March 29, 2010
For Immediate Release
Lance Riddle, left, and Cristy Asbury pose in front of the Kentucky State Capitol building during their participation in the annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast and the first Seminar for Emerging Leaders.
By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Two Campbellsville University students had the opportunity recently to spend the day with Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear for the annual Governor’s Prayer Service as well as the first annual Governor’s Seminar for Emerging Leaders.
Cristy Asbury and Lance Riddle, both freshmen at CU from Louisville, Ky., attended the prayer service and seminar after being selected by the Office of Campus Ministries at CU.
Asbury said, “I have always heard of the prayer service and thought it would be interesting to hear the prayers of our government officials.”
She said she was very happy to be chosen to attend, “and left feeling very motivated and uplifted.”
Asbury also said she was excited to “be a part of the beginning steps” of the leadership seminar, since this was the first year for that event.
Riddle said he “thought it would be neat to hear the governor speak and hear some other interesting people, and also get to meet other college kids from Kentucky.”
The keynote speaker at the prayer breakfast was the Hon. Harold Ford Jr., chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, news analyst for NBC and MSNBC, visiting professor of public policy at Vanderbilt University and former United States Congressman.
Asbury said, “The service consisted of different leaders sharing scripture and prayers, and it was cool to see this side to them.”
“After the service, just the students attended the seminar,” she said. “We discussed how to love God with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength.”
Riddle said the leadership seminar “was the most interesting part of the day.”
“It was fun to see how these important people seek God through their work and their life every day,” he said.
The speakers at the seminar were Justice Mary Noble, Kentucky Supreme Court,; Colmon Elridge III, director of faith based initiatives and community service; Dr. Dan Lewis, director of youth and culture for First Southern Bank, and Mitch Barnhart, athletic director at the University of Kentucky.
Asbury said, “It was awesome to hear their stories and see how God can use people in any situation.”
“They challenged us to seek guidance on where God was calling us to lead, and with prayer and endurance chase that and not give up,” she said.
“Many people today feel that they can serve only in certain areas and that you have to be skilled to be a leader, but (the speakers) shared that God uses ordinary people in ordinary places.
“When you humbly present yourself before Christ, willing to go where he calls, you will see amazing things happen!” Asbury said. “Following Christ is not easy, but in the end it is definitely worth it.”
She said she also enjoyed being able to meet students from across Kentucky.
“It was awesome to see how sharing the same passions instantly broke any barriers and brought great fellowship,” Asbury said.
She said this experience “really makes you reevaluate your life and who is leading it,” and said she felt “motivated” and “greatly encouraged to be the leader I was called to be.”
“We received the encouragement we needed to take that next step of faith,” Asbury said.
Riddle said, “This was really a great experience,” and said he looks forward to more opportunities like this in the future.
Both students were also able to meet Gov. Steve Beshear and take a VIP tour of the state capitol building.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.
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