Newly Crowned Miss USA Describes ‘Personal Spiritual Encounter with God’
By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor
On Monday night, Asya Branch was named Miss USA. For all the discipline and dedication it took to earn the coveted title, Branch knows one of her defining career moments was one no one saw.
“A defining moment for me was one that was only seen by me in one of my nightly devotions,” Branch previously said. “I had become overwhelmed, discouraged, and had begun to give up when I had a personal, spiritual encounter with God where He spoke to me and let me know he was still working on me, had incredible plans for my life and I could not give up.”
Branch is a staunch conservative with a passion for criminal justice reform, as her father has been incarcerated since she was 10 years old.
“My father’s incarceration has played an enormous role in my life and helped me develop characteristics I never imagined,” Branch said. “It taught me responsibility at a young age and to count my blessings, but most of all, it strengthened my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
According to the New York Post:
When she was 10 years old, Branch’s father was arrested at their home for kidnapping and armed robbery, while she and her siblings watched from the car. “That day our lives changed forever,” she told Empower Missippi. “We had a beautiful home and a great life.”
With her father in prison, the bank foreclosed on their home. “People looked at us differently when they found out that my father was in prison,” she said. “That was a critical stage in my life and it ended up changing me. I felt this overwhelming shame.” Now, Branch talks about her father’s story to help other kids who have incarcerated parents.
The former Miss Mississippi is also passionate about gun reform.
“As someone who grew up in a home with guns, I learned at an early age how to load, how to fire, and gun safety,” she said on the Miss USA stage. “I think that education should be available to everyone,” she announced Monday night. “I believe that we should require people to pass training and safety courses before they’re allowed to purchase a gun and before receiving a permit. I think it’s important that we not ban guns…I think it’s our Second Amendment right and we just need more safety surrounding that.”
Branch, who previously sang the National Anthem at a rally for President Donald Trump, also said that she believes the country needs healing right now.
The United States must “set a better example” if it wants to “continue to be the greatest nation,” Branch said.
“I think this is an issue of trust,” she continued. “We’ve lost trust in the systems that seem to keep our country running—from the media to business to our government. It’s all about restoring that trust and coming together and working together to heal and trust in the systems.”
Miss USA was broadcast live from Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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