Liberty Champion Nov 11 2014

Monmouth Hawks down in Flames B1

Alumni perform on London stage B6

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Lynchburg, Virginia

Volume 32 | Issue 10 Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Votes make impact

and a child shall lead them

Students turn out for midterm race David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu

This year’s general election shifted control of the U.S. Senate from a Democrat majority to a Republican majority, changing the overall balance from a Republican House and Democratic Senate to a fully Republican controlled Congress.

Ed Gillespie, former chair of the Republican National Committee, was seeking a seat in the Senate during the November general elections. His race against Democrat candidate Mark Warner was closer than many expected, although Gillespie ultimately conceded defeat amid speculations of a recount.

Larry Provost of the division of Student Affairs acknowledged the impressive number of students who showed up at the polls, referencing previous elections, which saw less involvement.

“We registered around 1,000 people this semester, and 1,258 people showed up to vote,” Provost said. “We’ve done presidential, we’ve done gubernatorial, but we’ve never really had a large (turnout) for midterms.

The overall student turnout was good.”

The large turnout did not appear from the mists however. Efforts across campus were made to ensure that students had the time and ability to register for the midterm elections.

“I saw a greater student enthusiasm, and there was more information about the candidates that students were distributing to each other,” Provost said. “I think students liked having classes canceled as it made it easier for them to vote.”

Previous strategies were chosen not to be used this time around.

“In other elections, we’d registered students in hall meetings and in class,” Provost said. “We didn’t register students in class this semester for a couple reasons. We really didn’t have a lot of time to do it, but also we are just starting to rebuild the voter registration program again.”

The Senate races proved to be closer than

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

SALUTE — “The boy from Omaha beach” gives tribute to the troops during the halftime show against Monmouth.

For coverage of Liberty’s Military Emphasis Week, see page A2.

See VOTES, A7

Student tragically killed Senior Jon Gregoire dies after being struck by train on restricted trestle Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

Jon Gregoire, a 21-yearold Liberty University senior, died Saturday, Nov. 8 around 4 p.m. after being struck by an oncoming train on a trestle behind Riverside Park in Lynchburg.

Gregoire, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, was majoring in business administrationmarketing with a certificate in Bible, according to a university news release. Gregoire also served as a prayer leader and was planning to become a missionary,

the release stated.

“Jon will be terribly missed by so many at Liberty University,” President Jerry Falwell said in a statement released Sunday evening. “He was known and loved for his adventurous spirit and his spiritual depth. … His last Facebook post on Oct. 30 reflected on how God and Jesus Christ gave life its ultimate meaning. The Gregoire family will be held up in prayer by the entire Liberty University community.”

According to Samuel Dye, an RA on floor six of

WEATHER

SUNNY HIGH: 70 LOW: 43 Tomorrow: SUNNY

the Commons Dorm where Gregoire lived, Gregoire was a godly friend and mentor who left an impact on many people in the Liberty community.

“He was just such an encouragement to me,” Dye said. “I was his RA, but I looked up to him spiritually.

He loved God so much. He loved people. … He was an incredible guy. … Anyone that knows Jon knows that he is legitimately one of the nicest people you’re ever gonna meet.”

Dye said Gregoire showed genuine care for everyone

around him and showed Christ-like love.

“Everyone that I’ve talked to absolutely loved the guy, because he loved them, and he made that very clear through his actions, through his words,” Dye said. “…

I’m never gonna forget him.

I’m never gonna move on from him. I’m always gonna remember the way he loved people, the way that he just made people feel special.

Every person, he made them feel important and special and loved. And that’s See STUDENT, A6

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JOY — Friends remember senior’s upbeat personality.

Sports

Feature

News Opinion

Men’s soccer wins in regular season finale against High Point.

After successful first season, farmer’s market comes to a close.

B8

Sports Feature

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

Liberty takes precautions with teams traveling overseas.

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B2

A1 A4 B1 B5

news

A2 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

HONOR — Several events took place during Military Emphasis Week in order to give recognition to past and present U.S. soldiers who have fought for America’s freedoms.

Tribute to the Armed Forces Office of Military Affairs hosts time of appreciation for service members

Felicia Hudson fphudson@liberty.edu

Liberty University held its yearly Military Emphasis Week (MEW) Nov. 3-11 to honor current members of the military as well as veterans.

The week kicked off Nov. 3 with the Military Night of Remembrance to honor military members who died in service.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Oliver North spoke during military Convocation about the definition of a true hero.

“Those with whom you keep company will define who you are,” North said. “Associate with those who serve others.”

After Convocation, a Veterans’ Reception was held for Liberty students, staff and faculty who are currently serving in or who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Later in the day, retired Maj. Gen. Robert Dees held a book signing. Dees has written three books under the collective

name “Resilience Trilogy” and is also the director of the Institute for Military Resilience at Liberty and associate vice president for military outreach.

The Office of Military Affairs and Army ROTC hosted a Military Tailgate before the football game against Monmouth Saturday, Nov. 8.

A Military Emphasis Week halftime at the Monmouth versus Liberty football game rivaled a Fourth of July event filled with patriotic music, flags and fireworks.

The celebration included traditions from past events, such as the medley of U.S. Armed Forces songs and recognition of each branch of service, the reenactment of the iconic scene from the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima and Charles Billingsley’s rendition of “God Bless the USA.” The unfurling of a giant 50-by150-foot flag underscored the event as a celebration to honor those who served.

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Many standing ovations were given during the halftime honoring the service and sacrifice of military men and women.

The George Rogers Freedom Award (See the Champion profile of Rogers from Nov. 4 edition) was presented to Oliver North.

North gave his acceptance speech and, in turn, gave the honor back to Rogers. North explained that he heard Rogers say “the reason he survived four years in a prison of war camp and came out weighing 85 pounds was because his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wanted him to.” North said Rogers wore his faith unashamedly throughout his life and called him the example of a true hero.

The surprise highlight of the event was the participation of “The Boy from Omaha Beach.”

While his video called “Project Vigil” played on the big screen, the real boy took to the field in the same attentive pose he held in the video. (See Project Vigil on Youtube.com.) His salute to the soldiers who gave their last full measure of devotion received one of many standing ovations given during the halftime honoring the service and sacrifice of military men and women.

“Liberty University’s leadership has always supported setting aside a time of year to recognize the service and personal sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, paying special attention to the service members and veterans within

the Liberty University community,” Emily Foutz, director of the Office of Military Affairs, said.

Foutz said Dr. Will Honeycutt played a large role in getting Military Appreciation Day started.

She said the Office of Military Affairs turned it into a week-long event in 2009.

New events were added this year to MEW, such as a Military Appreciation blood drive and Military Appreciation Day forum for online students, according to Foutz. She said this provides the opportunity for online students to participate in MEW. The Office of Military Affairs has hosted MEW every year, honoring active duty and retired members of the military for their service to this nation. For more information on how they reach out to students, visit www.liberty. edu/online/military-students.

HUDSON is a news reporter.

Oliver North inspires students Retired Marine addresses audience during military emphasis Convocation Lauren Glossner lbglossner@liberty.edu

Liberty hosted its annual military emphasis Convocation Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Convocation featured g u e s t speaker Lt. Col. Oliver North, r e t i r e d NORTH U.S. Marine Corps, and included traditional military rituals.

Convocation began with worship led by the Sounds of Liberty ministry team.

After the pledge of allegiance was recited, the five vocalists sang an a capella

arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

A large American flag stretched across the back of the stage, providing a patriotic background. ROTC members dressed in their uniforms. Current military members, previous military members and military family members were recognized and applauded.

Liberty’s joint ROTC Color Guard posted the colors and then performed “Taps” in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Dr. Steven Keith of Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy spoke first, and then retired Chaplain Maj. Gen. Doug Carver delivered the opening prayer.

Chris Tomlin also

performed, singing his song “Hymn for America” for the first time in public. Tomlin described the song as a “humble prayer for our country.” With just an acoustic guitar and his voice, he introduced the new song to the students, who quickly picked up the tune and sang along.

David Nasser, the senior vice president of spiritual development, introduced North as a highly decorated marine and New York Times bestselling author, noting that Liberty has purchased more of North’s books than any other school. According to his website, North has received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts.

“He is a true American,” Nasser said.

According to his website, North has been the host of the award-winning military documentary series, “War Stories” on Fox News since 2001.

At Convocation, North discussed what makes a real hero.

“A hero is a person who puts themselves at risk for the benefit of others,” North said.

He noted the fact that America’s military is made up solely of volunteers.

North shared how the young men and women who serve this country are brave and admirable.

According to North’s website, he was assigned to the National Security

Council staff during the Reagan administration.

North shared a clip of former President Ronald Regan talking about one of America’s greatest strengths, which is having free people who are willing to serve.

“Those who say we are in a time without heroes just don’t know where to look,” Reagan said.

North also spoke about being a leader and encouraged students to take the initiative to set a good example for others.

“Being a role model is the most important thing you can be,” North said.

He also talked about showing versus telling.

North challenged students to show others how to

live, rather than just telling them. He used the example of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, which showed them how to be humble and serve others.

North was selling his newest book “Counterfeit Lies” after convocation, which he signed for students who stayed to meet him.

The service was filled with patriotism, passion and pride for this nation and those who have risked and are still risking their lives to protect it.

GLOSSNER is a news reporter.

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Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | A3

Student safety a concern

Measures taken to ensure the well being of students as they head overseas Cierra Carter cmcarter18@liberty.edu

Every year, Liberty University commits to outreach efforts all over the globe, but with the ongoing Ebola outbreak, some question the safety of students traveling abroad.

Between 600 and 800 Liberty students participate in study abroad programs every year that are both semester long and short-term tours. There are also Global teams that typically range from 10-12 participants.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, Liberty will be sending out 22 different Global Teams during Christmas, spring and summer breaks. Of those teams, six will be traveling to African countries, including the West African countries of Ghana and Togo.

The serious nature of the Ebola disease does warrant caution, but that is nothing new for Robert Wells, Liberty University’s Director of Risk Management.

Working with the Center for Student Travel, Wells monitors and implements safety protocol for all students traveling with the university.

“Whoever we’re working with, whether it’s missions or a third-party tour group, we do a vendor review, and we have standards that are set and safety measures that need to be met,” Wells said.

“The university is in constant communication with the vendors.”

The vendors the university partners with are thoroughly evaluated and reputable, Wells said, and many are recurring partners of Liberty University.

No students will be sent to

the affected West African countries for study abroad programs. According to Wells, it would not even be a possibility due to insurance restrictions.

Also heading warnings from the State Department and CDC is John, whose last name has been withheld for safety reasons. As director of Global Teams in the Center for Global Engagement, John stays in contact with the hosts in various countries and Liberty’s partner organizations to ensure safety.

“We’re in communication specifically with two of the major organizations who have been in the countries where Ebola has broken out and are helping to fight the outbreak,” John said. “We get firsthand communication with them on the general Ebola situation.”

Measures of precaution are taken to present students with the best, safest travel situations. A standard insurance program will go into effect in the spring of 2015 for every study abroad participant, ensuring that health safety standards are the same for each student. Students must be enrolled in a university registry that keeps track of all trips, participants and medical details.

“We’re in constant contact with the State Department, and if the State Department lists a country as unsafe, then we won’t travel there,” Wells said. “We monitor the state department and the CDC listings, and if we have a trip that’s planned to an area that may have any type of health risk, we would cancel that trip.”

