Ogletown speaker shares 10 things she learned on ‘Survivor China’

By Shannon Baker, BCM/D National Correspondent

NEWARK, Del.—Leslie Nease, contestant from Survivor China and keynote speaker for Ogletown Church’s annual women’s conference April 25-26, shared some things she learned from being on one of TV’s most celebrated reality shows last season. Women from 21 churches participated in this conference.

Now in its 16th season, Survivor places 16 people in a remote location to see who can “outwit, outplay and outlast” each other after 39 days and become the sole winner of $1 million.

Nease, a Christian talk show host from 91.9 FM in Charlotte, N.C., and a member of Tega Cay Church in Tega Cay, S.C., admits she learned several things from her Survivor experience. At the conference, she summed up the top ten things she learned:

10. Never give up on a God-given dream and to trust His timing.

For Nease, coming onto Survivor was a dream come true. She auditioned for the show 11 times before landing the opportunity. That meant 11 applications and 11 audition tapes.

“I really wanted to be on Survivor,” Nease gushed, acknowledging that she also wanted the dream to be from God. For her, that meant that her husband, Rod, had to be in complete agreement with the idea.

“And my husband did agree,” she exclaimed. “So much so, that he pretty much kicked me onto the plane... and I am so glad he did!”

Nonetheless, it was God who proved to Nease that He meant more to her than even the dream of being on Survivor did.

She related how in the very first five minutes of the game, she was confronted with bowing before a statue of Buddha. In what was supposed to be a traditional welcoming ceremony, Nease felt that the bowing constituted worship. She had already decided in her heart that she would put her face on the ground only before God, and feeling the discomfort, she walked away quietly in tears.

Nease knew all along that an alternate player was waiting in the wings. Would she be let go from the game because of this display?

With her decision came her new identity, “Sister Christian.” All the other players knew where she stood, as did the rest of the watching world.

“I’m not religious,” clarified Nease to the TV cameras. “but I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and I’m only going to put my face on the floor for Him.”

At that moment, Nease realized that the experience was meant for her. “God showed me that He is first in my life,” she said.

9. Holy huddles are great, but you can’t stay there.

“Trust me. If we don’t break up our holy huddle, [God] will do it for us,” Nease went on.

She pointed to Acts 1:8 where Jesus tells the early church that they must go out and be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. But by Acts 8:1, great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

For her, Survivor was a chance to break away from her own holy huddle of a Christian job and Christian friends and family.

8. First impressions aren’t always accurate.

Before the game started, Nease and the contestants were not allowed to speak to each other. Still, New York City waitress Courtney Yates’ rolling eyes fully displayed her attitude. Nease’s first impression of her wasn’t very favorable.

But when she was voted off, Yates was the one crying when Nease left. She’s the only one who didn’t vote for for Nease.

“Survivor brings out the real you,” Nease said. “Courtney started out cranky, but she would get up with her in the middle of the night to walk with me when I was sick. I saw her like God saw her, and I am very thankful for her.”

7. We are “crazy blessed” to be able to own and read God’s Word in our country.

Though Nease had requested her Bible as her “luxury item” (one personal item that she could bring along), she was denied the request. As the days passed by, she longed for her Bible. She was very sick, and wanted the reassurance that it gave her.

“I had memorized scripture, but I was surrounded by deception and needed truth,” she shared, admitting that it wasn’t always that way. For 20 years, her “Sunday” Bible sat on a shelf, she said.

6. Know what it means to “dig deep for Jesus.”

Nease admits that she was a mess on Survivor. She caught a parasite and lost 17 pounds in nine days.

“It had to be God who carried me through. He showed me that He is enough,” she shared. “I didn’t have my reputation, my family, or even shampoo and a toothbrush!”

It was even harder because her tribe was very cynical. She was “kidnapped” by the other tribe, who proved to have “a strong heart.” When Nease shared her findings with her tribe, they became distrustful of her, ultimately deciding her fate as the third contestant to be voted off from Survivor China.

5. A good reputation means more than a million bucks.

Before the vote, Nease realized her dilemma, but knew she had to be true to her values. She had to admit that she had shared things about her tribe to the other tribe.

“I knew my kids were watching. I knew God was watching,” she shared. “My goal was to be obedient to God, not to win the million dollars. Had I not been honest, I would not have been in God’s will.”

4. Forming relationships with people opens doors to share one’s faith.

“My body may have not been strong, but my faith was strong. And the other contestants were starting to get it,” Nease shared. “I listened to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Questions were asked, but I didn’t preach.”

When voted off, several of the contestants dubbed her “mom,” indicating their affection for her.

3. Other’s opinions do not define you.

Nease shared her attempts at gaining man’s approval—she won the Mrs. North Carolina pageant in 2001; she partied along with her friends, living a double life between church and her world.

“When I said I believed that Jesus is the Son of God, I finally realized was that I didn’t understand what ‘belief’ meant,” she admitted. “It was a firm conviction, a full surrender, and a lifestyle that reflects that surrendered.”

When she finally understood that, her life radically changed, and she focused wholeheartedly on the Lord. Pointing to Gal. 1:10, she affirmed that she only wanted to please God. That stance allowed her to walk in God's will instead of favoring man's ways.

2. Man’s rejection is God’s protection.

Though Nease wanted to stay longer in the game, she was at peace with being voted off. “God will not allow you to be rejected by anyone unless it is a part of His plan,” she said, pointing to the Old Testament story of Jacob. “It is the darkest when you are struggling, but don’t let go and give up before the blessing comes.”

1. Nothing is more important than a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“If you allow this dream to come true, not only will I tell them my story, but I’ll tell them Yours,” Nease had told God. She directed her attention to the conference attendees. “Jesus is not just your Savior, but also your Lord. He doesn’t want just part of your life. He wants all of your life.”

She said that Christians should have “symptoms of Christianity” (life change, sensitivity to sin and evangelism, a love for God’s Word). “If you don’t have the symptoms, then you don’t have it,” she challenged, admitting that for years she was a “Sunday Christian” only. But her life dramatically changed when she relaxed and let God do the work in her.

“Many people told me they were sorry when I didn’t win Survivor, but I did win,” Nease shared, rejoicing over her newfound opportunities to share about Jesus. “Jesus just doesn’t work the way we do.” 

To learn more about Nease’s ministry or to schedule a speaking engagement, visit online at www.leslienease.com.