Brandon Blair, pastor and Iraq veteran, emphasizes Jesus saves and restores in chapel address

by Simon Baker, student news writer, Office of University Communications

Campbellsville, KY (03/08/2023) — Brandon Blair was serving his country in Iraq when he suddenly came under fire and was shot in the chest.

Blair discussed how Christ saved him on that traumatic day in his chapel address Feb. 22 at Campbellsville University.

Blair said he understood his need for a relationship with Christ that day when he was shot in the chest by a 7.62 armor-piercing round from a sniper.

"When we went into combat, they said not every one of you would return," Blair said. "I didn't think for a second that anything would happen to me, but I did get hit. I was the first person in my unit to get injured in August of 2006."

Blair described that while lying in the streets of Iraq, he realized he did not have a relationship with Christ and asked God to spare his life.

"I am a miracle," he proclaimed. "I am saved by the grace of God. When I was lying in the sands of Iraq, all I knew was that I wasn't ready to stand before a holy God. I was in a pit of sin and asked the Lord to spare my life."

During chapel, Blair read from Psalm 40:1-3: "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

Blair, who read these verses while recovering from his injuries in Iraq, said he related to David being in a "pit of sin."

"These verses changed my life," he shared. "The same pit he couldn't get out of, I couldn't get out of."

Blair said there is no such thing as little sin to God.

"All sin is big sin," Blair said. "Even though it's a small word, it's a big thing."

Jesus died on the cross for every sin, small and big, Blair said.

Blair discussed a time in his Christian journey when he found himself trapped in sin and being repetitious with God.

"I was trying and striving to do the right thing," Blair said. "Occasionally, I'd hear somebody encourage me, and I would start to do some good things. I would start going to church, and I wasn't drinking and partying, so I felt like I was doing pretty good.

"But life would hit me, and I would fall short and mess up. God knows you can't get yourself out of your mess. Through His grace and mercy, He came down to you."

Blair professed, "Jesus changed my life, and I have never been the same."

To view the full chapel, go to YouTube and search "Campbellsville University Chapel 2/22/23."

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

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