Liberty has cancelled previous trips in order to ensure student safety. One

Photo Provided

CAUTION — Global Teams trips, such as this trip to Haiti, require special measures to ensure student safety and health.

Global Team that was originally intended to travel to Benin, Africa in December 2014 had their trip redirected to the Philip-

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erty’s care and concern for all student travelers as a top priority of an institution so invested in cross-cultural work.

If the State Department lists a country as unsafe, then we won't travel there.

pines in March 2015 due to various concerns including disease in the area.

John recalled a former trip to Mexico City that was postponed due to the Swine Flu epidemic.

“We collaborate with our partnering programs and work with them closely so we know what’s going on in their area of the world,” Wells said. “We take seriously the concerns, and we will cancel trips when we need to.”

John reiterated Lib-

— ROBERT WELLS “The well-being of our students is something that’s very important to us,” John said. “We do stay on top of not only health concerns like the Ebola virus, but other risks as well and seek to monitor those … in order to make the most informed assessments and decisions about reasonable risk.

CARTER is a sports reporter.

Photo Provided

HEALTH — Student well-being is a priority on global trips.

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OPINION

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November 11, 2014

Midterms: a new direction

Americans signal desire for change as Republicans take control of Senate Kimberly Stefanick kmstefanick2@liberty.edu

The skies above the Empire State Building lit up Nov. 4 as election results were gradually revealed. The top of the Empire State Building, an iconic and historic landmark in New York City, lit up red when the Congressional majority shifted, declaring to the nation that Washington’s political power had been handed to the Republicans.

With a new party as the majority, major changes are expected.

Voters held Democrats responsible for many of the problems plaguing the nation and the world. Exit polls from last Tuesday’s election echoed dissatisfaction with the last six years of the upper chamber’s leadership. In fact, Congressional approval is at a measly 13 percent with an 80 percent disapproval rating, according to Fox News.

As the new leaders, Republicans have the task of whipping our House and Senate into shape in the next two years to re-instill the American people’s confidence in the government — a task they are very capable of completing.

Congressional leaders are not the only people Americans are disgruntled with in Washington.

President Barack Obama faces new struggles stemming from election results.

With only 44 percent of voters approving of his actions as president and 78 percent worried about the direction of the economy in the coming year, according to Fox News, it is no wonder the Democrats lost out last Tuesday.

During a news conference in the East

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SWITCH — The Republican Party took control of both chambers of Congress Nov. 4.

Room of the White House, Obama spoke of his feelings about the outcome.

“It doesn’t make me mopey,” Obama said. “It energizes me, because it means that this democracy’s working.”

When speaking of the lack of faith Americans hold in Washington, Obama took responsibility.

“As president, they rightly hold me accountable to do more to make it work properly,” Obama said.

Change is necessary for progress. As the Republicans have spent their time refreshing their playbook and creating an improved system within the party, according

to CNN, Democrats have been feverishly fighting, and losing, to protect Americans’ hope in the White House.

“At some point, the voters have to start believing the government — and the people who are supposed to be running it — works,” CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger said.

Voters’ hope in the government wavered as distractions like Ebola and ISIS threw Washington into a state of disarray and political leaders attempted to combat the issues.

According to the White House Office of the Press Secretary, Obama referred to

someone with Ebola reaching our shores as an “unlikely event” in September.

This is clearly not the case, as there have been three cases of Ebola in the U.S. in recent months.

Democrats fell further in the polls after Obama admitted in late August that there was no set strategy for dealing with ISIS, according to the Washington Times.

It is no surprise that the Democrats lost control of the Senate. The chaos in their ranks and the president’s underestimation of Ebola and ISIS led Americans to lose faith in the party they elected two years ago.

Now, the American people have run to the arms of the Republicans, who have accepted their new role gingerly, understanding working with Obama could be difficult, according to NPR. With change comes opportunity, and Republicans have the opportunity to whip Washington into shape, hold our president accountable and help Americans regain trust in the federal government.

Moving forward, foreign policy, healthcare and immigration will be the issues of our day. It is up to the newly-elected majority to prove to the electorate that they made the right choice — that the Grand Old Party is the party for true progress.

So let us find joy in the red that graced the Empire State Building, because it signifies a new chapter in our history, a chapter that will hopefully find America back on its feet, united and ready for whatever should come next.

STEFANICK is an opinion writer.

Another Bush for president?

Popular former Florida governor named as possible presidential contender Lee Sutherland lsutherland6@liberty.edu

In light of gains the Republican party made in the Senate Tuesday night, Nov. 4, many have begun to eye potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election in 2016. One particular individual that has many in the Grand Old Party excited is Jeb Bush. The last name may sound familiar, as he is the son of former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush, as well as the brother of former President George W. Bush. While political success runs in the family, Jeb Bush has a few unique qualities that make him a strong presidential candidate.

Past experience as governor Jeb Bush, elected 43rd governor of Florida in 1998, has displayed strong handling of bureaucracy and the economy. A two-term governor, Jeb Bush cut $19 billion in taxes, including the intangibles tax, and phased out the state’s death tax. Through the creation of such organizations as the Center for Efficient Government, the governor was able to reduce the size of the state bureaucracy, making it more efficient and cost effective. An article written by the Washington Policy Center stated that Jeb Bush “reduced the number of state government employees by 13,726, a 6.6 percent reduction of the 210,209 employed in 1999.”

Additionally, the article stated “Gov.

by Emily Brown The 4.4 million viewers that tuned in to TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” two weeks ago for Jill and Derick Dillard’s wedding probably noticed that the couple did things a little differently. From the Arkansas couple’s first kiss and first frontal hug coming after their “I dos,” to the 1,000 people in attendance, the first of the Duggar girls’ weddings was definitely unique.

But the distinctive qualities of the marriage stretched beyond the ceremony and reception. Jill and Derick Dillard chose to enter into a covenant marriage.

Jeb Bush vetoed over $2 billion in new spending initiatives.”

While improving the economy and shrinking the state’s bureaucracy, Jeb Bush was also praised for his handling of the eight devastating hurricanes that hit the Florida coasts during his time in office.

As his president brother took serious heat for his handling of Hurricane Katrina, Jeb Bush saw approval ratings soar for his work in protecting his state. These actions demonstrated the former governor’s competence and experience, qualities that have seemed to be absent in Washington, D.C. over the past six years.

and accomplished at courting the approximately 17 percent of the Florida electorate that is Hispanic. He received 61 percent of their votes in 1998 and almost that much in 2002.”

Appeal to minorities and women One of the major problems with the Republican Party illuminated in the 2012 presidential election was its lack of appeal to minorities and women throughout the country. This has been an issue debated back and forth among media and party personalities and seems to be something that needs to be addressed in order for a Republican to gain control of the White House.

Jeb Bush could be the answer to this problem, as he scored well with minorities and women in his governor elections in Florida. The Washington Post wrote that the governor won 14 percent of the black vote in 1998 as well as 50 percent of woman voters. George Will, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Washington Post, wrote that “Bush is fluent in Spanish

Forward-thinking policies As stated in previous articles, the Republican Party desperately needs a positive, reform-centered set of policies that convince Americans that its way of handling the country’s needs is the best one. Jeb Bush has had a strong history of such policies in education, where he has implemented school choice agendas, and in immigration, where he supports reform that is badly needed. While some conservatives criticize Jeb Bush for his support of the “Common Core” national education model, it should be taken with a grain of salt, as he has shown a strong track record of positive education reform.

One area that may be a stumbling block for his potential run for the presidency is his family tree. His two immediate relatives who have served as president of the United States have some people worried that electing another Bush could make one too many of his family to sit in the Oval Office. The idea of a Bush family dynasty has raised concerns that the founding principles of our country will be abandoned.

Ironically, the Republican Party’s major opponent in the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton, has a strong presidential pedigree

While every state has its own form of marriage license, only three allow for covenant marriages — Arkansas, Arizona and Louisiana. Although covenant marriages reflect biblical concepts, this type of marriage is more than just a binding contract.

Instituted in 2001, Arkansas’ covenant marriage statute carries several more requirements than traditional marriage licenses, according to an article in the Arkansas Times. In addition to the condition of premarital counseling, the statue also makes it harder for couples to divorce.

According to Northwest Arkansas’ Center for Healthy Relationships, a couple may seek a divorce only after receiving counseling and only for reasons of adultery, abuse or the commission of a felony or major crime by the spouse, or in cases in which couples have been living separate and apart for a specified period of time, which varies based on the case.

Although covenant marriages are not the most popular choice among engaged couples in Arkansas — only 1,936

covenant licenses were issues compared to 315,943 traditional licenses between 2002 and 2010 — I applaud Jill and Derick Dillard for their unusual choice and would hope for more couples to follow their lead.

A covenant marriage boils down to a lifelong commitment to stay with your spouse — exactly what couples express in their vows. “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” Even though those words vary from couple to couple, last I checked, they are typically not followed by “except if I get tired of you, disagree with you, get annoyed with you or do not like you as much as I used to.”

The difference between covenant and traditional marriages lies primarily in the grounds for divorce. In marriage, couples should be so committed to one another, so full of unconditional love for each other, that they should not worry about the “what-ifs” of the future and the possibilities of divorce. If you are considering those possibilities, you may need to

Google Images

LIKED — Jeb Bush is popular in Florida. as well. After all, the U.S. has a long tradition of familial politics. Many members of the Roosevelt and the Kennedy families have paved the road to Capitol Hill, dominating both federal and state politics for decades. Yet this issue will continue to arise as Jeb Bush gives more indications of a presidential bid in 2016.

SUTHERLAND is an opinion writer. reevaluate whether you are ready to enter into a marriage.

I am not saying that divorce is always wrong. There are definitely circumstances that warrant divorce, and a covenant marriage does not prohibit divorce in those cases. Additionally, I do not hold those bound by a covenant marriage in higher regard than those who have traditional marriages. But if you are going to start a new family with that person, why not commit fully to that relationship through a covenant marriage?

To those hoping to get married in Arkansas, Louisiana or Arizona, why not sign on to a covenant marriage? Be all in, not worrying about how hard it may be to get a divorce if something goes wrong in the future. And to those across the nation already in traditional marriages and those hoping to enter into this kind of marriage, aim to stay fully committed to your spouse even in the hard times instead of thinking of how you may possibly get out in the future.

opinion

Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | A5

Pope affirms evolution Catholic leader causes uproar as he voices support for ‘Big Bang’ theory Ash Brownd ebrownd@liberty.edu

“When we read in Genesis the account of creation, we run the risk of imagining that God was a magician with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so.”

These words might sound as if they came from some controversial preacher. But they did not. They were spoken by Pope Francis to an audience from the Pontifical Academy of Science Oct. 27, according to Newsweek. In that speech, he officially affirmed that the Catholic Church believes in both evolution and the Big Bang theory, although with the addition of God into the equation.

“The Big Bang that today is considered to be the origin of the world does not contradict the creative intervention of God,” Francis said to his audience. “On the contrary, it requires it.”

Merriam-Webster defines the Big Bang as, “the cosmic explosion that marked the beginning to the universe according to the big bang theory.” Based on that definition, I am inclined to give that particular point to the pope. Genesis 1:1 (NIV) says, “God created the heavens and the earth.”

