Marsh and Nelson Inspire During Chapel Message

Former Miss Oklahoma and Miss America Lauren Nelson and News 9 anchor Robin Marsh delivered the chapel message during OBU's Woman's Mission and Ministry Day Wednesday, March 25.

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Nelson and Marsh have co-authored the book, "God, Girls, and Getting Connected: Spiritual Apps for a Teen's Life," as well as, "God, Girls and Guys: Answers to Questions on Dating and Relationships." They also lead a ministry called Unveiled Ministries based on 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Marsh and Nelson challenged students to keep their eyes and ears open, looking for opportunities to share Christ with others and meets others' needs.

Marsh recalled her early years in television journalism, where she admits she was in it for the wrong reasons. She was more concerned about how she looked and the acclaim she received, but God humbled her and showed her those things weren't important.

"I could stand here today before you friends and tell you all the great people I've met, from presidents to sports heroes to super country stars, but today I just want to share with you the greatest person I've ever met, and His name is Jesus Christ," Marsh said. "He changed my life and He broke me of that arrogance. He showed me that 'Robin, it's not about you and people knowing your name.' It's 'will you be my vessel and will people know my name?'"

She recalled one particular assignment in 2007, when she did a piece for News 9 on famous Oklahomans and their mothers. That's when she first met Nelson. The two formed a friendship, and ultimately participated in Bible studies together and attended church together. Through Marsh's influence and friendship, Nelson came to realize she knew all about God, but didn't have a relationship with Jesus.

"I grew up in a Christian home," Nelson said. "I knew a lot about God. If you would have asked me if I was a Christian, I would have said absolutely. But what I didn't realize was that this whole Christian life wasn't a to-do list, it was a relationship; a relationship that changes your life."

"Even though I was living out my dream, my life was completely empty," Nelson said, referring to her time as Miss America. "It was probably the loneliest, darkest place I have ever been in my life. I can see it's because I was relying on everything but God to be my sufficiency. I was relying on everything worldly to satisfy me, and it doesn't work."

"But God did something extraordinary with an ordinary circumstance when Robin came and met me." Nelson trusted Christ in 2008 and the two have continued to strengthen their friendship and build their ministry together.

"I want to challenge you. What's the step of faith that you need to take today?" Nelson said. "Maybe it's reaching out to that person and asking them to meet a need. Maybe it's asking your parents for forgiveness for something. Maybe it's about your lifestyle. Maybe it is salvation. Here's the deal, Miss America was awesome, but Jesus is so much better, and He is there and available for each and every one of us. God doesn't just fix us up, he makes us totally new."

Nelson is one of only a handful of women in the country to ever hold the title of Miss America, winning the competition in 2007. She served as co-anchor of First at Four News at KWTV- News 9 in Oklahoma City and was honored with the prestigious TOYA Award by the United States Junior Chamber Organization in 2008 as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Americans." She received her degree in public relations at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is an accomplished singer and performer and has co-starred on stage with Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy in "Carousel" as well as singing for several professional sporting events. She speaks and sings at many women's events, youth retreats and charitable organizations. She leads bible studies with teen girls, and she and her husband Randy lead worship at Edmond's First Baptist Church.

Marsh is an Emmy-nominated and national award-winning journalist. In her 29 years of broadcast experience, she has received many honors including excellence in feature reporting from the National Academy of Television Journalists, honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, and "Oklahoma's Journalist of the Year." The Girl Scouts honored her as a "Woman of Distinction." Her series of broadcast reports on breast cancer is on display at the National Museum of Broadcast Journalism Center in Chicago, Illinois. She currently co-anchors First at Four with Lacie Lowry on KWTV-News 9, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City. She uses her influence from television as an open door to tell women and girls about the love of Jesus Christ. She leads many women's and young girls' retreats in Texas and Oklahoma. She and her family live in Edmond.

For more information on Marsh and Nelson's ministry, visit www.withunveiledfaces.com.