Throughout this summer, a group of energetic young interns invested their time in altering viewpoints and directing conversations on a highly contentious topic in Novi, Michigan. Sponsored by Protect Life Michigan, a pro-life organization, these interns devoted their holiday to bring awareness about the value and sanctity of life to the local residents.
From May until August, Holy Family Parish in Novi has been the hub for these interns as they spend their days engaging their community in thoughtful and respectful conversations about abortion. Their approach, comprising listening patiently and responding with compassion and knowledge, effectively started meaningful dialogues that have reportedly led to altering several residents’ beliefs on the sensitive issue.
Roaming the previously quiet summer halls of Holy Family Parish, the interns, both high school and college students, brought a renewed energy to the place, as noticed by Roxanne Hundsrucker, director of Christian Service for Holy Family. Hundsrucker expressed her delight over hosting these passionate young advocates for life and was deeply impressed by their commitment and faith-filled attitudes.
Despite having earlier intern activities, this summer marked their first full-time internship stretching over three months. Daily convening at the Holy Family Parish and lodging in local rental homes, these interns were primarily involved in door-to-door canvassing, street evangelizing, and making personalized one-on-one connections to deliberate on the abortion concern.
The parish turned into a spiritual haven for the interns, with Audrey Whipple, Protect Life Michigan’s internship coordinator, expressing how the interns felt at home there. Focusing on the importance of their mission, Whipple clarified that their base existed for praying, training, grounding themselves before their daily community reach, and to find peace amidst the spiritual battles they face in the pro-life movement.
With the summer months winding down, early reports indicate that these advocates for life have managed to interact with over 148,000 people, contributing to a surge in pro-life supporters and a decline in pro-choice believers. The young interns measure this impact based on those who have engaged with their presented pro-life perspective and those who have subsequently shifted their stance on abortion.
As engaged by these interns, the primary argument revolves around the sanctity of human rights. With science backing their claims, they plead their case that abortion infringes upon an innocent being’s basic right to life and hence violates human rights.
Reflecting on their experiences, numerous interns have also testified to the transformative power of their mission. They have recounted instances of entrenched views drastically shifting through honest dialogues and empathetic understanding. These instances further underscore the enormous potential these young change-makers hold for their community and the wider world.
The joy of seeing minds change, the pain of witnessing scars, and the strength derived from their faith has made this summer an extraordinary journey for each of these young crusaders for life. The journey, however, doesn’t end here. With more internships planned for the future and an overwhelming spirit to continue the fight, they stand as beacons of change, reiterating the power of youth and their potential when aligned with a noble cause.
