Jerry Falwell

Jerry Falwell was an American Baptist pastor, televangelist, and political activist. He was born on August 11, 1933, in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was raised in a devout Christian family. In 1956, he founded the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, which grew to become one of the largest congregations in the country. Falwell was also very involved in politics, founding the Moral Majority in 1979, a conservative Christian political organization that played a significant role in the election of Ronald Reagan. He was a strong supporter of the Republican Party, and advocated for conservative values, including opposing abortion and gay rights. In addition to his work in politics, Falwell was also known for his work in Christian broadcasting. He founded Liberty University in Lynchburg in 1971, which became one of the largest and most influential Christian universities in the country. Falwell passed away on May 15, 2007, from heart rhythm abnormality at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife, four children, and many grandchildren. Despite controversy surrounding some of his political and social views, his contributions to the growth of the evangelical movement in America and the establishment of influential institutions cannot be ignored.