A Life of Service: Honoring our Veterans

To celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11, 2020, hundreds of hand-held American flags were lined along the DBU lawn and sidewalks by Student Government Organizations and the Student Activities Board to honor all those who have served our nation and protected its freedoms.

Even in the midst of the chaos of 2020, DBU remained true to their annual commitment to host a group of Veterans on campus. This year, DBU hosted its first-ever “A Life of Service” luncheon amidst a small in-person gathering in Sadler Hall, which was also extended virtually to welcome many more friends and guests.

During his opening remarks, DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright stated, “We take seriously God and Country here at DBU, and we make no apology about it.” DBU was honored to hear from Lieutenant Trevor Carpenter, Pastor Devinion B. Valentine, and Dr. Levi Price throughout the duration of the program, each passionately articulating what it means to live “A Life of Service.” 

Pastor Valentine served in the U.S. Military for four years. He is currently the Lead Pastor for Omni Fellowship in Cedar Hill. Pastor Valentine expressed the importance of preserving the unity that Satan wants to destroy throughout the body of modern-day believers.

He explained that a life of service begins by “living a life worthy of the calling which you have received,” as stated in Ephesians 4 and reminded the veterans present of our calling as Christians to be humble, gentle, patient, to bear with one another, and to do it all in love.

Lieutenant Trevor Carpenter, a DBU alumnus, joined virtually from Oahu, Hawaii. Lieutenant Carpenter served in the US Navy as a Chaplain and currently serves as Command Chaplain for Combat Logistics Battalion for the 3rd Marines. He received the Navy and Marine Achievement Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. Lieutenant Carpenter has also worked in the outdoor education field and served on multiple church staff in New Mexico and Texas. Lieutenant Carpenter shared reflections on the importance of heeding godly advice, exercising strong discipline, and honoring the legacy of men like Dr. Levi Price.

Dr. Levi Price served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1966-1967, reached the rank of Captain, and received a battlefield commendation. Dr. Price’s life was changed after hearing these words from a Chaplain while in Vietnam: “Levi,” he said, “the one thing in life a man’s got to do is commit his life to Jesus Christ.”

Although it was not on that day that Dr. Price turned to Christ, or even a week or month later, the Lord continued to stir his heart, and finally about a year after returning from Vietnam, Dr. Price decided to give his life to the Lord. Since then, Dr. Price has become a distinguished minister, spreading the love of God through his various missionary and pastoral positions, as well as serving as a denominational leader and professor. 

“Maybe,” says Dr. Price, “we are most like our Lord and Master when we can say ‘I come not to be served, but to be served and to give my life.’” The truest example of a life of service is spelled out in John 15:13 when Jesus himself says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” It is with simple acts of service out of an abundance of love for those around us that we begin to live out this calling. “Too many people in our world want to be served and not to serve,” Dr. Price continued. “Find a way to serve.”

Dallas Baptist University is grateful beyond measure for the brave men and women who have served in the past, are currently serving, and have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

According to Dr. Wright, “There are thousands upon thousands of DBU Patriots that have served both inactive and former service and those who have never seen any service at all that are praising God for your work and for what you’ve done.”

“What a great day to be a Patriot,” expressed Dr. Wright. “What a great day to love the Lord and rejoice in all God is doing, all He has done, and all we know He will do in the days ahead.”

DBU is active in supporting our veterans through our Department of Military and Veteran Services. Chris Spalding serves as DBU’s Director of Military and Veteran Services, and Christopher Lemons as VA Certifying Official. The University has repeatedly been recognized as a top “Military-Friendly” School in the nation

For more information on our programs and services for veterans >>