Today Lecia Sutherland is a wife, mother of one, an ordained evangelist, master of ceremonies, and a customer service trainer. All amazing feats for someone who lacked confidence. Although she was “bold as a lion on the inside,” outwardly she did not show any of that.
It didn’t help that she grew up seeing her parents fighting—her mother would never back down from a fight, and although Sutherland could see that they were not good for each other, at age 12, she recalled praying to God for intervention: “On my way to school, I prayed and asked God, if He allow my parents to get married, I would serve Him. It’s not like they were together, but that was my dream. Well, my father got married without inviting us to the wedding. He didn’t tell us; we heard from friends. After much crying, I decided I don’t ever want to be a ‘baby mama.’ I wanted to get married and start my own family. A Godly family!” she shared.
That desire saw her growing up in a single-parent home with her mother and two younger brothers. Her two older brothers lived in St. Elizabeth with her grandmother.
Life was challenging, as their living conditions were basic: an outside bathroom made of zinc with a concrete slab for flooring and a shed toilet (pit) situated metres away from the house. The kitchen was wood-fired, with the counter made from a drum with a sheet of zinc on top of it, using banana leaves as the cover over the zinc.
“My mother, the best there is, was a hard worker and provider for us. Her sacrifice was all that we needed. In her own way, her encouragement sounded like this: “Nuh, carry no belly come inna mi house, and nuh mek no man tek yuh mek prekke”
Lecia, from a young age, would imagine herself on the microphone before a whole lot of people preaching and teaching. She would use the door as her blackboard and beat the bed as though she had students. She would also preach in the room as though she were in the national stadium.
“Confidence was not honed in our home; the focus was manners and respect for our mother and others, especially the elders,” she noted.
Lecia saw a change in her confidence level at age 16 when she started attending the First Assembly of God in Mandeville. There she joined the choir, became a part of the drama team, dance ministry, and worship leader.
Although the process was “nerve-wracking,” Lecia said she committed to carrying out her tasks as she saw it as an avenue to grow, and she embraced every opportunity that was presented.
“There were days when my mind said no to an invitation to sing or speak because I thought I was not good enough, but somehow my mouth always said yes! I remember the first time I was asked to lead worship; I didn’t sleep for days. The more I did it, the more comfortable I became, and so I can safely say—church was where it all began. Then I was asked to MC a concert, and the rest is history,” she highlighted.
Confidence restored; she now had the task of chasing her dreams and doing all that she wanted to, but lack of finances presented a real challenge.
After completing high school, Lecia had no other option but to find a job, as she said there was no money to head to college. For years she had to work and send herself to school. She fought discouragement and kept her eyes on the goal; she determined that no matter how long it took, she would get an education.
“I did the work and travel programme; I went to school after work. My mom did the best that she could, but it was not possible to go any further. There were days I had to sit out a course, couldn’t do the exam, or wasn’t able to see my results until I cleared outstanding fees,” she revealed, taking the time out to encourage others in similar positions to go after their dream if they really want it.
When small victories came, Lecia didn’t take time out to celebrate them, as she shared that her eyes were fastened on the “big goal.” Stating that she was a ‘people person,’ she said she was deliberate in the choices she made.
“Initially, I started my Bachelors in Medical Technology but didn’t find joy in doing the programme. I moved to Kingston and started a Diploma in Human Resource Development, specialising in training. I loved it. That small victory guided me towards my bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate diploma then this year on to the John Maxwell Leadership certification in training, leadership, and coaching,” she said.
One thing is for certain: Lecia said she is still moving and growing towards bigger goals, as her desire is to perfect the will of God for her life and to walk into her purpose so she can impact individuals, especially those lacking confidence and having low self-worth.
Cognizant of the lack of positive impact and influence in the world where the youths are concerned, Lecia shares how she sees herself as a child of God, which is crucial to the work of the Kingdom.
Now that she can afford herself the luxury of looking back on her journey, she said there are some valuable lessons she has learnt along the way, and they include treating people well! According to her, people judge each other based on social status, looks, and addresses. She recalls being treated differently because of where she used to live.
Sharing an incident from her past, she highlighted how things can turn around.
“Years ago, my mother’s friend boastfully asked her, “When will your children be like mine?” They were financially better off, and my mother was struggling to find sugar for tea. That was the purpose of her visit. Years later, that same lady tearfully apologised to my mom because her children turned out to be the unkindest set of kids ever, and my mother was blessed with four amazing boys and an amazing daughter—me! We take care of her and treat her like a queen. Treat people well. Wherever they are in life, treat people well,” she emphasised.
Born and raised in Mandeville, Manchester, Lecia attended Holmwood Technical, Northern Caribbean University, University College of the Caribbean, and the Management Institute of National Development and John Maxwell Leadership.
She is married with one son.
