Trey Gowdy visits

Students had the opportunity to hear U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy give an encouraging and convicting message at Convocation Friday, March 20.

Michael Hamlet, a longtime friend of the congressman, introduced Gowdy, who represents the fourth district of South Carolina.

“I have always seen (Gowdy) as someone who cares (for others),” Hamlet said.

Gowdy opened his message with 2 Chronicles 7:14. Gowdy said this verse applies to people both past and present.

“That verse is directed to the very same people who founded, protected, fevered and nurtured this country,” Gowdy said. “It is (also) directed toward you. So if you think that that call to action … is for someone else … then you are wrong.”

Gowdy continued by asking students to think if the influence of the government has gone up or down and if the influence of the church has gone up or down.

“What would you believe in enough to lose?” Gowdy said. “What do you believe in enough to march forward, even if you knew that you were marching forward to a certain defeat?”

Gowdy also told students they must decide about valuing freedom more than truth and diversity more than unity.

“You have to figure out what you believe, and more importantly, you have to figure out why you believe it,” Gowdy said.

Gowdy continued to speak passionately about the law.

“(The law) is the most unifying and equalizing force we have in this country,” Gowdy said. “It is the only thing that makes the richest person in this county drive the same speed limit as the poorest person. It is what makes the richest person in Virginia pay their taxes on the very same day as the poorest.”

Gowdy also gave a word of advice to Christians going into politics.

“If you are going to say that the Lord called you into politics, then you better act like it,” Gowdy said. “And if you are not going to act like it, then leave his name out of it.”

Gowdy ended his message by telling a story of a man who was in a plane crash in the Potomac River. Gowdy explained that the man was offered a rescue ladder from a helicopter but kept passing it to others in the icy water. Gowdy encouraged students to be more like that man and live a quiet life of conviction and virtue and to actually live out what they profess to believe.

FOLEY is a news reporter.