Liberty University

Liberty students begin first week of classes with large-scale worship event

August 24, 2026 : By Christian Shields - Office of Communications & Public Engagement

After an exciting first day of classes to open the Fall 2026 semester, Liberty University hosted Campus Community Kickoff on the Lawn Monday evening, offering new and returning students a time to praise God alongside their classmates and peers.

Featuring an extensive time of worship led by the Liberty Worship Collective and messages from university leadership, the event gave students a first glimpse of this semester’s Campus Community theme: “What Would Jesus Do?”

Campus Community, held every Wednesday during the school year in the Vines Center, is the central gathering place for worship and spiritual growth at Liberty. The event welcomes guest speakers and staff across the university to provide students the tools to live an authentic Christian life.

Addressing the over one thousand students in attendance, Liberty Vice President of Spiritual Development Joshua Rutledge described the evening as a prequel to the eternity of worship believers will enjoy in Heaven. He encouraged students to take a “mental snapshot” of the event as they enter Fall 2026 and experience all the valleys and mountaintops the semester may hold.

“There are going to be victories. There are going to be highs. There are going to be some days it feels like you are coasting and other days it will feel like you are just in the dark, moving slowly,” he told them. “I want you in those moments to remember this night and then remember where we’re going to be eight months from now, because it’s a snapshot of the faithfulness of God in each of our lives.”

“The battle has been won,” he added. “We can celebrate now because of the victory that has been won and the victory that is still yet to be that will be won. We are going to spend eternity doing this. In anticipation of what we will be doing for eternity, this is just a foretaste.”