Ryan Bomberger contends ‘every life has purpose’ during pro-life-themed Convocation

Liberty University welcomed pro-life advocate, columnist, and international public speaker Ryan Bomberger to Convocation on Wednesday to dispel commonly held myths about abortion and argue the inherent worth of every human being, born and unborn.

Bomberger, who cofounded The Radiance Foundation alongside his wife, Bethany, has written several books on cultural issues such as gender identity and civil rights. According to its website, the foundation’s mission is to “illuminate that every human being has inherent and equal worth, educate about culture-shaping issues, and motivate people to put truth and love into action.” Describing himself as an “agitator,” Bomberger uses his platform and testimony to champion the lives of the unborn.

“Every human life has God-given purpose — whether you were planned or unplanned, abled or disabled — in whatever beautiful human skin you have, you have purpose,” he said.

Bomberger argued that every life is worthy of love because every person has potential endowed not by human will but God’s.

Raised by his adoptive family with his 12 siblings (10 of the children were adopted), Bomberger witnessed firsthand the sacrificial love of Christ through his parents. He said his mother’s father broke off contact with her after she adopted Bomberger solely because he was black.

Addressing the misguided belief that unplanned pregnancies are unwanted and thus unloved, he argued that everyone is wanted by someone. While abortion supporters often fixate on the trials and struggles that many children would endure if they were born into tragic situations, Bomberger highlighted the potential that every individual has to rise above any of the struggles they may have and change the world for God.

“There are many people who talk about how no child should go through the trauma of suffering (in the foster care system),” he said. “Of course, we don’t want anyone to suffer. As Christians, we work to alleviate suffering and to eliminate it anywhere we can. But we live in a culture that is so fixated on trauma and wanting to stay in that place. Trauma should never be a resting place but a reference point. We serve a God who enables triumph to arise from tragedy all the time.”

One avenue through which children can arise from that tragedy is adoption.

“Adoption brings wholeness and healing to what was broken,” Bomberger said. “That may be a lifelong journey this side of Heaven, and that doesn’t mean it’s instantaneous healing, but it begins the process of healing.”

Growing up in a family with members from a variety of different racial backgrounds, Bomberger said he and his siblings were taught from an early age that color should not divide or label people but instead unite them.

“Do you want to know someone? Have a relationship with that person,” he said. “Don’t presume you know them because of the color of their skin. Don’t presume that somebody’s status of ‘wantedness’ can be determined simply by looking at them.”

Bomberger said he himself was the product of rape and is wholeheartedly grateful to his birth mother for her courage in continuing the pregnancy. Although he has never met her, he hopes to one day thank her in person for her sacrifice.

“I am literally part of the 1% that is used 100% of the time to justify abortion,” he said. “But circumstances of our conception never change the condition of our worth.”

“What the victims of violence and rape need is wholeness and healing, not abortion hucksters profiting from pain and fear,” he added.

Bomberger dismissed the often-used claim that abortion is healthcare by stating that by the same logic, slavery is nothing more than “jobcare.” He also refuted the lie that pro-life pregnancy centers are fraudulent organizations that seek to brainwash women into continuing unwanted pregnancies.

“Inside pregnancy centers, there is a transformational thing that happens,” he said. “Inside an abortion center, it is transactional. It’s about the money and ‘see you later.’ I love that The Radiance Foundation has been able to work with many pro-life pregnancy centers around the country for years and years. The difference between the abortion industries and pregnancy centers is that the abortion industry will lure women with their lies and pregnancy centers love women with their lives.”

A part of the Bombergers’ story is that his wife, Bethany, chose to become a single mom after leaving a toxic relationship and learning she was pregnant. She refused to have an abortion despite pressure from her peers. She gave birth to a daughter, Radiance, who is now a freshman at Liberty. After marrying Bethany, Bomberger adopted Radiance. Together, the couple homeschools their four children.

As Christians look to further loosen the hold that the abortion industry has on American society, Bomberger urged the students to approach the issue with love.

“When you shine God’s love and shine the light of Christ, you make lives like mine and my family possible,” he said.

Before Bomberger spoke, Liberty Vice President of Spiritual Development Joshua Rutledge thanked the close to 1,000 students who traveled from campus to Washington, D.C., on Friday to participate in the National March for Life and showed a video from the trip (linked below). The bus trip was sponsored by Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center.