falwell. God did the changing, Doc did the rest.

I first visited Liberty Baptist College in Dec, 1975. I was a young, ambitious, only caring about making a name for myself, 18 year old I was the saved, seated, and satisfied in my salvation type. Well, that didn't last long. Doc's "Keep the pulpit hot" attitude cooled my attitude off , but lit a passion for God in my soul; a hunger to be a champion for Christ, as he put it.

I spent a total of 8 years in Lynchburg, both as student, and staff member. I recall on one occasion Doc called me, "one of my boys." I really can't recall the complete context, but being one of "his" made an impact on me. I never really traveled with, nor, had a private audience with him, but somehow he learned my name. It may have been after I graduated, worked in Charlottesville for a while, and then returned to TRBC to work as SMITE director for a year. I really don't know, but one thing I do know is, that he always remembered my name after that. On one occasion he said I was one of "his" boys.

In 1995 Diana and I were the first couple to receive, as a couple, the prestigious EAGLE Award, as alumni of the year. I was asked to speak on a Wednesday night at TRBC. What an honor. Before the service I met with him in his back office,to pray. Edie was there, too. She always made sure Doc looked good before going out on stage. She told me, "be sure to zip up before going out there." I guess even Doc had to be reminded of some of life's basic rules from time to time. That evening he announced me as "one of our very own." Well, as I said, I'm not from Lynchburg, but spending 8 years there must have made me one of his own.

I saw him, again, in 2004, at the Purpose Driven Church conference at LU. He told me he was proud that I was "our PD man down in Brazil." I remembered that, later, as I helped develop the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign in Portuguese. I was glad that he approved of Rick Warren, and Purpose Driven. I suppose you could say Doc always was driven by purpose. Only thing is, he didn't write the book.

When Charity Maria was born, Doc held her in his arms during a picture taking session. We were visiting for homecoming. Doc whispered to her, "don't be like your scoundrel brother - come to Liberty." He repeated it several times, with Macel replying, "Oh Jerry" while tapping him on the back. You see, he prayed the baby dedication prayer for Joshua, way back in 1983. Joshua decided to attend Boyce College, in Louisville, KY.

Now I couldn't be prouder of Josh than I am now. As a matter of fact, in 2004 I presented Joshua to Doc, and he said he remembered Josh. When Joshua mentioned that he was working at Southern Seminary with Dr Albert Mohler, Doc replied, "Tell that Mohler to send me some money." That was Doc.

Just a few weeks before his death Diana, Charity and I were in Lynchburg, helping with the Missions Department's Next Steps program. That Sunday night after church, I asked him if I ever had given him a prayer card/magnet. Upon replying the negative, I handed him one of our latest. He graciously received that card, and assured me that he prayed for all the missionaries of TRBC, but that our card would go on his fridge to remind him to pray for us. He then responded, "But you're still as ugly as ever." Only one of HIS boys could take that and realize it was a compliment.

Well, I am so glad to have had the privilege to call Jerry Falwell my pastor. While others may have known him better, none can say that they admired him any more than me. I will never come close to the stature of a man that he was, but I know this, he helped me find God's purpose for my life, and I want to use my life to fulfill those purposes. That is what Doc would want - for each of "his" boys and girls - to fulfill God's purposes in their own life; to be exactly what God wants each of us to be.

You see, one thing that I am still learning is that God's vision for my life is much greater than Jerry Falwell's vision for me. God's desires for me are greater than Doc's desires. God has a plan for my life....and I didn't really need Jerry Falwell to get those purposes. BUT, I probably would never have known God's plan for me, if it were not for Jerry Falwell's vision for me as a champion. Yes, God used Doc to teach me some very important lessons in life.

So, this is my way of saying, THANK YOU Jerry Falwell, for giving your all to the Lord. My life was changed as a result of your life. Now, hang up your bow, your sword and shield, and take up your reward. Enjoy your rest of your soul, and look down upon, and keep praying for me. I admit, I still need it. And, thanks for calling me one of your boys. I shall always be.

Tom Turley LU 81' Missionary to Brazil for 20 years.