Jonathan Pokluda and Forrest Frank speak at Convocation

Returning students joined the freshmen class for the first two convocations of the fall semester as they listened to the testimony of Jonathan Pokluda and insight from Forrest Frank.  

Pokluda, the lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, took the stage at Wednesday’s convocation after an introductory video from his son was projected on the screens. Pokluda shared how God transformed him from a “wannabe thug” trying to live his life on his own into a Christian man devoted to God’s calling. Though he was raised in a Christian household, Pokluda spent his high school years and his first year of college having “one foot in the church” and one foot trying to fit in with the world.  

“I’ve got scars, and I’ve got regrets,” Pokluda said.  

Pokluda said his life changed when he was invited to church from a person he met in a club. He showed up to church hungover and smelling like smoke; however, it was at that very moment he responded to God’s calling on his life and devoted himself to Christ.   

After his testimony, Pokluda transitioned to preaching on the passage of Luke 18:18-21. Through the passage, he explained that individuals who think they have control over their lives cannot fully commit to Jesus. He asked the students to think of a number, on a scale of one to 10, that describes their certainty toward whether or not they will go to heaven.  

“One through nine; it’s all the same,” Pokluda said. “It means there’s a part of you that thinks it’s me.”  

Pokluda then drew from 1 John 5:13 to explain that Christians should answer that question with a 10 because they have eternal life through Jesus. He also said that if an individual does not have a relationship with Jesus, then Earth is as good as they are ever going to experience.  

“I’m a 10 because of Jesus, and that’s it,” Pokluda said.  

Friday’s convocation featured an interview session with Forrest Frank, the Christian artist known for his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day.” The interview circled around the topics of his testimony and his rise to fame through music. Frank said he did not give his life to Jesus until he attended a Wednesday night worship service during his sophomore year in college. 

“I woke up sophomore year completely broken … feeling so insecure and this emptiness inside,” Frank said.

Frank primarily worked as a pop music artist, but after making his name in the music world, he and his wife felt God telling them to hold back. For a while, he turned down many opportunities and gave up music, until, eventually, he wrote the song “No Longer Bound” and felt that God wanted him to release it. Soon after, Frank gained popularity as he continued to write and release songs inspired by God.  

“I can’t take the credit,” Frank said. “God’s been inspiring songs, and here I am.”  

Frank said God directs and leads us on paths that glorify him, referencing Psalm 23. 

“I admire how wholly surrendered he is to the Lord,” senior Claudia Gamble said. “His music, his career — Frank has placed it completely in the Lord’s hands and for his glory.” 

When asked for any encouragement for the students in the audience, Frank said not to wait to respond to God’s call for their lives. 

Sophomore Lydia Robertson said she will remember Frank’s acknowledgement that as Christians, our identity is children of God.   

“The only good thing that we can do in this life is give our life to Jesus and worship him,” Frank said.  

Sturek is the on-campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.