33 Pastors and Christian Leaders Unafraid to Speak Up for Life
In the current flashpoint for the pro-life movement—sparked by an ongoing undercover video investigation of Planned Parenthood—eyes are being opened on the moral issue of abortion. This past weekend an estimated 70,000+ people showed up at 352 protest rallies across America, most held in front of Planned Parenthood clinics.
The nation’s largest #ProtestPP rally, attended by more than 4,000 in St. Paul, Minnesota, was promoted heavily by evangelical pastor John Piper, who spoke at the gathering. Such moral leadership raises a key question.
While the Catholic Church has been unequivocal in its pro-life stance and public advocacy, what of evangelical Christians—who encompass a vast diversity of denominations, generations and backgrounds?
Signs point toward evangelical churches beginning to find their voice, speaking up for vulnerable pre-born lives. The following 33 leading evangelical Christian voices, by no means a comprehensive list, illustrate how believers are bringing a light of conscience to our culture.
Rick Warren | Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church and Author | Lake Forest, California
More Americans have died by being aborted than died in all the wars we’ve fought combined. A generation of talent is missing.
— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) July 22, 2015
Todd Wagner | Senior Pastor, Watermark Church | Dallas, Texas
Best way to #ProtestPP today. 1-Pray 2-Prepare https://t.co/VsmfP8rpEt 3-Love LIFE (everyone you meet) 4-Let others know truth-SPEAK UP
— Todd Wagner (@wordsfromwags) Aug. 22, 2015
Christine Caine | Speaker and Founder of The A21 Campaign | Baulkham Hills, Australia
PLEASE READ THIS! RT @AnnVoskamp: Our humble outrage must grow into helpful, holy outreach … https://t.co/aufPxCN7i7
— Christine Caine (@ChristineCaine) Aug. 7, 2015
David Platt | President of the International Missions Board, Author and Former Pastor | Birmingham, Alabama
Abortion is not primarily a political, social, women’s or children’s issue. It is a God issue: http://t.co/H5gifnkEeh
— David Platt (@plattdavid) July 27, 2015
Harry Jackson | Senior Pastor of Hope Christian Church, Speaker and Author | Beltsville, Maryland
#AnotherBoy For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb
— Harry R Jackson Jr (@BishopHarry) July 30, 2015
John Piper | Chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, Author and Former Pastor | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Before it is too late, let every knee in Planned Parenthood bow and confess, “Jesus is Lord!” to the glory of God the Father.
— John Piper (@JohnPiper) July 15, 2015
Chelsen Vicari | Director of Evangelical Action, the Institute for Religion & Democracy | Washington, DC
Grateful for a fiancé willing to spend Saturday morning protesting Planned Parenthood selling baby parts. #ProtestPP pic.twitter.com/WU3AmNEed9
— Chelsen Vicari (@ChelsenVicari) Aug. 22, 2015
Jim Garlow | Senior Pastor of Skyline Church and Radio Host for Alliance Defending Freedom | San Diego, California
My speech @protestPP on Aug 22 @abortuarySanDiego @killingbabies http://t.co/JQMX090YbI
— Jim Garlow (@JimGarlow) August 24, 2015
Randy Blankenship | Lead Pastor, New Life Church | Kokomo, Indiana
“An abortion kills the life of a baby after it has begun. It is dangerous to your life and health.” – PP –http://t.co/IJ5fOZCMYB
— Randy Blankenship Sr (@CRBlankenship) Aug. 20, 2015
Ed Stetzer | Church Planter and Lead Pastor of Grace Church | Hendersonville, Tennessee
Mainline Protestants and progressive evangelicals: you promised a prophetic voice and that’s what we’re looking for: http://t.co/NgNroI3tg5
— Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) July 17, 2015
John Hagee | Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church and Founder of Christians United for Israel | San Antonio, Texas
1/3 of #PlannedParenthood ‘s $ comes from gov’t, your tax $ funds #abortion #sellingbabyparts. Contact your senator/congressman. #DefundPP
— Pastor John Hagee (@PastorJohnHagee) Aug. 11, 2015
Lou Engle | Founder of TheCall, Speaker and Author | Pasadena, California
Jesus, I plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion, and send revival to America.
— Lou Engle (@LouEngle) Aug. 24, 2015
Jentezen Franklin | Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, Speaker and Author | Gainesville, Georgia
This is so disturbing and sad. God forgive us. If you have not watched this undercover video about… https://t.co/xcr1ROi1Od
— Jentezen Franklin (@Jentezen) July 22, 2015
Tony Perkins | President of Family Research Council, Ordained Minister and Former State Legislator | Washington, D.C.