There is no explanation given of exactly how he did that. While I believe it to be unlikely, there is a possibility, however remote, that he chose to create our universe through the rapid expansion of highly condensed matter.

Francis then went into further detail about exactly how the universe was created.

He said creation was not one single event, but that it “went forward for centuries and centuries, millennia and millennia until it became what we know today.”

That was the part where Francis lost me.

His statement brings up two assertions, both of which I disagree with. The biggest issue, of course, is that of evolution. But hidden within that is another assertion — that creation itself took thousands of years.

Back to the first chapter of Genesis. The Bible clearly states creation as taking six days. In the NIV, each set of verses describing a day ends with, “And there was evening, and there was morning — the (fill in the blank) day.” According to God and Science, a website dedicated to showing evidence for God, there is some debate among scholars as to the meaning of the particular Hebrew word used to mean “day” because it can occasionally mean a long period of time. However, the fact that each day is described as having an evening and a morning seems to me to indicate pretty strongly that they were, in fact, literal days.

There is another point that convinces me each day was literal. According to Genesis

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CONTROVERSY — Pope Francis rattled Catholic and Protestant theologies by contradicting established fundamental creation story.

1:11, plants were created on the third day.

However, the sun, whose light plants need in order to survive, did not come into existence until day four. As the Institute for Creation Research points out, that would be fine so long as the days were actually literal. But if each day represented thousands of years, the plants would have died long before the sun came into being, let alone any other forms of life.

Putting all of that aside, the biggest issue I had with Francis’ speech was his assertion that evolution actually happened.

“Evolution in nature is not in contrast with the notion of divine creation because evolution requires the creation of the beings that evolve,” Francis said.

He went on to say that God has indeed used evolution to create the forms of life we know today. “(God) created beings and left them to develop according to the internal laws that he gave each one, so that they would reach their fulfillment,” Francis said.

This is an argument I have heard quite often in attempts to reconcile evolution and the Bible. Is it not possible that God simply created a handful of life forms and then guided evolution to do the rest? The short answer is yes. It is entirely possible.

But is that actually what happened? I believe the answer to be a resounding “No.” When Genesis 1 talks about the creation

of the plants, the sea life, the birds and the land animals, the NIV uses a variation of the phrase “God created them … according to their kind” each time. That sounds to me as if each type of animal was created specifically. Rather than making a few birds, a few fish and a few land animals, I believe God carefully created each type of animal.

The pope said God is not a magician, and I agree with him. God is far more powerful than a simple charlatan performing parlor tricks on the sidewalk. God created the entire universe. So why would a God with that much power create a prototype and then sit back and watch for thousands of years as it slowly turned into what he meant for it to be? Would he not simply jump straight to the final model? I know I would.

There is one final factor that leads me to believe God did not use evolution to perfect life. Near the end of each set of creation verses, the NIV says, “And God saw that it was good.” To me, that sounds like he was satisfied with his work. This is further evidenced by his resting on the seventh day. He was happy with his creation.

As a creative type myself, I know how critical creatives are of their own work.

We slave over a piece until we are satisfied.

Just the other night, I stayed up until 2 a.m. working on a Photoshop project because I wanted to be sure every detail was perfect.

Only when I was completely happy with

my creation did I allow myself to turn off the light and go to bed.

God is the master creator. Would he not be the same way? Why would he paint the canvas of our universe, call it good and then sit back and watch the canvas morph into what he really wanted it to be? As the very standard of perfection, would he not pour his heart into his work until he was completely satisfied? True, this is no scientific argument. It is only conjecture from a human mind whose love of creating is dwarfed into nothingness compared to that of her creator. But somehow I just cannot envision the being who created creativity itself as being satisfied with anything less than exactly what he set out to make.

In the end, the debate is not really about science versus religion or creationism versus evolution. At the end of the day, I believe it all comes down to this — do we accept the Bible, word for word, as the true and inerrant word of God, regardless of what the world tells us? That may be the most important question we ever ask ourselves. Do we believe it? There can be no middle ground, no riding of the fence. Either we believe or we do not. It is as simple as that.

BROWND is a copy editor.

CONVO CONNECTION Singer and songwriter Chris Tomlin set the tone for last week’s convocation by marshaling his talents and moving us with story and worship. As he sang, Tomlin helped us refocus on the grace and goodness of God. I was reminded this week of the significance of the simple yet profound fact that we are able to freely worship Jesus Christ in an educational institution such as Liberty.

KELLY As Christians, we are by default part of a great conflict because the world is by nature hostile toward God. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:12 makes it pretty clear, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Our sojourn through time in a world that is antagonistic to all that is godly is a battleground. Consider James 4:4, which tells us that “friendship with the world means enmity against God. Therefore,

anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Those are pretty stark lines that James has drawn there.

“Freedom’s not free. It comes at a cost.” These sentiments were heralded by David Nasser, and they have resonated in my heart and mind since he spoke them in Convocation last Wednesday in his introduction of retired Lt. Col. Oliver North.

The amount of respect and reverence our student body showed this brave man was astounding. But our standing ovations were motivated by all that he has accomplished in order to help secure that one vital thing on which this country stands firm — our freedom.

However, freedom does not guarantee safety. In fact, freedom invites danger.

Because at the very point when you feel free, the enemy is prowling around like a roaring lion ready to shackle you back in chains. And yet, there is no fear in this, because we know beyond doubt that Jesus died to break every chain and give

us abundant life here and now, as well as for eternity.

As I listened to the passion in North’s voice, I became overwhelmed by what God is doing here at Liberty University. North is a man that has clearly been impacted by his relationship with God. And is that not what we need and hopefully desire? We should long for people to look at us and realize that we have been impacted by our faith. Maybe that is why worshipping with Tomlin was so life changing — because he took me into the presence of Jesus. Even though I was with countless other people, I shared an intimacy with Christ then and there that shaped and defined me as having been deeply changed by Jesus’ love.

Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, gave our student body a new perspective on the will of God Friday. At some point, most have asked the question, “How can I know God’s will for my life?” I remember asking this question over and over again. My heart longs to do

B Y: E R I N K E L LY emkelly2@liberty.edu

what God has called me to do, but sometimes it is hard to determine what God’s will is. The truth is, we do not have to know because God will reveal his will for our lives in his timing, not ours.

Giglio described how God is not necessarily interested in our five or 10-year plans. Rather, he is interested in having a relationship with us. The most essential wiring in our human nature is the ability to have a relationship with the Father.

We only have one life to live. If we follow hard after Christ, we are guaranteed to find ourselves walking in his will. The question remains: are we willing to leave our comfort zone and forsake the things of this world for Christ? Are we willing to step out in faith into an unknown future?

Because there is one thing we can know for certain — God’s plan for our lives can never be thwarted.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO Emily Brown editor-in-chief

Tré Goins-Phillips

Ash Brownd

Meighan Thompson

opinion editor

copy editor

graphic designer

Gabriella Fuller

Alex Tichenor sports editor

PHOTOGRAPHY

Josh Gordon

graduate assistant

Tom Foote graduate assistant

Nate Haywood asst. sports editor

CONTENT

Sam Campbell

Dave Van Dyk news editor

Josh Janney asst. news editor

feature editor

Olivia Brown copy editor

Courtney Russo photography editor

Leah Seavers asst. photography editor DESIGN Breann Black graphic designer

social media manager

Jomer Bunque web manager

ADMINISTRATION Deborah Huff faculty advisor

Omar Adams advertising director

The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University.

Send letters to: Liberty Champion Liberty University, Box 2000, Lynchburg, VA 24515 or drop off in DeMoss Hall 1035.

All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received— according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement. © Copyright 2014 Liberty University, Inc. All Rights Reserved

news

A6 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Trespassing: train tragedy Death of Jon Gregoire marks third fatality on James River trestle in three years Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

The death of Liberty University senior Jon Gregoire, 21, Saturday, Nov. 8 marked the third train-related death at a trestle in downtown Lynchburg in the past three years.

Gregoire was pronounced dead at the scene of the trestle after being struck by a northbound, mixed-freight train around 4 p.m.

The trestle lies 200 feet above the James River and spans 1,800 feet across the width of the river. Between 20 and 30 trains cross the trestle, which connects Lynchburg and Madison Heights, every day.

Almost exactly three years ago, Liberty freshman Hannah Williams, who was 18, was killed at the same trestle when she was hit by a train. In October of 2012, a Lynchburg man died the same way.

At least five other people, including four Liberty students, were injured in two of the three incidents.

In the case of Gregoire, no one knew he and others were on the trestle until the train operator spotted them, according to Robin Chapman, spokesman for Norfolk Southern Railway. At that point, the train operator could do nothing to prevent the collision.

“By the time the train crew sees someone on the trestle, it’s too late to stop,” Chapman said.

“The train operator will sound the horn, put on the emergency brakes, but physics just won't let it happen.”

According to Chapman, signs marked “No Trespassing” are posted on both sides of the onetrack-wide trestle.

“We’ve got fences up there,”

STUDENT continued from A1 something that I want to emulate, because he’s emulating Christ.”

Junior Scotty Schafer, who was a member of Gregoire’s prayer group, explained Gregoire’s influence as he served on hall leadership. “(T)he fact that Jon spent his junior year off campus and moved back onto campus this year feeling that God wanted him to come back on campus as a prayer leader means a lot to me,” Schafer said. “I think it shows that Jon was really looking for God’s direction in his life, and he wanted to serve (God) and do what God wanted him to do. …

Jon was, I think, what every prayer leader could be and should be. He was intentional. He cared about us. He loved us. He led by example.”

In addition to serving as a prayer leader, Schafer said Gregoire always looked for ways to encourage others.

“Jon was very outgoing,” Schafer said. “… He was very focused on ... (trying) to say hello to everyone. He was good at remembering people’s names. He smiled a lot. He interacted a lot with a bunch of people in great ways, particularly with guys on the hall.”

Schafer added that seeing Gregoire’s example of love for God pushed him to strive after the Lord in the same way.

“If I could live half of how Jon lived, I feel like I could be content. I feel like I would be serving Jesus well, ” Schafer said. “… If I loved Jesus half as much as Jon loved Jesus, I feel like I’m doing pretty good.”

Freshman Isaac Shubert III, who was also a member

Alyssa Bockman | Liberty Champion

TRESTLE — Approximately 1,800 feet of Norfolk Southern train track runs above the James River, and pedestrians are banned from the track.

Chapman said in a News & Advance article. “We’ve got great big signs warning them of the dangers, that it’s dangerous and illegal.”

Chapman explained that the south end of the trestle is not easily accessible in an article on WDBJ 7’s website. According to Chapman, access to the trestle is blocked via a chain-link fence and double-locked gate. On this end of the trestle, two large signs explain the dangers of entering the trestle and that deaths have occurred at the location in the past.

The north end of the trestle is easily accessible, however. Only signs marked “No Trespassing”

warn pedestrians against entering the trestle, the article states.

According to the News & Advance article, violations of the railroad’s 50-200 feet right-of-way, except at public or private crossings, are considered trespassing and can be punished as a class four misdemeanor under the Code of Virginia.

BROWN is the editor-in-chief.

Alyssa Bockman | Liberty Champion

VIOLATION — Trespassing is a class four misdemeanor in Virginia.

