Learning worship and prayer: Students hear from Lester Taylor and Pete Greig

Liberty University hosted pastor Lester Taylor and LU Praise with a commemorative celebration of gospel music called Gospel-ology this past Wednesday, Feb. 28. LU Praise’s performance shined a light on the historical impact of gospel music.

Before the first performance began, a short video played, describing gospel music as something for all areas of life, in which the musical sincerity guides the purpose and meaning behind each song. It also described some of the first people who were the veterans of gospel music.

Thomas Dorsey was known as the “father of gospel music,” and the one who began the choirs and choruses. Mattie Moss Clark was also mentioned as “the most powerful woman in black gospel music,” as well as the mother of the Clark Sisters. James Cleveland notably began the gospel music workshop of America, leading these workshops to spread to churches for decades to come, paving the way for the future of gospel music.   

The song “Total Praise,” written by Richard Smallwood, was also performed by the LU Praise team, followed by an introduction to Taylor, who was the Convocation speaker.

Taylor said that it was amazing to hear the praise and worship of gospel music and sharing that with the students at Liberty University. He introduced his family, who attended the event with him, and congratulated the LU Praise team. He went on to discuss the delight of praise.

“When I think about delighting in something, I do it because I want to do it,” Taylor said. “I do it because I love to do it. I do it because I’m responding to all the grace, the mercies and the favor of God, and I just want to say if God’s been good to you — if God’s shown you grace, mercy and favor — you ought to give God some praise.”

Taylor described how the presence of the Lord has liberty and joy, how gospel music is a freeing form of worship, and how prayer, preaching and singing are the center of the worship. Each song tells a story of deliverance, provision and healing.

“We’re telling our story that God is a healer, God is a deliverer and God is the one that is able to set you free,” Taylor said.

Sophomore Madison O’Leary enjoyed the performance of the choir during Convocation.

“I think today’s Convocation was beautiful and fun,” O’Leary said. “It was really cool to learn about the history of gospel music and even cooler to see it performed.”

On Friday March 1, Liberty University hosted pastor Pete Greig, the founder of 24-7 Prayer. Convocation began with a performance by the LU Percussion Quartet from the School of Music.

Liberty University President Dondi Costin also took the stage to applaud the performance and announce to the students that on March 5, they will be given the opportunity to vote.

“Do your civic duty for the good of others and the glory of God,” Costin said.

After the Worship Collective and the students sang, Greig took the stage. One of the core parts of his message was how important the presence of God is and knowing him, in any stage of life.

“But things drive us to our knees,” Greig said. “They drive us to a place of desperation and desire for more of the presence of God.”

Greig encouraged the students to pray by seeking the presence of God. He also explained how people’s prayers may not get answered right away, but many years down the line.

“But you will shape your future destiny by the choices you make and the prayers that you pray today,” Greig said. 

He also touched on the 24-7 Prayer movement, and some of the trials he and his family had experienced in the past, highlighting the importance to trust God, even when life’s circumstances make life things difficult. He told the students that trusting God is still important, even without understanding what is happening. 

“Those are the very times you need to push into the arms of the father and allow him to carry you through the pain,” Greig said. “And one day you will understand what God was doing and why you had to go through that.”

Greig called the Worship Collective up on stage, where he urged the students to pray a short prayer — just the words “come on” — that called out in praise to God.

The LU Worship Collective then performed the closing song titled “Praise” by Elevation Worship. 

Freshman Jaidan James said the message was beautifully delivered to the students. 

“It was nice to see the speaker so passionate about his love and faith in Christ. It left me feeling a tad more inspired,” Jaidan said. “I loved how he shared the trials of his life and yet his faith is still stronger than ever. His message was beautifully given and very intriguing.”

Sanford is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion