LYNCHBURG, Va. – From Ghana to Lynchburg, Liberty University students were delivered messages of perseverance and faith Wednesday by world leaders and state leaders during convocation.
Keynote speakers included Former President of the Republic of Ghana John Mahama and Lt. Governor Winsome Sears, who shared how spiritual guidance has shaped her career.
“[God] gives you all of his love, every single bit of his love. He’s not like us who have to get the relationship going, then we kind of know if we love you or not, and then we do something and kind of unlove you. I’m not talking about Facebook either,” joked Sears.
No, she’s talking about God’s love which she said he has shown her throughout her career and life.
Coming to America with less than $2 to his name, her father created a life that allowed her to become the first woman to serve as Lt. Governor and the first Black woman to serve in statewide office in Virginia.
“I never wanted to be Lt. Governor. This was not my idea,” admitted Sears. “When I was done with politics, I was done but God had other ideas. When he called, he never said I was going to win.”
In 2004 when Sears was running for Congress, she didn’t win, but just like Freshman Amelia Kauffman, she said it was only the beginning of her race.
“It’s really cool how she came and shared her message. Wherever you stand politically, you can take something away from what she brought today and apply it to our own lives,” said freshman Amelia Kauffman.
Sears is a champion for education, formally serving on the state Board of Education. It was most fitting she shared this faith-filled message to a packed house of Liberty University.
“Education is very important to me. Education has to be important because without it you will get nowhere and get there very fast,” shared Sears. “So, thank God you are here getting the education that you need so you can launch into this world the Lord has given us.”