The Power to Preserve

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the annual Men of Valor conference in Kansas City, MO, where leaders from across the nation joined in an ecumenical battle cry against pornography and the sexualization of our culture. The conference drew an audience of over 2,000 men, women, and young adults, and boasted speakers such as Matt Fradd, founder of WhoDoesItHurt.com, Pam Stenzel, founder of Enlighten Communication Inc., Dr. Jerry Kirk, founder of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, Jon Kitna of the NFL, and Philly’s own Mark Houck and Damian Wargo, founders of The King’s Men, among others. Presenters addressed a plethora of topics, most notably exposing the gravity of the problem of pornography in our culture, offering practical advice for individuals, and giving tips for leading groups in the battle for sexual integrity.

 

The ecumenical nature of the conference explicated the desire and value for unity among Christians against this common enemy, which is the objectification of sexuality. It was inspiring to see how Christian churches within the geographic Archdiocese of Kansas City have been able to dialogue and share resources in the common pursuit of reclaiming the virtue purity. This is more than just a religious battle– the negative effects of pornography and the exploitation of sexuality have been measured from both the sociological and psychological perspectives. It was powerful to witness testimonies of real individuals whose marriages, families, and very livelihoods have been devastated by pornography addictions. As a chastity educator, the testimonies renewed my conviction for the importance of chastity education. The message Generation Life presents has the power to preserve young people from such grave consequences and darkness!

 

The final evening presented ample opportunity for dialogue over dinner and into the night with many leaders of the conference. I was immensely proud to inform others of Generation Life’s involvement in building a culture of life. I was universally met with affirmation of the importance of our work, and interest in Generation Life’s holistic approach which is rooted in true love and the dignity of the human person. It was refreshing and hopeful to be among so many brave leaders from across the country united in conviction. I witnessed in amazement as the Lord used the brokenness of individuals to lead this battle for sexual integrity and purity. This movement truly provides testament to the awesomeness and omniscience of our merciful God. “But he said to me, ‘my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness…’” (2 Cor 12:9).

Roe v Wade Prayer Vigil and Rally

It could have easily been the coldest morning the winter has seen thus far.  But it didn’t stop people from coming.  It was 7:30am on January 22nd when over three hundred people gathered outside of the Planned Parenthood at 8th and Apple Street in downtown Philadelphia for a prayer vigil.  The pro-life contingency from Philadelphia was abundant which was very encouraging to see familiar faces.  The rest of the brave souls to come out on such a chilling day were from Omaha, Nebraska.  Three charter buses full of teenagers and young adults traveled from Nebraska to Philadelphia, to participate in the vigil, then to Washington D.C. to walk in the nation’s March for Life.   This was a very powerful witness.  We had a speaker system that we used for prayer, song, and a few speakers, I being one of them.  All of that was beautiful, necessary, and very good, but to see the hundreds of lives standing up for the unborn spoke louder than words.

March for Life 2011

I attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. for the first time as a college freshman.  For the last few years, I’ve associated the day with waking up well before dawn, feeling like a pilgrim as I attended Mass and traveled to D.C. by bus, reuniting with friends from all over, and returning to school both encouraged and exhausted.  This year, I experienced the March in a different way, standing across from the Supreme Court at the end of the marching route to represent Generation Life and hand out stickers to the students completing their trek.  The day of the March capped off an entire weekend of pro-life events, beginning with a prayer vigil and rally in Philadelphia, where hundreds of high-schoolers joined us in front of an abortion facility, and including the annual conference hosted by Students for Life of America, an organization that aids students in organizing pro-life groups on their campuses.  Traveling to the March and walking through the streets of D.C., sometimes praying, sometimes talking, and sometimes silent, has always fortified me deeply as I look around at thousands of other pro-lifers alongside me.  At times, prayer and counseling at abortion facilities feels repetitive or insignificant, although I know this isn’t true, yet the sight of so many others gathered for the same cause, the defense of the human person, makes it nearly impossible to feel discouraged.  My time as a missionary has intensified my enthusiasm for the pro-life movement in a new way.  As speakers, we deliver this message to students several times a week, which might seem routine, but each time, as I watch these young peoples’ eyes opened to difficult truths about abortion, as well as the wonderment of new life, I am reminded that there is, in fact, nothing routine about being pro-life.  This movement is passionate and alive, and the March for Life is a reminder that there is much joy and strength to be found in this fight.