“

If I could live half of how Jon lived, I feel like I could be content. I feel like I would be serving Jesus well. ... If I loved Jesus half as much as Jon loved Jesus, I feel like I'm doing pretty good.

— SCOTTY SCHAFER

of Gregoire’s prayer group, affirmed that Gregoire became more than just a hall mate to the men of Floor Six. “Jon was a man after God’s heart,” Shubert said. “… When I (saw) him, I (thought), ‘That’s what I wanna do. That’s what I want to be.’ … He did things a brother would do, not just as a friend. He went past a friendship. He saw me as his little brother, took care of me, made sure I was OK, always checked on me, gave me inspirational phrases or inspirational words from scripture. … I respected him a whole lot.”

The men and women who lived on Gregoire’s floor held a special worship session Sunday night, Nov. 9 to honor Jon and support one another in the grieving process.

Gregoire’s parents flew in to participate in a candlelight vigil, which was held at 8 p.m. Monday at the front steps of DeMoss Hall.

According to the Liberty news release, the Campus Pastors team is currently meeting with students affected by the tragedy, and counseling is available through Liberty’s Student Counseling Services.

Victoria Bridges, a 21 year old from Newport News, Virginia, was also injured in the accident.

Bridges was released from

Lynchburg General Hospital by 11 a.m. Sunday after being airlifted immediately following the event, according to an article in the News & Advance. Bridges was not a Liberty student.

Although it is unclear how many others were with Gregoire and Bridges at the time, no one else was injured.

Saturday’s accident marks the second train-related death of a Liberty student in the past three years. In November of 2011, freshman Hannah Williams was struck and killed by a train at the same trestle.

BROWN is the editor-in-chief.

A special memorial service will be held during Convocation Wednesday, Nov. 10 following Monday's candlelight vigil.

Students are encouraged to dress respectfully and write notes of encouragement to Gregoire’s parents and older brother.

INTERVIEWING FOR

SUMMER CAMP JOBS DATE:

november 6th-7TH TIME:

From 10am to 4pm LOCATION:

demoss hall

news

Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | A7

Professor delivers lecture Gary Habermas speaks on theological topics of resurrection and afterlife Quinn Foley qfoley@liberty.edu

Google Images

WORLDVIEW — Gary Habermas lectured and answered questions from crowd.

VOTES continued from A1 the House races, with Gillespie ultimately losing to Warner by 16,301 votes. In the 13 House seats up for election across Virginia, two districts went unchallenged to Democrats, with two others voting Democrat. The rest went Republican.

Lynchburg City voters turned out in large numbers with just below 20,000 ballots being cast for the Senate race. Gillespie garnered 10,627 of the votes, while Warner received 8,284 votes. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis gained 461 votes, and 23 write-ins were cast.

Larry Provost, an official with Student Affairs, spoke of the importance Liberty students had on the impact of Gillespie’s campaign.

“Liberty’s precinct voted, percentage wise, the most over-

More than 50 people came out to the Jerry Falwell Library Terrace Conference room Nov. 6 to hear Dr. Gary Habermas lecture as a part of the faculty book series.

From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Habermas lectured on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the afterlife and near-death experiences.

Habermas, who has either authored or edited more than 35 books and has contributed to more than 100 articles, spoke on the subject of one of his books, “Beyond Death.” The lecture focused on the afterlife as Habermas discussed three important questions: Is there evidence for an afterlife?

What would that look like in Christianity?

What role does an afterlife play in the lives of Christians?

Students listened as Habermas prompted the crowd with theological and philosophical questions to make them think critically.

“Next to the question of God, the question of the afterlife is probably the most important question you can ask

whelmingly for Gillespie,” Provost said. “If our students had not voted, it would have been almost 50/50 for Warner and Gillespie in the city of Lynchburg.

Our student vote had the effect of putting Gillespie well over the halfway point for Lynchburg.”

Liberty students voted heavily for Gillespie with 1,181 votes.

Warner received 44, while Sarvis trailed behind with 31.

Liberty students turned out in larger numbers in the previous general election in 2012, with 3,266 ballots cast for the Senate race. A large reason for the big turnout during that season was the presidential races that were being conducted during the same time.

Montgomery Pace, chairwoman of the College Republicans at Liberty University, emphasized the exemplary efforts made by fellow students to inform and educate the campus concerning candidates and their values.

for framing this world,” Habermas said.

Habermas also explained the importance of belief in an afterlife.

“An afterlife isn’t just for Christianity, but it is an important worldview question,” Habermas said.

Along with lecturing about the afterlife, Habermas took time to share part of his testimony about how the resurrection of Jesus Christ saved him from his own doubts earlier in life.

“If the resurrection is true, then Jesus’ teachings are true,” Habermas said.

Habermas is currently working on his 40th book. Twenty of his books are about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The resurrection not only shows there is an afterlife, but also what kind,” Habermas said.

After teaching on the resurrection, Habermas went on to lecture about neardeath experiences. He shared many stories about near-death experiences that happened to his own friends and colleagues.

After the lecture, Habermas continued to answer questions from the crowd regarding

“The get-out-to-vote efforts on Election Day were the most expansive ever conducted at Liberty,” Pace said. “Over 50 student volunteers from the Student Government Association, College Republicans and other clubs on campus were assigned a shift to go to a specific area of campus and hand out fliers encouraging students who were registered to go to the Vines Center and vote. They talked with students about the significance, and several groups even went dorm to dorm reminding students about the election.”

Pace also talked of the extensive efforts made before and during election day as a final push to encourage submitting a ballot.

“Other efforts included a special tabloid put together by the Champion released the day before the election informing students about the candidates on the ballot and significance of the on-campus precinct,” Pace said. “Food

beliefs of other theologians and pastors, and even answered questions about neardeath experiences of family members of those in the crowd.

FOLEY is a news reporter.

FYI

For more information on Gary Habermas, his books or his theology, visit garyhabermas.com.

The website includes additional information on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, near-death experiences and doubt. Garyhabermas.com also offers two free online books.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

CIVIC DUTY — Students wait to cast ballots for midterm elections. was available all day outside the Vines Center. This was simply to attract students to the Vines Center, not a pre-requisite for voting.”

“Liberty University does not endorse candidates for public office,” Provost said. “... but we wholeheartedly believe that

students should render unto Caesar and vote their deeply held values.”

VAN DYK is the news editor.

news

A8 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Louie Giglio preaches Famous pastor joins College for a Weekend to speak to Liberty students Ben Lin bclin@liberty.edu

Louie Giglio, founder and pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, drew thousands of students and visitors to the Liberty University Vines Center Friday, Nov. 7 with his Convocation message.

“I’m gonna blow up the myth that there’s some sort of magic dot on a map that you have to decipher to find God’s will for how you’ll live,” Giglio said.

That statement summarized a large portion of his message, as the 56-year-old pastor rebuked the idea of a “five-year plan” in God’s eyes.

“God never says, ‘Hey, I want to give you a 60-day blueprint,’” Giglio said. “God says, ‘Hey, step out.’”

Regardless of human plans or designs, Giglio promised that pursuit of God-given passions would lead believers to the Christ’s ultimate destination for them. He encouraged the student body to “step out into the complete unknown with God.” Giglio delivered his message to a Vines Center filled with students and nearly 3,000 guests. Due to the overflow of people, many listened to the message while sitting on the floor or standing near the entrances.

Liberty sophomore Brianna Young, who had never heard Giglio speak before, was impressed.

“He definitely relates to college students,” Young said.

“He made me want to go to a Passion Conference.”

Freshman Kat Maunkea found Giglio to be a very engaging speaker and felt he was very informative for the high school and college students attending College for a Weekend.

Liberty alumnus Mark DeMoss, who is a member of Passion City Church, introduced Giglio. DeMoss praised Giglio’s ability to reach young adults and inspire them

through his tours.

DeMoss was introduced by Liberty Flames kicker John Lunsford, who recently broke DeMoss’ old kicking record with an impressive 60-yard field goal in the recent Liberty homecoming game. The kick also broke the Big South Conference record for field goals.

In honor of the occasion, Lunsford presented DeMoss with a broken vinyl record with the inscription “Records are meant to be broken.”

For more information on Louie Giglio and Passion City Church visit www.passioncitychurch.com.

LIN is a news reporter.

Joel Coleman| Liberty News Service

STEP OUT — Louie Giglio gives advice on life.

Santorum speaks out Former presidential candidate criticizes the government for foreign policy Tré Goins-Phillips dgoinsphillips@liberty.edu

Rick Santorum, a 2012 presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania senator and current CEO of EchoLight Studios, spoke for the first time at Liberty University’s

Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion

U.S. — Rick Santorum challenges leaders.

Convocation Monday, Nov. 10.

Following midterm election season, the senator’s speech was focused on foreign policy and religious liberty. Highlighting on how his faith has guided his policy-making, Santorum echoed the necessity for religion in the public square.

“Faith is (central) to who I am, so, of course, (my faith) is integral to every decision I make,” Santorum said. “But in America today, we see faith under assault here at home and we see an assault around the world. Religious liberty is declining in the world.”

Santorum insisted that faith must govern all facets of decision-making, urging students to reject the idea that religion causes war. He described a time in the United States — at the fall of Communist Russia — when the government was not “afraid to call evil, evil.”

“We are no longer as bold at identifying and confronting evil,” Santorum said. “This month is the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. … Communism had been defeated. The Berlin Wall had fallen, and thus ended a century of bloodshed. You will hear people say, ‘Religion causes more conflict’ … (but) if you look at the 20th century, look at Nazism, fascism, communism, Japanese Imperialism — all atheistic.

None of them constrained by God’s laws.”

Santorum was critical of both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama for perpetuating the decline of religious presence within the U.S. government’s decisions on foreign policy.

Santorum shared legislation that he passed during his time in Congress, urging then-President Bush to openly address the war in Iraq as what the senator believed to be a religion-centered war. The

statesman called for clarity in the government’s efforts to counteract radical Islam in Iraq and Syria as well as insisting on a robust military.

“We do need — absolutely need — a strong military,” Santorum said. “We also need strong policies to back up that might.”

Santorum ended his speech by telling students “secularism is creeping here,” pointing out that, according to a Harris poll, there has been a decrease in the amount of people who say they believe in God, from 82 percent in 2009 to 74 percent today.

“Take the fire that I know is here,” Santorum said of Liberty’s Christian atmosphere. “Nurture it, understand it — understand your religious liberties.”

GOINS-PHILLIPS is the opinion editor.

COMING AUGUST 2015 View: noun (vyoo) A sight or prospect, typically of attractive natural scenery, that can be taken in by the eye from a particular place.

The Vue: noun (vyoo) An exciting student community where the grass really is greener on the other side.

ww w.T h eVueAt L ib e r t yMount a i n .c om

SPORTS

November 11, 2014

Field Hockey Liberty

Stanford

1

0

Volleyball Campbell

3

M. Soccer

M. Soccer

Liberty

Liberty

1

2

B1

Campbell

W. Soccer

Liberty

High Point

Liberty

Campbell

1

0

2

1

1

Golf swings

Liberty 34, Monmouth 24

2014 team experience a year of success Dalton Britt dbritt10@liberty.edu

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

BIG NIGHT— Running back D.J. Abnar powers past the Monmouth defense for his first of two touchdowns against the Hawks.

