At Love Life’s September 12 Youth for Life prayer walk in Raleigh, our team was prepared for opposition. A pro-abortion organization had circulated a flyer encouraging people to disrupt the gathering.
But when five college students approached, an opportunity to share the Gospel opened.
The students, who attend NC State, wanted to know what we do and why. Pastor Ben Myers of Southside Church took time to answer. For about 20 minutes, he shared the Gospel, explained why we stand for life, and talked about what the Bible says.
As the conversation continued, the students became more receptive. Before leaving, they said they wanted to come back the following month.
Pastor Ben’s response is a picture of the leadership we are seeing among pastors in the communities we serve. They are taking ownership—bringing the Gospel into their communities, answering questions with Scripture, and pointing people to Jesus.
Through that leadership, a culture of love and life is growing. As pastors step forward, they show their congregations how to stand for life with conviction, patience, and love. Pastor Ben put that into practice by recognizing an opportunity in the midst of opposition and making time for these five students.
Participants gather for prayer at Love Life’s Youth for Life prayer walk in Raleigh.
We stand firmly against abortion because every child is made in God’s image. That same truth shapes how we respond to those who oppose us. They, too, bear His image. They, too, need the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.
We cannot control why someone comes to a prayer walk. We can be ready to respond with truth, patience, and a willingness to point them to Jesus.
We don’t yet know what will come from the seeds planted that day. We do know that five college students heard the Gospel from a local pastor and left expressing a desire to return.
Please pray for these students—that God would continue working in their hearts, bring them to repentance and faith in Jesus, and use that conversation to change the direction of their lives.
This encounter reminds us why the Church needs to be present in the lives of young people. That same conviction is behind Love Life University at UC Santa Barbara, where we are working with local believers to bring Gospel hope and practical support to students.
We still need to raise $35,000 by September 30. Would you give to help us reach that goal and strengthen this ministry to college students?