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Pro-life Convocation panel discusses passion and policy

Panel members from left to right: David Nasser, Abby Johnson, Carla D’Addesi, David Harris Jr., Paul Isaacs, and Dr. Alex Himaya.

The last Convocation in February at Liberty University focused on the value of life, beginning with a reflection on Black History Month and continuing into a passionate discussion on the pro-life movement.

A panel included author and activist Abby Johnson; president and co-founder of COL1972, Carla D’Addesi; president of Save the Storks Paul Isaacs; senior pastor of Battlecreek Church in Tulsa, Okla., Dr. Alex Himaya; and author and radio host David Harris Jr. 

The discussion started with a challenging statement from Liberty’s Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser. He introduced the idea that, while the majority of Liberty students are against abortion, this discussion will hopefully spur them to become more active participants in the pro-life cause.

“Sometimes (the things) we are convinced about are the things we’re not so convicted about,” Nasser said.

Abby Johnson opened up about her transition from abortion clinic director to pro-life advocate, a story that served as the basis for the 2019 film “Unplanned.” At her Planned Parenthood job, she had to participate in an ultrasound-assisted abortion where she saw a 13-week-old baby struggle and fight against the instruments that would end his life. That experience and a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ changed her life and the direction of her mission.

Johnson shared her new mission and her organization, And Then There Were None (ATTWN), which strives to help abortion clinic workers alter their perspectives on the life-ending process. Her mission to re-humanize the clinic workers and see them with value and redeemable by Christ has been very successful.

Abby Johnson speaks about her time as an employee of Planned Parenthood and the moment she changed her perspective about abortion.

“(Since ATTWN started) 560 workers have left their jobs and come into a relationship with Christ, as well as seven full-time abortion doctors have left their abortion practices and are now defending life and walking with the Lord,” Johnson said.

Paul Isaacs outlined the beginning of Save the Storks, which helps women to see an alternative to abortion by parking vans near abortion clinics and offering them free ultrasounds before they make their decision. These women are also given information on various resources that show what is available to them and their unborn child. According to Isaacs, four out of the five girls and women who accept the ultrasound choose life.

Isaacs explained that there are different responses to injustices like abortion. We can get angry, become apathetic, or we can choose a posture of brokenness and allow truth and grace to be our approach to this issue.

Continuing the conversation, Dr. Alex Himaya spoke about the work his church is doing, namely the promotion of abortion alternatives like adoption and foster care. Battlecreek Church has seen hundreds of children added to their congregation through adoption, foster care, and respite care.

Through this process, they began to realize these families’ needs for counseling and clinics, where they can get help for children who come from difficult situations and work through the challenges that can exist in creating a new family. His church also works with other churches to help them figure out where they can also provide services.

“If we go out into the world and help somebody not have an abortion or help somebody save a life, but we don’t connect them to Jesus and connect them to Jesus lovers who will help them walk this life out, it is injustice and we have fallen short,” Himaya said.

Harris followed by emphasizing the importance of students and others getting out to vote to make a difference. He said we need “anointed people in the government” and explained it isn’t just enough to be passionate about something.

Convocation began with a moment of music and reading in honor of Black History Month.

“You can be passionate all you want about something, but if you don’t take action where it matters, it is irrelevant how passionate you are.”

D’Addesi also stressed the importance of action from passion. She is the president and co-founder of COL1972, a “fashion for life” brand. D’Addesi realized in 2019 that there were 50 fashion companies that gave funds to Planned Parenthood and none were giving to pro-life organizations.

“We can change policy, but if we are not changing the hearts of every person on this issue, policy does not matter,” D’Addesi said.

COL1972’s ministry gives people the ability to start discussions through fashions that point to life’s value, and a percentage of every purchase goes to pro-life organizations.

D’Addesi and Johnson will be sponsoring a Celebration of Life event and brunch on Saturday, Feb. 29, at the LaHaye Event Space from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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