Over 1,000 people gathered in Bob Jones University’s Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium on Tues., April 22, to hear U.S. Senator Tim Scott as part of BJU’s Presidential Leadership Series.
His speech, “Unleashing Your Potential and Changing the World,” challenged students and members of the community to make a difference in the lives of others as he spoke about how his mother’s love and the help of a godly mentor set him on the right path.
Scott spoke openly about nearly failing out of high school until his mother helped him through summer school. He also credits his mentor, John Moniz, a North Charleston Chick-fil-A operator, with helping him turn his life around and launching him on the path to building a successful business. In addition, Scott shared his testimony of coming to Christ at age 11 and recommitting his life to Christ while a freshman at Presbyterian College.
Throughout his address, Scott challenged the assembled guests to use the opportunities God gives them to do great things for Him. One of his most memorable quotes was, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized during the lifetime of that opportunity.”
Following his speech, members of the audience were invited to ask questions. Questions covered such topics as a Christian response to immigration enforcement, the Affordable Care Act and working with leaders of the other party.
Scott was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to fill the unexpired term of former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint in Dec. 2012. Prior to his appointment to the U.S. Senate, Scott served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the South Carolina House of Representatives and Charleston County Council.