Protecting Life Restores Families

From Guest-blogger and Regent 3^rd Year Law Student Jennifer D. Jones, Associate Presiding Officer, Honor Council, and President, Regent Students for Life

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” – Proverbs 31:8

At Regent University, students are encouraged to consider their professional vocation as a mission, a calling by God.  Students are also urged to be involved in making a difference in their community for the glory of God. Regent University is a special place to obtain an education because it does not provide students with just an education in their field of study; rather, it encourages students to contemplate how they can use their education as a way to minister to society.

One way in which students practice this is through student organizations, such as Regent Students for Life.  This organization is focused on 1) raising awareness on issues surrounding life, primarily the issue of abortion, and 2) encouraging others to allow that knowledge to set a fire in their hearts to be moved into action.  Regent Students for Life desires to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves – for the unborn children in the womb.  It seeks to minister to women who are facing a crisis pregnancy through prayer and support.  It takes the position that every single life – born and unborn – is precious, sacred, and ordained by God.

This spring, Regent Students for Life has several exciting events planned to further its objectives, two of which are happening in the month of January. January is a particularly special month for those involved with pro-life activities as it is considered Sanctity of Human Life month.  This is because on January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court of the United States released its infamous decisions on Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Through its decisions abortion was legalized, enabling women to claim this as a fundamental right. Ever since then, pro-life organizations and individuals have faithfully spoken up for the rights of unborn children, reminding society that the lives of unborn children are sacred.

First on its agenda, Regent Students for Life is taking a group up to the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 22.  The March was first organized by Nellie Gray the year after the Roe and Doe decisions.  Every year since abortion was legalized, the numbers of those attending the national March for Life have steadily increased.  It is an experience unlike any other as people from all over the nation gather together in support of defending the right to life.

Then on Thursday, January 30, Regent Students for Life will be hosting law chapel.  This chapel is particularly close to the hearts of those involved with Regent Students for Life as they are bringing in Rebecca Kiessling.  Ms. Kiessling, a family law attorney in Michigan, has an incredible story to share about her experience as a survivor of conception by rape. At that time, abortion was illegal as Roe and all the cases that followed had not yet occurred.  Her birth mother wanted to get a back-alley abortion. In fact, her birth mother went two different times to pursue that end, but both times she backed out. Instead, Rebecca Kiessling was given the gift of life and placed for adoption.  Her inspirational story is sure to touch the hearts of all who attend.

Later in the semester the organization will be hosting a baby bottle drive which will raise donations for the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater. This will be a way in which the students can know they are doing something practical.  It is a tangible way to help provide love and support to mothers facing crisis pregnancies while also supporting the work of a local crisis pregnancy center.

Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves – whether through a peaceful march, raising awareness with inspirational speakers, or raising donations – is an essential way in which society restores the family unit.  Abortion hurts the family unit, but through God’s grace there is healing.  Through the power of prayer, everyone who has been hurt from an abortion (babies, mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings, other family members, physicians, and society as a whole) can be restored to wholeness once again. Together, we can restore families by speaking up and defending the rights of these sacred lives.