Today, I am saddened by the loss of Dr. Jerry Falwell. Why do I call him my friend? Why would this controversial person be so special to me? In my travels around the world, I’ve met many people who did not like Doc because of his politics. Here’s what I tell them:
“you can disagree with Dr. Falwell all you want to about your political or theological differences; but do not trash his character. He is a man who loves people, and genuinely cares about them. I know; because I have personally experienced it.”
In the early 1970′s, when my family lived in California, my mom watched Jerry Falwell on television. She told me, even back then, that she would like for me to attend college at Liberty someday.
In 1980, when the Moral Majority was beginning, my fundamentalist Baptist church was very involved in that movement. Jerry Falwell came to Anchorage to tour several cities, encouraging evangelicals to get out and vote. I ran the soundboard for these events, which had music and other entertainment elements. As a 14 year old, I was pretty small, and looked more like I was in elementary school. Dr. Falwell leaned over to my pastor and asked him, “Who is operating the sound board? That young man is awfully small to be back there.” My pastor said, “That’s Steve VanDusen; you don’t have to worry about a thing….”
Fast forward more than four years later, in the fall of 1983. I was a new freshman at Liberty Baptist College from Alaska, walking across the courtyard on Liberty Mountain. Doc was always walking around campus, always talking with students; even threatening to run us over with his black suburban, or sucker punch us without warning! He was coming toward me across the courtyard, so I dutifully straightened my back, waiting to meet “Dr. Falwell”. As we got closer, he said, “Hello young man,” then stopped, paused, looked closely at me, pointed and said, “Anchorage, Alaska; Jerry Prevo’s church; you ran the sound there, what’s your name son?” And to his credit, he never forgot it. Not even as late as last month, when I was in Lynchburg with my family at a friend’s wedding.
Yes, Dr. Falwell had a photographic memory. And he remembered the most obscure things. In 1987, during the height of the PTL scandal, we were taping a television show at the Liberty studios. I heard someone ask him how to get a hold of one of the older church members at Thomas Road Baptist Church; Doc said, “Yes, Mr. s0 and so, try him at AC4-2486… no wait, that’s his old number…” The man remembered one of his members phone number with an old, outdated prefix.
During my time in the TV department at Thomas Road, around 1989, I had some political difficulties with some new management. One day, as Doc was leaving the studios in his suburban, he rolled down the window and motioned me over. When I walked up, he asked me specific details about the situation I was in, and then concluded by saying, “Steve, if you ever need anything, don’t you hesitate to call my office. You are one of our boys….” I was just an audio mixer, not a high powered manager or preacher.
I am happily married to my wife because of Dr. Falwell. Amy and I met at Liberty University.
I learned about television production while working for Dr. Falwell from 1984 to 1990.
My job at BGEA is an indirect result of my working with Dr. Falwell. During my time in Lynchburg, I met many television professionals that worked with associates at BGEA. When I began freelancing there, the BGEA staff welcomed me because of my common relationships.
I had the privilege of working at ABC News in Washington, DC from 1994 thru 1997, mainly because of mutual friends who I met at Liberty while working w/ Doc. Also, during the PTL Scandal, we were connecting live feeds to Nightline and Larry King Live on a regular basis, and I learned the basics of news communication.
My career as a freelance audio engineer with Fox Sports, ESPN, and other regional television networks came because of working on sporting broadcasts for Liberty University, requested by Jerry Falwell.
My introduction into the Christian music industry came as a result of working and hanging out with dcTalk, Bill Gaither, John Mark Painter, and others while at Liberty and Thomas Road.
So many things… I learned about tolerance from Doc. Yes, you might be surprised at that. In 1983, I heard Ted Kennedy speak at Liberty University in our main chapel area. The Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke in the pulpit at Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1989, after being invited by Doc. Even Mel White, the ghost writing author for Doc and many others, convinced Doc to put together a forum to discuss the rift b/w homosexuals and evangelicals. All done by Jerry Falwell.
Unfortunately, most will remember the comments after 9/11. Or tinky winky. Or something else obscure. I’m not saying Doc was perfect; I’m not even saying I totally agree with all of his stances on issues.
But I can say, with certainty, that he is being welcomed into the presence of Jesus, and is being told, “Welcome, good and faithful servant.” For my more liberal minded friends, that may be hard to swallow.
But, for my conservative friends, you might be surprised who makes it in as well. “For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance w/ the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3.
good bye Doc. You meant the world to me…