Being grounded and rooted in Christ and recognizing God’s calling in our lives were just two of many messages that radio personality Georgene Rice imparted to attendees at the Richard L. Caulkins Lectureship, March 30, on campus.

The host of the Georgene Rice Show on Portland’s KPDQ-FM, Rice spoke at two lecture sessions. Her message to an enthusiastic Chapel audience dealt with “Crossing Political Lines with Christian Truth.” The former Rose Festival princess and political aide encouraged her audience to understand the times they’re living in and to be certain God is always involved.

“By standing for the truth in public or anywhere, you will be understood, but make certain that God has gone before you before you begin and claim the promise in Psalm 32:8 where God promises to teach and instruct us on the way we should go,” she told the audience. “God will give you wisdom.”

Rice’s pro-life stance and her opposition to issues like gay marriage in Oregon have made her a target of her opponent’s scorn. When asked to run for political office, Rice explained that she had no interest.

“Don’t be flattered by people wanting your help in taking action. I’m not called to be in politics. Because someone asks you to be involved in something that seems important or glamorous, doesn’t always mean that’s what God wants,” she said.

Student Carol Jones is an aspiring Christian defense attorney who was inspired by Rice’s message “I was also encouraged by her testimony because some of the feelings that she had before she was certain of God’s calling in her life–are the same as mine.”

Lectureship committee member, Prof. John Scott, appreciated Rice’s presentations, and in particular her plea and caution for her audience to be bold as they speak the truth in love. “She warned that Christians speaking in public must exhibit both confidence and meekness or they'll cancel out a strong Christian witness. She also encouraged students to become Christian leaders so the baton of God's truth may be passed into capable and courageous hands.”

During her second session at 7:30 p.m., Rice spoke about “Popular Fiction as Relative Truth – Confronting the Myths of the Age.”