Former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Tebow champions ‘God-confidence’ at Liberty University Convocation

Liberty University welcomed 2017 Miss Universe and entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate Demi-Leigh Tebow to Convocation on Friday to share her testimony of finding her self-worth in Christ instead of personal accomplishments or titles.

Tebow, speaking to a packed crowd of students and College for a Weekend guests in the Vines Center, opened her message by sharing about her childhood in South Africa and her rise to fame through the pageantry circuit. She also shared how she met her now-husband, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, through his foundation’s “Night to Shine” event, a worldwide celebration for those with special needs. Tim had personally invited her sister, who had a mental disability, to the event. She said although she and Tim didn’t originally have much in common, they found a connection in their shared desire to love God and others. The couple is expecting their first child.

As a beauty pageant contestant, Tebow quickly rose through the ranks, first earning the Miss South Africa title before ultimately taking home the Miss Universe crown. Despite this success, she said she came to realize that the title could never provide her with true purpose and worth because it was temporary.

“In 2017, when I won the Miss Universe title, I gained probably one of the greatest ‘increase’ moments of my life,” she said. “But a year later, I experienced one of the greatest ‘decrease’ moments of my life. Winning a title like Miss Universe is really just a one-year job contract and it comes to an end.”

After handing over the title to the 2018 winner, Tebow entered a time of questioning and doubt. Having previously placed her identity in her Miss Universe title, she was now left empty and in despair. The loss of her crown led to an identity crisis. In the same way that people suffer from athletic injuries and face tough relationship issues or any other trial in life, Tebow encouraged students to trust God through the process.

“When those roles, those achievements, and those expectations of life shifted, I couldn’t help but wonder who I truly was at my core,” she said. “When my plan started to not match up with God’s plan, how do you hold on to your faith and trust His purpose for your life? I hope we can walk away today having more confidence and trust in what God is doing in our life.”

Like a seed planted in the ground, Tebow said that period in 2018, which she had previously viewed as a “wasted season,” was actually God preparing her for the next part of her journey. Just as God used 400 years of silence to prepare Israel for the birth of Christ, she said His timing often differs from the expectation of His followers.

“We don’t necessarily have all of the answers right now … but thankfully we are not in control, and we know the One who is,” she said. “The question is if we are going to keep questioning God through that season, or if will we choose to trust Him even when we can’t see His full plan.”

This time of waiting led Tebow to cast off her identity in her accomplishments and instead embrace her worth in Christ. Instead of self-confidence, she found “God-confidence.”

“I get to have full trust in who God is and in who He says I am. He is someone who is so much bigger than my life circumstances. He is someone who is always trustworthy, always fixed, and never changing.”

“The best part is our God is not just a promise maker, but He is a promise keeper,” she added. “He is going to finish what He started in each of our lives.”

With this corrected mindset, Tebow no longer worried about her personal success but instead fixed her gaze on the promise of Heaven.

“In a moment in my life where I had been searching for the next treasure, title, or achievement that would give me worth, God reminded me that I am the treasure not because of anything I have done, but because of what He has already done for us. In that moment where I was waiting for that next title, treasure, or achievement to give me worth, He reminded me that humanity is the crown of creation. Liberty University, you are the crown of creation, and He sacrificed everything so we get to spend eternity with Him.”

Prior to Tebow’s message, Christian singer Josiah Queen took the stage to perform songs from his 2024 album, “The Prodigal.” Queen will return to the Vines Center at 8 p.m. Friday for a sold-out concert.