This last Saturday, the C-FAM interns were given the opportunity to attend the Student’s for Life Conference. The Conference is an annual event put on by the non-profit, Student’s for Life.This year, the conference took place at the Northern Bethesda Marriott. Around 9am, over 2,000 high-school and college students gathered for a day of becoming more educated about the pro-life movement. The morning included speakers such as  Scott Klusendorf from the Life Training Institute and Star Parker, a woman who regretted her abortion and now speaks against the procedure that takes 330,000 lives a year. Many of the speakers beautifully tied their talks into the conferences’ theme “Be Courageous”.

 

The afternoon consisted of break-out sessions. I attended the “Theology of the Body” talk, by Damon Owens, the Executive Director of the Theology of the Body Institute. I really appreciated Damon’s statement that  unless we are able to bring young people back to the very roots of sexual integrity, we will not make any progress within the pro-life movement.

After an afternoon of talks, the President of Students for Life, Kristan Hawkins, announced the Defender of Life award, which was given to Father Frank Pavone. After receiving his award, Father Frank gave a highly inspiring speech on the importance of unity within the pro-life movement and the church.

All in all, it was an extremely rewarding day. It was wonderful to see so many young people devoting their high school and college careers to bringing the message of the pro-life movement to their communities and fellow students. I would highly recommend anyone who can attend the conference in 2014 to do so. I hope to see you there!