Flames clip Hawks D.J. Abnar carries the Flames to their fourth-straight victory Nate Haywood nahaywood@liberty.edu

Two games. That is all the Liberty Flames football team (7-3, 3-0 Big South) currently needs to win in order to reclaim the Big South Championship after defeating the Monmouth Hawks (5-4, 0-3 Big South), 3424, Nov. 8.

After Monmouth deferred the coin toss, Flames quarterback Josh Woodrum took the field and led his offense with relative ease.

An 18-yard pass to senior wide receiver Gabe Henderson got the offense clicking.

After Woodrum connected with the senior tight end, Dexter Herman, for 20 yards, the Flames found themselves in the red zone. In prime position to score, the

Flames pounded away at the Monmouth defense until they had the ball at the Hawks five-yard line. Woodrum handed the ball off to Abnar, who took it to the endzone for his eleventh rushing touchdown of the season and gave the Flames the early 7-0 lead.

Putting up points early was vital. Heading into the game, the Flames were undefeated when scoring first, and they kept that streak alive Saturday.

The Hawks took the field and used their very first drive to run a play that fooled nearly everyone in the stadium, especially the Flames defense.

Down by seven early, Hawks redshirt senior quarterback Brandon Hill pitched the football to a receiver in motion, who then pitched the ball to sophomore receiver Matt Choi for the double reverse. It appeared that

Choi was going to run the ball. But instead, he stepped back and found a wide-open tight end Hakeem Valles for a 68-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7.

Monmouth’s perfect execution of the reverse was something the Flames did not anticipate.

“They ran a couple different reverses out of a couple of different formations that we had not seen before,” Flames Head Coach Turner Gill said. “… You’ve got to have discipline.”

With five minutes left in the first, Gill and the Flames faced a tough fourth-and-one situation. Woodrum handed off to Abnar , who broke free and got the first down but was then surrounded by a host of Hawks, who

See CLIP, B4

Hockey hunts Hens Flames split home series against University of Delaware Hens Ryley Rush rarush@liberty.edu

It was a tale of two games as Liberty University’s men’s Division I (DI) hockey team split their Nov. 7-8 weekend series against the University of Delaware 1-1.

After dropping the first game 6-4 despite an early three-goal lead, neither players nor coaches had much to say.

“It feels a bit like déjà vu at this point,” captain and senior defenseman Matt Sherry said.

“It’s a mentality problem. We’ve had success in getting early leads, but then we lay off and don’t execute afterwards. We have

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

Delaware 6, Liberty 4 Liberty 5, Delaware 1

to play 60 minutes of hockey.”

Senior forward Ryley Egan kicked off the Flames first-period scoring frenzy on a pass from freshman forward Colt Steele.

Alternate captain and senior forward Lindsay LeBlanc scored soon after with help from Steele and Sherry, and freshman forward Luke Simon found the back of the net in the final minutes with help from freshmen defenseman Ben Hughes and forward Luke Hannon.

When the puck dropped for the start of the second period, though, the Flames saw their lead

See TAKES, B2

Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion

THE CHASE — Forward Luke Simon hawks down opponent.

The 2014 Flames fall season served as a teaching tool for a young Liberty golf team. After losing five seniors from the team last year, the Flames were paced much of the year by underclassmen and newcomers to college golf. Led by its sole senior Mathieu Fenasse, Liberty continued to get better and ended up placing second at its last tournament at Kennesaw State.

Head Coach Jeff Thomas said that although his team is young, he feels as though they improved throughout the year.

“We graduated five seniors, and so we’ve got a lot of young and new players,” Thomas said. “Every tournament but one this fall, we started four freshman out of the five.”

Thomas said he is very optimistic about the results this fall and what the future holds.

“I think (this season) is going OK,” Thomas said. “The guys are getting used to it, and they’re getting ready for the spring.”

Liberty struggled in its first two events, placing no player higher than ninth. But then, the Flames started to turn it around at the Rod Myers Invitational at Duke, where Liberty finished tied for fifth on the first day of competition. The Flames also found success at Kennesaw State to finish the year. “(East Carolina was) ranked 18th in the nation and we finished second (at Kenesaw State),” Thomas said. “That was our biggest pickerupper of the year right there.”

Freshman Isaiah Logue was named Big South Freshman of the Week for his 4-under par performance at Kennesaw State.

Unlike other sports, the golf season is split up between fall and spring, with a break during winter, because playing conditions can be harsh during the colder months.

Liberty will now use the next few months to prepare for its spring season. The Flames hope to continue their habit of peaking during this time and winning the Big South Tournament Championship — which has been the case three out of the last four years.

“We definitely want to come back and win the Big South and go to (NCAA) regionals,” Thomas said. “We want to get ourselves ranked, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Liberty begins its journey for a championship Feb. 2 at the Sea Best Invitational in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida. The two-day event will be hosted by Jacksonville University and will take place at TPC Sawgrass-Valley Course.

BRITT is a sports reporter.

Football vs. CSU

Field Hockey vs. Richmond

M. Basketball vs. Randolph

W. Basketball vs. Charlotte

Volleyball vs. GWU

Nov. 15 @ 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 @ 2 p.m.

Nov. 14 @ 8: 30 p.m.

Nov. 14 @ 6 p.m.

Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.

Follow @LUChampSports for Flames athletics coverage

sports

B2 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Liberty 1, High Point 0 (2OT)

NorPac champs Lady Flames win back-toback titles Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

and immediately work that hard — forecheck, backcheck, taking hits and really wanting to win.”

Bakker also added that he was proud about the collective team effort.

“Today we told ourselves that we were going to play a full 60, and a full 60 hard,” Bakker said, who recorded six blocked shots alone on the night in a defensive effort. “We wanted to play hardnosed hockey, hitting the corners and scaring them away from the puck, and I think we did that. …

Hard work is contagious.”

The team looks to maintain the mentality they showed in game two next weekend at home against Stony Brook University, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15.

For the second straight year, a top-10-ranked Stanford team stood between Liberty field hockey and an NCAA Tournament berth, and for the second straight year, the Lady Flames emerged victorious.

Sarah Gipe scored the lone goal of the Northern Pacific (NorPac) Championship final just under four minutes into the match, deflecting Natalie Barr’s shot past Cardinal goalkeeper Dulcie Davies and then the Lady Flames defense did the rest. Lady Flames goalie Mallory Cuccio tallied her fourth shutout of the season, only having to face three shots on goal in a 1-0 Lady Flames victory that clinched back-to-back NorPac Tournament Championships. Gipe was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, scoring two goals and notching an assist in the Lady Flames semifinal matchup with California to go along with her tournament-winner.

In only four years of existence as a Division I program, the Lady Flames now have two conference titles to call their own.

The Lady Flames secured a home play-in matchup Nov. 12 with Richmond, where Lady Flames Head Coach Jodi Murphy was an assistant before taking the head job at Liberty. If the Lady Flames can get past the Spiders, they will make the trip to Chapel Hill to take on No. 1 North Carolina, who embarrassed the Flames 4-0 earlier in the year.

Unlike the leadup to their previous matchup, when the Lady Flames had lost two games in a row before heading into their matchup with the Tar Heels, Liberty would be riding a fivegame winning streak heading into a potential matchup with UNC. In fact, the last time the Lady Flames were on the losing side of things, it was at the hands of the Tar Heels.

The Lady Flames are hoping to avoid their fate from last year, when they lost their playin game with Delaware after a one-goal victory over Stanford in the NorPac Tournament Championship game. With the emergence of Gipe as a potent scorer, things should not stall out on offense the way they did a year ago in a 1-0 loss to the Blue Hens. The Lady Flames go into their contest with Richmond second in the country in goals per game with 3.59.

The Lady Flames have scored at least five goals in eight of their 20 games.

RUSH is a sports reporter.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

BIG SAVE — Senior goaltender Scott Sutarik elevates for one of his three saves, which led to his sixth shutout of the 2014 season.

Flames win late Wilson’s score in the 100th minute gives Flames the victory Sarah Rodriguez srodriguez70@liberty.edu

In its final regular-season match of the season Saturday, Nov. 8, it seemed as if the Liberty men’s soccer team (11-5-1, 6-3 Big South) would head into the Big South Tournament with a tie against the visiting High Point Panthers (9-7-2, 6-2-1 Big South).

With 100 minutes of scoreless play in the books, Flames junior forward Sachem Wilson broke the tie and netted the game-winning goal, giving the Flames the 1-0 victory.

Wilson’s shot into the lower left corner of the net was assisted by junior defenseman/midfielder Glodi Konga and junior forward Tyler Bullock. Wilson’s seven goals are enough to lead the team this season.

After heading into the first overtime deadlocked at 0, Flames Head Coach Jeff Alder was

TAKES continued from B1 evaporate as the Blue Hens netted four unanswered goals. They scored a fifth midway through the final period.

The Flames rallied in the third with inspiring effort, and Division II (DII) forward Peter Kazmierczak, called up due to injuries plaguing the DI roster, scored a fourth goal on an assist from junior forward Tyson Street. It was not enough to change the outcome of the game, though, and the Blue Hens scored once more as time expired.

With no statistics or glaring errors on which to blame the loss, Handy and his team admitted they needed a mindset shift.

The Flames answered their intangible problem in resounding fashion just one day later. Liberty

confident his team could pull out the victory.

“Our mindset (before overtime) was to put them under pressure, under duress,” Alder said. “We felt there was a goal out there to find. … Both teams had chances, but I really felt that at the end of the game, we created some chances. So going into overtime, our mindset was go find a goal, go find a game winner and leave this home field with a great taste in everyone’s mouth.”

The Flames, fueled by tough defense through the entire game, held the Panthers to just seven shots in the match, with none coming in overtime.

Even though the Flames had already locked up the fifth seed in the Big South Conference Tournament, Alder was looking for momentum heading into their postseason matchup.

“You want to be peaking and playing well in November,”

Alder said. “We had a couple tough losses in the middle (of the season), … but we found our legs, and we found ourselves again and kind of created a new identity down the stretch. Our mindset today was we were playing for a win today to propel us forward into the tournament.”

Wilson is confident in his team’s ability to take this momentum and be successful in the Big South Conference Tournament.

“In the postseason, it’s all defense,” Wilson said. “If we can fight and just want it more in both boxes than they do, … we can go pretty far.”

Bullock acknowledged the poise and hard work, the Flames will need to continue their fivegame conference win streak.

“We need to make sure we are disciplined 100 percent of the game, because if we turn off for one second, it’s going to penalize us,” Bullock said.

beat Delaware 5-1 in a charge led not so much by the usual playmakers, but the third and fourthstring hustle players.

“Every team has to have the guys who go out there every night and just battle,” Steele said.

“Tonight, we’re finally getting rewarded. We’re starting to play as a team.”

LeBlanc scored five minutes into the game on a power play, assisted by senior defenseman Cam Bakker and Hannon, and the Blue Hens evened things up not long after.

One long stretch of back-andforth play later, defenseman Chase Harris found the back of the net with assists from Egan and freshman forward Paul Lamourex on a mid-second period power play.

Steele drove to the net for an unassisted goal to kick off the third period, and senior forward

Christian Garland got one of his own with help from Hughes and Kazmierczak. He returned the favor for Harris with eight minutes left in the game, passing the puck to junior forward Kyle Garcia to assist the Flames fifth and final goal of the evening.

“The guys that I play with just want to win,” Garland said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to win, so we go out and do our jobs and work hard and hope it’s infectious.”