America is seeing into the dark world of abortion created by the Supreme Court in 1973. #PPSellsBabyParts
— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) Aug. 12, 2015
Melody Green | Speaker, Author, Songwriter and President of Last Days Ministries | Lindale, Texas
Abortion methods modified according to what “baby parts” are being sold; heart, liver, lungs… Baby turned breech… http://t.co/gob6zKqR2B
— Melody Green (@MelodyGreenLDM) Aug. 14, 2015
Kevin DeYoung | Author and Sr. Pastor of University Reformed Church | East Lansing, Michigan
Jesus loves the little children of the world. Even the ones with an umbilical cord. http://t.co/l17xLIjHdJ
— Kevin DeYoung (@RevKevDeYoung) July 17, 2015
Eric Metaxas | Author, Speaker and Host of The Eric Metaxas Show | New York, New York
We can no longer deny we are killing human beings. Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. #anotherboy
— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) July 30, 2015
Kynan Bridges | Senior Pastor, Grace and Peace Global Fellowship | Tampa, Florida
Very Well Worded article about #Balitmore by a dear mighty man of God @PastorKynan http://t.co/wyHwUBLvxb
— Anna M. Aquino (@annamaquino) April 28, 2015
Randy Alcorn | Author, Former Pastor and Founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries | Gresham, Oregon
Tell a lie often enough and people will eventually believe it and recite it. This is the story of the prochoice deception in America.
— Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) July 10, 2015
James Robison | President of Life Outreach international and Host of Life Today | Fort Worth, Texas
HORRIFYING what’s going on at Planned Parenthood! http://t.co/y3tEBp9lm2
— James Robison (@revjamesrobison) July 14, 2015
Julie Roys | Writer, Speaker and Radio Host on the Moody Radio Network | Chicago, Illinois
“The Secret Shame of Abortion in the Church” my article for @CT_women http://t.co/D4k6E40LBX
— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) Feb. 25, 2015
Jeff Medders | Lead Pastor of Redeemer Church and Author | Tomball, Texas
My interview with @abc13houston at the #ProtestPP http://t.co/e2l2EJR6A6
— J.A. Medders (@mrmedders) Aug. 22, 2015
Russell Moore | President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission | Nashville, Tennessee
Planned Parenthood, that sound you hear is a reawakened and rejuvenated pro-life movement. #DefundPP #AnotherBoy
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) July 30, 2015
Franklin Graham | President of Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | Charlotte, North Carolina
Abortion is a sin and is murder in God’s eyes. Thankfully no sin is too great for God’s forgiveness—even murder. http://t.co/Q16bOqXjrg
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) July 16, 2015
Matt Chandler | Lead Pastor, The Village Church | Flower Mound, Texas
Had to watch this video 15Xs so I could hold myself 2gether preaching my sanctity of human life sermon #TVCStories http://t.co/NrCAaBRnmd“
— Matt Chandler (@MattChandler74) Jan. 29, 2015
Voddie Baucham | Church Planter and Pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church | Spring, Texas
http://t.co/Pu0Vetu8va “On Defending the Ghastly | Blog & Mablog” With release of more PP videos, we must press the abortion issue NOW!
— Voddie Baucham, Jr. (@VoddieBaucham) July 23, 2015
Scott Sauls | Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church and Author | Nashville, Tennessee
The horror. “Crush Planned Parenthood.” A scathing, needed critique from @kirstenpowers supported by @michaelrwear. http://t.co/XqaOai7GzC
— Scott Sauls (@scottsauls) July 22, 2015
Jim Daly | President of Focus on the Family and Author | Colorado Springs, Colorado
Planned Parenthood: A Tragedy Beyond Qualification http://t.co/36DcXnsrMq
— Jim Daly (@DalyFocus) July 22, 2015
Steve Riggle | Senior Pastor of Grace Church and President of Grace International | Houston, Texas
RT @charisma_news: Why can’t the church agree that #abortion is against God’s will? http://t.co/biSVJU7Sga
— Steve Riggle (@Steve_Riggle) Jan. 20, 2015
Ravi Zacharias | Christian Apologist and Author | Norcross, Georgia
You cannot treat a child as a quantity; a human being is not a quantity, a human being is an entity. #imagodei
— Ravi Zacharias (@RaviZacharias) Aug. 1, 2015
Cindy Jacobs | Co-Founder of Generals International, Speaker and Author | Dallas, Texas
We women need to be passionate and vocal about saving the life of the unborn! Don’t vote 4 Pro-Abortion candidates! #biblicalvaluevoters!
— Cindy Jacobs (@cindyjacobs) March 16, 2015
Bill Shuler | Lead Pastor, Capital Life Church | Arlington, Virginia
Tomorrow is Sanctity of Life Sunday nationwide and Pastor Bill was honored to write this guest blog for @Bound4LIFE. http://t.co/IKKp38iMS9
— Capital Life Church (@CapitalLife) Jan. 17, 2015
Todd Adkins | LifeWay Director of Leadership and Former Pastor | Nashville, Tennessee
A Christianity that doesn’t prophetically speak for human dignity is a Christianity that has lost anything distinctive to say. #Onward
— Todd Adkins (@ToddAdkins) Aug. 2, 2015
This curated list provides examples of those taking their biblical responsibility to heart—by speaking the truth in love. Perhaps Pastor John Piper sums it up best:
“God is calling passive, inactive Christians today to engage our minds and hearts and hands in exposing the barren works of darkness … To live in the great reality of being loved by God, and adopted by God, and forgiven by Christ.”
As different parts of the body of Christ, both evangelical and Catholic, we come together to seek true justice and echo the message of life we’ve been given by our Creator. We are all called to be the light of the world.
Reprinted with permission from Bound4LIFE.
