Liberty University names retired Anchorage pastor as acting leader

By SARAH RANKIN and ELANA SCHOR Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The board of private evangelical Liberty University in Virginia has chosen a retired Anchorage pastor as its interim leader, days after Jerry Falwell Jr. began a leave of absence. Liberty University’s board announced Jerry Prevo’s appointment on Monday, three days after Falwell began his leave. Prevo, who retired as senior pastor of the Anchorage Baptist Temple last year, has served as chairman of the school’s board of trustees since 2003. Falwell’s departure came after he posted a photo on social media showing him posing with his pants unbuttoned, stomach exposed and his arm around a young woman who was not his wife. He apologized for the photo, which he said was taken during a costume party. Falwell has led the university founded by his evangelist father, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, for 13 years.