Garland was also quick to praise DII call-ups Kazmierczak and junior forward Paul Ingles for their effect on the team’s overall attitude.

“They come in and they work hard, and I mean, no one wants to be outworked by guys who come in with nothing to lose, right?” Garland said.

“Really, it’s pretty inspiring to see two or three guys come in

As the Flames look forward to postseason play, Alder acknowledged the successes of his team through the regular season that will propel them in their upcoming tournament. “(I’m) very proud of their ability to overcome adversity, because we have dealt with some tough setbacks,” Alder said. “The ups and downs of the season … present different challenges for you to grow hopefully in your faith in God … (and) in your faith in each other. I think through this, God has allowed us to grow and mature as a group. I loved the way we finished.”

The Flames will begin their run at the Big South Tournament title Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. against the fourth-seeded Winthrop Eagles in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

RODRIGUEZ is a sports reporter.

sports

Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | B3

Lady Flames fall short Women’s soccer runs through Big South playoffs, lose in the championship Cierra Carter cmcarter18@liberty.edu Nate Haywood nahaywood@liberty.edu

The Liberty Lady Flames soccer team — the No. 1 seed in the tournament and regular-season conference champion — ended its season in disappointing fashion when it failed to defend its Big South Conference (BSC) Championship. The Lady Flames fell in a penalty-kick shootout against High Point Panthers Sunday, Nov. 9.

In the quarterfinals Nov. 2, Liberty took on the eighth-seeded Radford Highlanders, defeating them 2-0 for their ninth shutout of the season.

Junior midfielder Brittany Aanderud delivered the first goal in the 36th minute, assisted by junior midfielder Crystal Elmers and freshman forward Jennifer Knoebel.

Aanderud returned the favor in the 67th minute, teaming up with Alanna Dunkle to assist junior midfielder Madison Kauzlarich on the goal.

The Lady Flames took on the Campbell Camels in the BSC Semifinals Nov. 7, holding them off for the 2-1 victory. Knoebel and Elmers were both able to score within a minute of each other, giving Liberty the 2-0 lead. Campbell’s sophomore defender Nicole Connolly scored in the 76th minute on an assist from Alexis Prada, but the Lady Flames were able to hold them off Leah Seavers| Liberty Champion for the win.

CONTROL — Senior midfielder Rebeccah Smith maintains control of the ball in her final game as a Lady Flame.

Liberty then entered the BSC Championship game where they hoped to defend their conference championship. Last liberty.edu/flames. Kauzlarich and Elmers was responsible for the goal that saved the its next kick, but Kauzlarich missed the one Panthers’ season. The score was the first of after that. In the end, Paige Lloyd and Baiyear, Liberty defeated Radford 5-0 in the were the other two. ley Beattie each scored and gave High Point Around the 20th minute, High Point her collegiate career.

BSC Final.

After two scoreless overtime peri- the 2014 BSC Championship.

The Lady Flames went into the freshman forward Meredith Dunker put Kessler was named the BSC Tournament championship match having outscored the ball past Big South Defensive Player of ods, the championship was decided by a MVP. The Lady Flames finish the season the Year, Liberty goalie Holly Van Noord, penalty shootout. their opponents 36-12.

Each of the first three shooters scored 14-4-2.

To open the championship game against to tie the game at 1.

Seven minutes after halftime, Liberty re- their penalty kicks. However, senior MadHigh Point, Aanderud commenced scoring for the match. In the fourth minute, took the lead after Kauzlarich also scored die Boone, who was playing her last game she put the opening goal past High Point her sixth goal of the season, giving Liberty in a Liberty uniform, missed her shot, CARTER is a sports reporter. goalie Alex Persiani, increasing her total the one-goal lead. But once again, High which gave High Point the advantage.

Jacky Kessler kept the Lady Flames alive to six on the season. Aanderud was one Point tied the score with only four minutes after Van Noord prevented the High Point HAYWOOD is the asst. of three Lady Flames to make the Big left in the game.

High Point freshman Bri Jean-Charles midfielder from scoring. Liberty scored on sports editor.

South All-Tournament Team, according to

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sports

B4 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Tich’s Take Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

Rings, rings, rings.

When discussing the greatness of sports legends, everything comes back to the simple question of “how many championships have they won?” This is a silly devolution of years of progress in the fields of reasoning and logic. In other words — rings do not really matter. At least, not too much.

In team sports, winning a championship is obviously the ultimate goal. To win that title, a team has to have everything go right — building the team the right TICHENOR way, not running into the wrong team at the wrong time, avoiding injuries, etc. Teams seemingly destined to win it all fall short all the time because of the vast amount of variables that go into winning a title.

We want to judge the greatness of a single player based on his ability to win something that is team dependent, and that is wrong. Was it Charles Barkley’s fault that his prime coincided with Michael Jordan’s? Was it LeBron James’ fault that his best teammate during his first Cleveland stint was Zydrunas Ilgauskas? Ideal circumstance does not always coincide with a player’s prime years.

The reason rings are so important in many pundits’ minds is because it is the easiest way to quantify performing well when the stakes are the highest. But really it is a gross oversimplification. Do not get me wrong, playing big when the stakes are high is important, but winning a championship is not necessarily representative.

Tracy McGrady gets more than his share of flack for never winning a playoff series during his prime, even though his various supporting casts were about as useful as a threeweek-old bologna sandwich. From 2000-2007, before knee injuries effectively ended his career, McGrady was one of the best in the game, averaging 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists while boasting a 25.0 Player Efficiency Rating.

His teams made the playoffs during five of those seven seasons, despite Darrell Armstrong and Mike Miller “starring” as his best teammates during his Orlando stint. TMac also averaged more than 30 points per game in the postseason during that stretch, his team going just 3-6 when he scored more than 35. What else could he do?

As nonsensical as it is to blame or credit one player in basketball for team success — an individual player probably makes the biggest difference in basketball over any other team sport — it is even more ridiculous in football.

Eli Manning will probably be in the Hall of Fame one day because of his two Super Bowl rings, even though he has been a decidedly average quarterback for the majority of his career, leading the NFL in interceptions three times. Some people really were questioning whether Peyton or Eli was the better Manning after Eli’s second Super Bowl win. This actually happened.

The bling from the trophies and rings tends to skew the vision of many fans, and even experts, but the concept is simple — judge an individual by what he does as an individual. Would it make sense to evaluate a student mostly based on group projects? An intelligent person could make a bad grade because someone in the group did not pull his or her weight. The person is not a bad student because of the incompetence of others.

It is about time we put on some sunglasses and let the bling stop blinding us.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

Flames Home Conference Schedule Jan. 3, 2015

7p.m.

Jan. 10, 2015

7p.m.

Jan. 22, 2015

7p.m.

Jan. 29, 2015

7p.m.

Jan. 31, 2015

7p.m.

Feb. 10, 2015

8p.m.

Feb. 17, 2015

8p.m.

Feb. 26, 2015

7p.m.

Feb. 28, 2015

3p.m.

Presbyterian Coastal Carolina Winthrop High Point Charleston Southern Campbell Longwood Radford UNC-Asheville

Big South preview A look at this year’s crop of men’s basketball squads Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

1. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers The reigning Big South tournament champions return virtually every key player from last year’s squad, setting themselves up nicely for a repeat bid. Big-time schools will envy the Chants three-man backcourt of Warren Gillis, Josh Cameron and Elijah Wilson. African-born big men Badou Diagne and Michael Enanga will not put up flashy numbers, but they get the job done.

Also, announcers’ tongues will be in knots trying to pronounce the names of Chanticleers bench players Colton Ray-St Cyr and Uros Ljeskovic.

2. High Point Panthers Big South Player of the Year (POY) John Brown returns for his junior season and will wreak havoc on the conference once again. No Big South team has the personnel to match up with the athletic forward.

3. Radford Highlanders Just two years removed from an 0-16 season within the conference, the Highlanders went 10-6 in the Big South last year. Senior preseason all-conference selection Javonte Green is one of four returners who averaged double figures last season. Ten wins is certainly within reach again.

4. Winthrop Eagles Miniature 5-foot-7 guard Keon Johnson partners with another Keon — Keon Moore — to form a formidable backcourt

CLIP continued from B1 stripped and recovered the ball from the Flames running back. Monmouth, however, did not capitalize on the turnover.

The first quarter ended and the Flames had the ball near midfield. Abnar finished the first quarter with 14 carries, almost tripling Monmouth’s number of rushes.

Woodrum found his favorite target, wide receiver Darrin Peterson, 30 seconds into the second quarter for a 31yard touchdown, giving Liberty the 14-7 lead. Peterson increased his league-leading touchdown total to eight with this reception.

Similar to the first quarter, the Hawks marched down the field after Liberty scored. After Hill completed a 20-yard pass, sophomore running back Lavon Chaney torched the Flames defense for a 45-yard carry, putting the Hawks deep in Liberty territory. A few plays later, Hill found running back Jake Mauro to tie the game at 14.

The two teams were tied until the very end of the first half when John Lunsford chipped in a 24-yard field goal to give Liberty the three-point advantage.

Monmouth began the second half with the ball.

Hill led his offense quickly down the field, eventually getting within Liberty’s 10yard line. But a series of

in Rock Hill. The Eagles should look more like the Gregg Marshall-era teams that won eight Big South titles in 10 years than last year’s team that went 6-10 in the conference.

5. Charleston Southern Buccaneers Five-foot-eight Saah Nimley likes shooting, only he is not very good at it. The aggressive point guard shot only 35.9 percent from the field while taking a team-high 10.2 shots per contest. If he can score more efficiently and share the wealth with backcourt mate Arlon Harper, the Bucs will not be an easy out for anybody.

6. UNC-Asheville Bulldogs If there is anyone who could topple Brown as Big South POY, it is Bulldogs sharpshooter Andrew Rowsey. No freshman in the NCAA scored more than Rowsey’s 20.3 average last year. If the Lexington, Virginia, native gets hot, he can drop a ton of points in a short amount of time.

7. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs Stocky forward Jerome Hill might not be taller or longer than his opponents, but he is probably stronger. For those who like watching old-school, grind-it-out basketball, Hill is a treat to watch. Seven of the Bulldogs 10 conference wins last year were by single digits, so regressing slightly may be in the cards.

8. Campbell Camels The Camels lost all-name team veteran Leek Leek, (yes, Leek Leek), but strongly named star Reco McCarter is poised for a

defensive stops forced the Hawks to settle for three, tying the game once more.

This offensive shootout continued when Woodrum hit an unlikely target, senior wide receiver Jaquan Glover, for 30 yards in the very next drive. Soon after, Woodrum found Henderson for the 13yard touchdown, giving the Flames the 24-17 lead.

Each time Liberty scored in the first three quarters, Monmouth always responded with a scoring drive of its own. This drive was no exception. Hill passed to a variety of receivers to get the Hawks past midfield.

Less than two minutes after the Flames scored, Hill found wide receiver Darren Ambush streaking past a Flames cornerback and connected for the another game-tying score.

During the first drive of the fourth quarter, the Flames continued to give Abnar the ball, who was having his way against the Hawks defense. The Flames once again marched down the field, Abnar capping off the drive with a two-yard touchdown to give the Flames a 31-24 lead.

With eight minutes left in the fourth, and Monmouth’s offense constantly scoring, Gill needed his defense to make a play.

