Falwell's sons take up mantle
Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Jerry Falwell, will become pastor of the 24,000-member church his dad founded in Lynchburg more than 50 years ago. Members of Thomas Road Baptist Church elected Jonathan Falwell, 40, in a unanimous vote June 3. Falwell has been the church's executive pastor since 1994 and has preached at early Sunday services since last year. He was the only candidate considered by the church's board of deacons, according to the Lynchburg Daily Press. According to a note from Jonathan Falwell on www.falwell.com, he will also now write his dad's weekly newsletter, which is sent to 500,000 subscribers.
Jerry Falwell, who died suddenly May 15 at the age of 73, and his wife, Macel, had three children: Jerry Jr., Jonathan and Jeannie. Jerry Falwell Jr., 44, is a lawyer and was recently named chancellor of Liberty University, which his father founded in 1971. Jeannie Falwell Savas is a surgeon in Richmond. Both the church and the university have gained prominence in Lynchburg, population 65,000. Liberty University is the city's second-largest employer. The Washington Post recently reported that annual revenues of all the Jerry Falwell ministries, which include a Christian academy, cable and satellite television channels and land holdings, now total over $200 million.