By Ashley Gilliam

Last week, the youth team hosted Pulse leadership Institute (PLI) at Tickfaw State Park. It was a great week of learning and activism for our young pro life leaders. At PLI, students spent a full day learning and practicing pro-life apologetics, and then put those skills into action on LSU’s campus.

Students were excited to see that the methods they learned during pro life persuasion were affective when conversing with strangers on campus. Although they began the day somewhat intimidated by the task, by lunch students were excited to approach people and ask them about their views on pro-life matters.

Then our students took a trip to the State Capital, where they met with Representative  Emily Chenevert and presented their testimonies as to why they are pro-life. The students shared their personal stories and connections with the pro life movement and promised to continue standing for life.

We also heard from amazing local and national speakers on topics such as the Impact Of Abortion, the chemical abortion pill crisis, third-party reproduction, and the pro-life movement throughout the ages. Students were touched by the impactful stories and had many questions for every speaker.

The students presented their Statements of Action. Students shared way in which they plan to continue their involvement, such as joining a pro-life group or starting one on their campus volunteering for a pregnancy resource center, and getting involved with the social media ambassador program.

Before their departure home, the students traveled over to Baton Rouge to attend the Pro-Life Summit. At the summit, they were presented with Pulse bricks during commission ceremony. Three special students were also awarded for their excellence throughout the week.

The Outstanding Advocate Award went to Gracie Martin, for her dedication to the pro-life movement through advocacy and activism. The Compassion in Action award was awarded to Miracle Clifton for her consistent efforts in a compassionate approach to the pro-life movement. Last, but certainly not least, the Faithful Servant Award was awarded to Cameron Slate for his dedication to the pro-life cause that is deeply rooted in his faithful and spiritual convictions and lived out through his everyday actions.