Hill dropped back and scanned the field. He picked a target, then released the football. However, Flames cornerback Justin Guillory

big senior season. Freshman arrival Nehemiah Mabson helps pick up the slack in the name category as well.

9. Liberty Flames After a disappointing follow-up to a surprise 2013 Big South Tournament run, the Flames will put a new-look squad on the floor for the 2014-2015 season. Nine of the Flames 14 players were not on the roster last year. Post-graduate transfer James Johnson will finally get an opportunity to play big minutes after playing sparingly at his previous stops at Virginia and San Diego State. With veteran guards John Caleb Sanders and Davon Marshall graduated, junior Joe Retic will be handed the keys to the offense.

10. Presbyterian Blue Hose The Blue Hose finished last in the conference last year and could do it again this year. Shooting guard Jordan Downing is a threat to lead the conference in scoring — he averaged 20.2 per game last year — but that is one of the lone bright spots for this team.

11. Longwood Lancers As a program, Longwood is still settling in, and losing three-year starter Tristan “T.T.” Carey will not help things. Transfers Quincy Taylor and Shaquille Johnson will provide a spark for second-year coach Jason Gee’s Lancers.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

jumped the route, but bobbled it, ultimately dropping the ball.

The Flames did get one more opportunity to get the ball back, however. Two plays after the drop, defensive lineman Chima Uzowihe penetrated the offensive line and got to Hill just as he was throwing the ball.

The ball came loose and the Flames recovered.

“We had to make some adjustments,” Gill said. “That’s what you got to do. You’ve got to make plays.”

Abnar continued his dominance as each rush chipped away at the clock and Monmouth’s defense.

A Lunsford field goal with three minutes left ended all scoring and any chance for a Hawks comeback.

Abnar finished with a career-high 39 carries, a feat that had not been reached in more than seven years.

Neither Callahan nor Gill expected to see the back’s surplus in touches.

“I knew we were going to ride (Abnar),” Gill said.

“But as far as having 30 to 40 carries, we will do whatever it is going to take to win football games.”

The Flames continue their race to a Big South Championship in their last home game this season against conference foe, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, Nov. 15.

HAYWOOD is the asst. sports editor.

Liberty vs. Monmouth

By the Numbers

9-0

Liberty’s record in the month of November since Turner Gill took over as head coach in 2012.

-4

Total yards for Monmouth’s offense in the fourth quarter.

5

Games with 100+ rushing yards for Flames running back D.J. Abnar this season.

1

Reception for All-Conference wide receiver Darrin Peterson.

feature

Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | B5

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feature

B6 | November 11, 2014 | Liberty Champion

STAGE continued from B8

Chris Gloag

THEATRICAL — Jamie Cloutier and Sarah Seaman participated in a Bible-based play, which debuted in England at the beginning of October.

London callback Alumni spread gospel by acting in “Love Beyond” musical overseas Emma Jane Maurer emaurer@liberty.edu

For many theatrical performers, having the chance to perform on Broadway or in London is the opportunity of a lifetime.

For two Liberty University alumni, Jamie Cloutier and Sarah Seaman, this dream came true, as they performed as part of the ensemble in the musical “Love Beyond” at the Wembley Arena in London Oct. 1-2.

According to Cloutier, the musical retells biblical stories from creation to Revelation. Richard Haley, the show’s creator, said in a Christianity Today article that the plot did not include every story from scripture and did not attempt to go into detail with particular scenes, but rather focused on the Bible as a whole.

Seaman was the first of the two to get involved with the production. Seaman’s journey with the production began six years ago on a mission trip to Guatemala with Liberty’s Spanish department. One of the girls on the trip, Bethany Davis, is the niece of one of the London City Team leaders for a ministry called ReachGlobal. Seaman said she had been praying for ministry opportunities in London.

MARKET continued from B8 offer,” Delligatti said.

Because of the success of this semester’s market, Delligatti said Sodexo will host the market in the spring as well.

He said he hopes to build patronage so that it will be sustained throughout the summer.

Delligatti found local vendors by attending the Lynchburg and Forest farmer’s markets. Some are small businesses run out

“I’m not certain of why London was placed on my heart by the Lord, but I know it was for a vital reason,” Seaman said. “For three years, I had been praying about how the Lord would bring me to London and to what degree.

One day, I was emailed the information about ReachGlobal from Bethany, who, to my knowledge, had no idea London was even on my radar. She merely felt it in her heart that I might be a good fit for the program under her aunt and uncle.”

According to Seaman, performing in London was not only a job, but also a chance to share her faith with others.

“ReachGlobal’s ministry, connected with the heartbeat of theater, could not be any closer to my dream of living that out in my life, let alone in London,” Seaman said. “Being a part of theater overseas and using it not only to perform but to share the gospel was something more than I could have ever imagined.”

Cloutier became involved in the project after hearing about it from Seaman.

Participating in the musical process gave both young women the opportunity to grow in their relationships with Christ.

“The very subject matter made

of vendors’ homes, such as Pure Goddess All Natural Soap & Body Care, which is owned and operated

by Darlene Guinan out of a kitchen in her home in Forest.

“Business here has been very good,” Guinan said. “I think people, especially college kids, are very interested in natural bath products.”

J.R. Bevely, owner and operator of Cupid’s Barbeque, got involved with the Liberty market after talking with Delligatti at

way to a continual state of worship in order to accurately and genuinely present the truth in this story without cheesiness or inauthenticity,” Seaman said. “It was like Bible study going to every rehearsal, (because) I was being spoken into with the knowledge and wisdom of biblical truths.”

According to Seaman, a biblical foundation gave her the ability to love others the way God loves them.

“The idea of meeting people where they are at and loving them past human judgment was something I really took away from the trip,” Cloutier said. “Not all of the cast was Christian, but for those that were, we were trying to present what we believe as truth.”

From her experience, Seaman also learned that taking the time to invest in the hearts of God’s children is what being a part of God’s family is all about and that it does not matter where someone is located in the world.

“Our need for him and his love and to spread that love is as real in America as it is anywhere else,” Seaman said.

Both actresses felt Liberty gave them a solid foundation for an opportunity to share the gospel. “(W)e had workshops concerning scene work with different

the Forest farmer’s market.

“I was honored that Anthony asked me to participate,” Bevely said. “I’ve met some wonderful people here, and I really like the college town.

Bevely said he thinks his food is pretty popular among students.

“I’ve noticed y’all like barbeque here,” Bevely said. “Some students never heard of it or tried it before, but end up liking it anyway. It’s also a good alternative to the typical college food sometimes,

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scenes, like the crucifixion, for example, so we capture the emotion accurately,” Cloutier said. “We also had workshops to work on different aspects of shows here at Liberty and Alluvion (a professional theater company partnering with Liberty).”

Seaman and Cloutier’s professors from Liberty helped them understand the realities of professional acting as well. “(Our professors) incorporated hard truths from the reality of this career, yet provided us the ability to perform each job above reproach and come at it with the heart of Christ,” Seaman said.

Seaman stressed the importance of putting her heart into each performance, something she learned while attending Liberty.

“The professors really pounded into us the reality of acting and not just performing,” Cloutier said.

Now that Cloutier is back in the United States, she is focusing on auditioning anywhere she can.

Seaman has chosen to remain in London in the hope that she can continue to use her theatrical talents abroad.

MAURER is a feature reporter.

especially for those students who don’t get off campus much.”

Bevely also said that participating in the Liberty market has helped his business.

“One week, I had a catering event scheduled by someone here,” Bevely said.

Bevely plans to return to Liberty’s market in the spring.

“I’ll be back with a new setup and some new products,” Bevely said. “I’ll have more sauces in addition to the three other signature meats I offer: chicken, brisket and sausages, in addition to the pulled pork I offered this year.”

Bevely encouraged students to buy barbeque sauces from his website cupidsbbq.com.

Although the market ends Thursday, Nov. 13, students will still be able to purchase from their favorite vendors via websites, stores and restaurants.

Lisa Gum, who runs The Artful Sojurn, which offers a collection of handmade jewelry and ac-

cessories, sells her products in seven different stores across Virginia.

She hopes to expand into other markets and stores throughout the country.

Customers can also purchase items from her Etsy shop (heartfulsojourn.wix. com/theartfulsojourn).

Christian Manck, who owns RiteBar Granola Bars hopes to sell his gluten-free products in stores soon.

Many of the vendors who participated this fall plan to return to Liberty’s market next semester.

Beaumont said he is pleased with the market’s success.

“The farmer’s market has been well received,” Beaumont said. “... We are looking forward to getting the farmer’s market going again in the spring.”

MAURER is a feature reporter.

Next up was Britt Nicole.

A rhythmic beat suddenly pounded through the darkness. Digital signs flashed the word “CLAP” over and over again. Nicole began singing “Amazing Life” — but she was nowhere to be seen.

The audience continued to clap along, but suddenly there was a pause in the music.

Everything was silent.

Seconds later, pillars of smoke erupted on stage as the music started again, and Nicole walked out for the first time. The crowd’s screams echoed around the Vines Center.

Although six months pregnant with her second child, Nicole did not let that slow her down. She grooved right along with her two backup dancers, sporting a gold jacket and black, flat-billed hat with the word “Royalty” stamped across the front.

“As you can see tonight, I have a second one on the way,” Nicole said. “I’m dancing up here and going crazy, so if I see anybody standing still, I am coming down there to getcha.”

As Nicole sang “The Lost Get Found,” she held a GoPro camera up and captured video of fans nearest the stage. Their faces and reactions were then live streamed to the giant screen behind her.

Nicole admitted she still gets nervous before a performance sometimes. She still wonders how God could use her to touch and impact so many lives. Nicole said God gave her a piece of scripture when she was 17 years old and still wondering if she was good enough.

“The scripture he gave me said, ‘Be strong and be courageous and do the work,’” Nicole said. “‘Don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged by the size of the task, because I am with you and I will never leave you and I will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).’”

Nicole also sang “All This Time,” which she said describes her personal testimony. She said it is about her as a little girl experiencing her parents’ divorce. She thought God could never heal her heart. But he did, and he has been with her ever since.

Nicole performed a wide range of songs, including “Breakthrough” and “Set the World On Fire.” She also took time and prayed throughout the show, asking God to lead each audience member and give them strength and courage.

“Your word says you haven’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of a sound mind,” Nicole said during one of her prayers. “God, tonight you are giving these young people power.”

Then it was time for the song that is arguably Nicole’s most popular to date — “Gold.”

“God wants you to know that he’s made you in his image, no matter what anybody else says,” Nicole said. “And that you truly are worth more than gold.”

Shouts and screams filled the Vines Center as Nicole introduced the song. The audience did not hesitate to sing along with the chorus: “This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world. Whatever you’ve been told, you’re worth more than gold.”

Toward the end of the song, Nicole and her dancers shot colorful streamers out into the audience. The crowd went wild, jumping up and down and singing even louder.

“Go out and change the world,” Nicole said as the song came to a close. “We love you. Thank you so much.”

CAMPBELL is the feature editor.

feature

Liberty Champion | November 11, 2014 | B7

Ditching the razors No Shave November supports fight against cancer by embracing facial hair Rachael Graf rgraf5@liberty.edu

There comes a time every year when leaves turn brilliant hues of red, orange and gold, fluttering softly to the ground, leaving brown trees stripped bare.

