By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – “You cannot live in the freedom of Christ until you’re open about who you are and who He is,” Kirk Jones said during one of his messages based on the theme “Open and Free” at Louisiana Christian University’s annual Spring Revival series, Feb. 10-12.
Jones is president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and pastor of Fellowship Church, Prairieville.
Speaking from Romans 12:1-2, Jones shared with students, faculty and staff about the mercies of God and learning to live in those mercies.
Trying to live a perfect life is not what God is trying to teach us, he said.
Simply, he said, do what God has told you to do. “The better we know His will, the more we do His will,” Jones said. “Just start where you are with the thing you know, and trust He will lead you.
And when you are faithful with the little things, He will give you more. “He who is faithful is given much,” he said.
“The will of God is not as tricky as we think it is,” he continued. “He isn’t trying to trick us. But it’s harder to find God’s will when we are far from it. The closer we get, the easier it is. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
Drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6, Jones said we all live with a “lean,” whether that’s into Christ or into the world. He asked attendees what or who they are leaning on.
“Trusting is leaning,” he said. “When I trust the Lord, I lean into His truth even when I don’t understand why it’s the truth.”
He challenged students to begin each day in God’s Word.
“Trusting is not testing,” Jones said. “We trust the Lord with everything, or we trust the Lord with nothing. Knowing the Lord’s will comes from knowing the Lord.”
Trusting the Lord does not mean answers to all your questions will come immediately, he said. “If you don’t know what God wants you to do next, keep doing what He told you to do last.”
Following Christ won’t always be easy, Jones said. It may cost friendships and relationships. He encouraged students to quit watching what the world is doing and to go against the culture.
“It’s not always easy,” Jones said. “It’s not always fun, but it is fulfilling.”
LCU President Mark Johnson said it was a joy to welcome Jones back to campus for revival services.
“Having him with us was more than hosting a guest preacher; it was welcoming home one of our own,” Johnson said. “As an alumnus, he understands Wildcat Nation. He knows our history, our heart and the unique calling on this campus. The connection was evident in the way he spoke, not as an outsider, but as someone who has walked our halls, sat in these classrooms and grown through this community.”
Jones’ messages were clear, biblical and deeply relevant to the seasons of life students are navigating, filled with both conviction and compassion, Johnson said.
“What stood out even more was his presence beyond the pulpit,” Johnson said. “He joined us for lunch, connected with students at FCA, attended additional campus events, and made himself available for meaningful conversations. In a season when schedules are full and demands are many, his willingness to give his time was a precious gift. He didn’t rush in and out; he invested.
“Our students benefited not only from what he preached, but from how he engaged. We are grateful for the impact he made on Wildcat Nation during this revival.”
