Liberty and Lynchburg’s editorially and financially independent student newspaper.

Welcome to The Lynchburg Torch.

We are a group of Liberty University students who are passionate about the community in Lynchburg and the student body at our school. This project is for the students and locals to have their voices heard and to promote healthy discourse on campus and in our community.

I helped start The Lynchburg Torch for a number of reasons.

First, I believe that as students, we are not reaching into our local community as we should be. It is disheartening to hear how many students are completely unaware of the culture and community found in Lynchburg — or anything outside of Liberty, for that matter.

This is not entirely the students’ fault, as classes are demanding and Liberty does an exceptional job of promoting community through dorm life and different events on campus. But Liberty students need to invest in their neighbors and create good relationships.

Students also need to be able to hear each other and talk about the sometimes-difficult aspects of the fallen world we live in. They need to challenge each other with ideas and concepts that may not be promoted at Liberty. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Liberty students need to be sharpening one another and expanding their worldview so they do not suffer from total culture shock once out of the “Liberty Bubble.”

This means that if any of our readers have a topic they are passionate about, something that needs to be addressed, or even a unique experience, I urge you to share with the students through our platform. We are here to serve you.

Amid having to juggle classes, work and (hopefully) a social life, why put time to another commitment? Another project? Something so demanding?

Because as Christians and as students, we need to show initiative and make efforts to reach out to the community and each other without LU oversight.

Galatians 6:9 tells us to be diligent in our pursuits: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Students, do not just sit back and take opportunities given to  you by the university. Though many of those are blessings and privileges, we need to show initiative and work diligently to support those around us.

It is my desire for The Lynchburg Torch to show the love of Christ Jesus by talking about the difficult topics, reaching into the community and putting the talents of our amazing students on display.

It is challenging, and it is daunting, but it is worth it.

I hope you see that too.