The time of year when foliage falls off trees, but facial hair certainly does not fall off the faces of many men at Liberty.

It is No Shave November: the month of bushy beards, glorious goatees and manly mustaches.

“I think it’s a good idea if people are doing it for the reason why it was started, but I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t know why it was started, and are doing it just because,” Brooke Schreiber, a freshman at Liberty, said. “If you want to, go for it. But I feel like it doesn’t really make sense doing it if you aren’t doing it for the reasons why it was first started.”

The organization No Shave November was created in 2009 by Rebecca Hill and Brett Ringdahl as a way to raise funds to fight against cancer, according to the organization’s website.

Four years later, in 2013, No Shave November partnered with the American Cancer Society to continue its mission: fighting against cancer and fighting for those who are battling the disease.

“No Shave November is a great time of year for men to embrace their manliness and let their true potential in facial hair shine,” Cameron Frye, a sophomore at Liberty, said. “Of the 11 other months of the year, men try to tone down their manliness. No Shave November is a time of year for men to fully grasp what their true potential is.”

Men have been growing facial hair since the dawn of time, and trends have changed over the

years. Recently, beard-growing has become a sport — bearding.

The World Beard and Moustache Championships were hosted in Portland, Oregon, earlier this month, with men competing for prizes in moustache, partial beard and full beard categories.

“A beard is a man’s face canvas,” Tim Hannon, a senior at Liberty, said. “It’s a form of expression. It’s a form of individuality.

You can be crazy with it, and it’s OK. A man with a beard shows a man of patience.”

For many, No Shave November signifies 30 days of facial hair freedom, a welcoming retreat from the monotonous world of shaving.

“I think more so than anything, No Shave November is something we do for fun,” Cale Baker, a sophomore at Liberty, said. “(It is) not anything we’re committed to on our lives, but it’s a thing bros do. Just to say, ‘Yeah, we’re all bros. We’re all growing out our beards.’”

Some men feel that No Shave November holds a deeper meaning, more than just growing facial hair.

“It’s an experience,” Josiah Holmes, a sophomore at Liberty, said. “Some people think of it as a right of passage. Specifically, in America, guys grow for different things. Growing your beard for No Shave November can basically symbolize that (you) are a man. It’s like the Super Bowl of facial hair.”

Not all men feel the same way, however.

“It is fun to just do it and to not shave at all,” Boone Benson, a junior at Liberty, said. “(But) just because you can grow a beard doesn’t mean you’re any more of a man. Your manhood isn’t defined by your facial hair. It’s

Rachael Graf | Liberty Champion

AU NATUREL — Many men allow their beards to grow out during No Shave November. defined by a lot more than that.”

Among Liberty students, facial hair — in all of its various forms — has become quite popular. The LU Beards Facebook page has more than 900 likes.

Recently, LU Beards issued a No Shave November challenge to the men of the Liberty University community via Facebook: “LU beards would like to invite all the men (sorry, not sorry, ladies) to grow and document their month and progress of their beard by posting a picture a week to this page, with a special prize at the end of the month to the individual with the most manly beard on campus.”

However, LU Beards is not open to just any man. In order to join the group, there is one requirement that must be met.

“It’s like a secret fraternity, I guess, that people can’t join unless they have (a beard),” T.J. Stump,

a senior at Liberty, said. “It’s a privilege to have this.”

Men grow and groom (or do not groom) their facial hair for certain reasons. For some, it is something fun to do, or a means of self-expression. For others, a beard carries a sense of wisdom and maturity.

“People really respect you with a bigger beard,” Stump said. “I can’t wait ’til I’m old and have a super long, white beard and people think I’m super smart and wise about everything and listen to me about all that I have to say.”

And, believe it or not, even ladies can get in on the No Shave November action, either by choosing not to shave their legs for a month or supporting the men around them.

“I was super opposed to beards ’til my boyfriend grew one for No Shave November two years ago.

I’m now a believer,” Adrianna

Scalazo, a junior at Liberty, said.

“Every man should participate in this annual celebration of the suburbs of the chin.”

No Shave November is a time for many guys and girls to sport the “au naturel” look.

“I love No Shave November,” Maria Kometer, a junior at Liberty, said. “… I think it’s fun. I normally like clean-shaven guys, but I think it is a fun way to relax and not take yourself too seriously. For girls it is a little more gross, but the same thing — it makes you take yourself less seriously and not obsess over the less serious things. And a goodlooking, outdoorsy guy in flannel with a great beard is always a good thing.”

GRAF is a feature reporter.

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B8

FEATURE

November 11, 2014

Call of Duty Alumnus saves a woman’s life Amber Tiller atiller2@liberty.edu

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

RHYTHM — Musicians for KING & COUNTRY and Britt Nicole held a concert at the Vines Center over the weekend.

Artists share stage for KING & COUNTRY and Britt Nicole perform for CFAW Sam Campbell scampbell75@liberty.edu

“Without further ado, please welcome to the stage, for KING & COUNTRY.” The crowd cheered as the band was introduced to the Vines Center for the first time Nov. 7. The stage was completely dark except for a single white spotlight illuminating Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone.

They began singing “To the Dreamers,” a song off their newest album “RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG.” As the music intensified, so did the lights.

A rainbow of colors exploded onto the stage as the sounds of drums and electric guitars suddenly roared through the speakers.

After the opening, the brothers performed songs from their first album “Crave.” As they sang “Fine Fine Life,” Luke Smallbone beat a marching bass drum and Joel Smallbone shook a tambourine, demonstrating the band’s passion for a wide variety of instruments.

“On the count of three, I want to see everybody jump,” Joel Smallbone said during the song.

The beat picked up, and after Joel Smallbone cried “three,” almost the entire audience began jumping up and down, keeping pace with the music.

As the song ended, Joel Smallbone addressed the women in the audience. He shared

a piece of advice he and the band are very passionate about.

“To you ladies, young and old, don’t let any man disrespect you in relationships,” Joel Smallbone said. “Don’t ever settle for second best.”

Joel Smallbone said the band members wear necklaces with an Australian coin attached to remind them that women are priceless. He then reached down and handed a girl in the front row his bracelet, which had the words “Respect” and “Honor” engraved on it.

Many shrill screams followed.

Joel Smallbone then spoke directly to the men who were present.

“Fellas, it starts with us, doesn’t it?” Joel Smallbone said. “It’s time for us to step up. … Our chivalry is alive and well. Let’s treat these ladies as they deserve to be treated, with respect and honor.”

The band got up close and personal during the next song, “Middle of Your Heart.”

Luke Smallbone and other band members stood on pedestals scattered throughout the audience as they played their drums and guitars. Joel Smallbone continued to sing, taking pictures with excited fans as he weaved through the rows of seats wrapping around the Vines Center.

College for a Weekend (CFAW) attendee Meghan Hengry said this kind of interaction is one of the reasons she is a fan.

“I love how each time (they perform) they show the same energy and reach the crowd, and I really love how they go and take selfies and just really interact with the crowd,” Hengry said.

The brothers also discussed Luke Smallbone’s battle with a digestive disorder last year. At six-foot-four-inches tall, the condition had dropped him down to a measly 125 pounds, forcing him to stay off the road for more than two months.

“I went through some of the darkest days and weeks of my life … and my wife thought there was a chance she could lose me,” Luke Smallbone said. “One particular night, she came to me and said, ‘Luke, you just can’t leave me here.’”

But even in the midst of his trial, Luke Smallbone said God gave him hope. He learned that God can turn a difficult circumstance into something miraculous.

“Even with this disease, if this disease was to take me, it would take me as a hope-filled man,” Luke Smallbone said.

That experience inspired the song “Without You,” a duet he sings with his wife on the band’s new album.

After performing “Fix My Eyes,” the lights were extinguished and everything went black as the band left the stage.

See STAGE, B6

Farmer’s market finale Local vendors see success after bringing businesses to Liberty Emma Jane Maurer emaurer@liberty.edu

With the change in seasons becoming more noticeable, the Liberty Farmer’s Market is wrapping up its first season Thursday, Nov. 13.

The farmer’s market was the brainchild of Sodexo District Manager Anthony Delligatti. Delligatti offered four reasons for creating the market. “(We) wanted to introduce local farmers and their produce to the Liberty community,” Delligatti said. “(We) also wanted to expose the students to the (importance of) supporting local businesses. (Third,) we wanted to expose them to what Lynchburg and the surrounding towns had to

Ellie Fraser | Liberty Champion

PRODUCE — The farmer’s market finishes its first season at Liberty. offer. (Lastly, we wanted to teach them the importance of) being sustainable and working within the carbon footprint.”

Delligatti began a farmer’s market for college

students when he worked at a branch of Sodexo in New England. When he came to Liberty, he realized Lee Beaumont, senior vice president for Auxiliary Services, had the

same idea. Together, they worked with Alicia Cripe from the Liberty Campus Garden to organize the event.

Delligatti’s goals for the market seem to

have worked this season.

“As the market has grown, we have seen a larger percentage of the Lynchburg community frequenting the market,” Delligatti said. “(This) has enabled the interaction of Liberty students within the local community. Students are developing relationships with the local farmers and artisans.”

Delligatti said vendors have experienced strong interactions with students who attend the Liberty market. “(The vendors) have seen students at the Lynchburg and Forest markets, which has enabled (the students) to really see what the surrounding areas have to

See MARKET, B6

An innocent trip to the sporting goods section at WalMart in Del Rio, Texas, quickly turned into a heroic, lifesaving event.

This past spring, former Liberty student body president and Air National Guard pilot Joshua Nelson, his wife Brittany and their son strolled through the Del Rio Wal-Mart toward the sporting goods section in search of fishing hooks.

Suddenly, Joshua Nelson heard a lady speaking urgently a few aisles away.

“Don’t. Stop. Put it down,” the woman said.

The feminine voice speaking these words alerted both Joshua Nelson and his wife to address the situation.

The pair peered around the corner of an aisle where they found a young man, approximately 18 or 19 years old, and a woman, who appeared to be the man’s mother.

The man had a knife to the woman’s midsection.

Joshua Nelson sprang into action, sending his wife with their son to the front of the store to notify police and WalMart officials. Joshua Nelson stepped into the aisle and ran toward the two in the struggle. Joshua Nelson encouraged the young man to put the knife down, but the stubborn man kept the knife poised against the woman.

Joshua Nelson’s frame remained calm and still as he waited for the man to release control of the woman. Regardless, Joshua Nelson’s instant reaction to the turmoil gave the man time to rethink his decision.

“If I would have walked by and that guy would have killed that lady, I would have felt just as guilty as the guy who would have killed her,” Joshua Nelson said.

Eventually, the teenager moved the knife away from the woman, but the teen’s next decision was to turn the knife on himself.

As Wal-Mart employees arrived next to Joshua Nelson, the man obeyed Joshua Nelson’s command to place the knife on the ground and kick it to him.

Police arrived on the scene shortly after the incident, and Joshua Nelson followed the officers back to the station in order to help file a report.

A Wal-Mart trip in search of fishing hooks turned into a heroic act of an Air National Guard pilot proud to serve his country.

“I live a life of service, and it’s really been an honor to do that, and I think it’s who God made me,” Joshua Nelson said.

TILLER is a feature reporter.

Photo Provided

HERO — Joshua Nelson intervened in Wal-Mart conflict.