Actress Candace Cameron Bure inspires students to influence others through kindness

As Hollywood star Candace Cameron Bure shared her journey from “Full House” to Netflix’s “Fuller House,” Liberty University students were encouraged during Wednesday’s first Convocation of the semester to make glorifying God in their actions their top priority.

Bure said secondary priorities, such as one’s work and personal relationships, “are the ways in which I get to glorify God.”

Bure has been acting since she was 5, achieving fame as D.J. Tanner on the family sitcom “Full House,” a role she’s since reprised on Netflix. She’s a frequent lead in Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, so much so that she’s been called “Hallmark’s Christmas Queen.” Bure was also a co-host on “The View,” a finalist on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and has written five New York Times best-sellers, including her latest, “Kind Is the New Classy.”

She last spoke at Liberty in 2011. After worshipping with the students at the start of Wednesday’s event, Bure told the crowd, “I am so happy to be here … as a momma (Bure has college-age children), you give me hope for the next generation worshipping Jesus.”

During a question-and-answer session with Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser, Bure talked about her career, her faith, and the relationship between the two. She received applause and enthusiastic screams when clips of her work were shown on the Vines Center screens.

While she intentionally focuses on family-friendly content, Bure noted that the programming is still not always perfectly in line with Christian values.

“If you are not in every type of business out in the world, then who is going to be doing it?” Bure said. “We have to be in spaces that are not only in a Christian bubble. We have to get out there so we can be an influence to other people.”

“I don’t win every battle,” she added, “but I’m fighting (for my values). I know it is honoring to God. … Every little difference, every little fight, makes a difference for God.”

During her time on “The View,” Bure often defended Christian values. The daytime talk show is noted for heated debates between people of differing views, though Bure maintained a graceful approach to her disagreements.

“My whole goal for that show was to be kind and respectful and to truly represent Christ in my speech,” Bure said.

After Convocation, freshman Paloma Parker said it was “really cool” to hear Bure’s perspective. “I can see how much she has fought behind the scenes that we don’t necessarily see when she is on screen. I realized how much we really need to give them (Christian actors) the benefit of the doubt.”

Bure encouraged students to take a civil approach to sharing their faith as they interact with people from different worldviews.

“When I talk to people, I want to listen, and have compassion, or empathy, or see where you are at in your life so that I can understand your point of view,” Bure said. “I don’t know anyone that has ever changed because someone yelled and screamed at them.”

Rather than responding to disagreements with outrage, Bure suggested students respond with kindness.

“That’s what the world sees in us as Christians, our character,” she said. “We can recite whatever Bible verses we want … but if they don’t see us walking the walk … then we are not representing Christ.”

As someone who grew up watching “Full House” reruns, sophomore Kathryn Larson loved every moment of the Convocation.

“It’s the best way to start the semester,” Larson said. “It’s really encouraging to see somebody in the media who is promoting these values and Christianity. It’s so beautiful to see how she is showing people the truth along with the love of Christ.”

“I love how she said, ‘You will never win the argument by verbally abusing someone,’” added senior Jessie Mumford. “Developing a culture of kindness is really important.”