We met Ashlee a couple years ago on the Rock for Life Summer Festivals Tour.  Ashlee was conceived when her mom was fourteen, her dad wasn't around and her grandma advocated for abortion.  We are glad that her mom choose life!

by Jeff McLain 

Jason is the lead singer and songwriter of the band by his name, the Jason Lovins Band. He is heavily influenced by and a fan of artists like FEE and the David Crowder Band, and he ranks Mountain Dew and The Goonies as some of his biggest interests.

The Jason Lovins Band is a very active touring worship rock act, booked up already with tour dates through July.

The band is based in Ashland, Kentucky, a beautiful area of the Appalachian mountains that I have had the chance to travel through a few times.

Jason's sound is a mix of the Appalachian country and gospel music blended with contemporary worship rock. Though he's busy working at conferences and retreats, we had the chance to talk last week and Jason shared with me his story and journey.

After talking with Jason about his band and his life, I knew it would be something beneficial and interesting for our Rock for Life Netcast listeners to hear. So this week, on the Rock for Life Netcast, we interviewed him.

Jason is not only a talented musician and worship leader, but his mom was the victim of rape, of which Jason is the result. Listen to Jason tell his story on this week's netcast or by clicking on the video.

I could compare the number of deaths between abortion and AIDS, but all death is tragic. There is no doubt that the AIDS pandemic is a humanitarian issue. The precious orphaned children deserve our attention and assistance. And as Christians, we should care for and love those who have contracted HIV/AIDS. 

But instead of nit-picking over the assumption that AIDS is the “greatest” humanitarian crisis of all time, I want to urge pastors to put as much effort into combating abortion as they do other social justice issues. 

Statistics say that 43 percent of American women will have an abortion. With a regular attendance of 22,000, we could guestimate that half are women and 4,000 or so at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church will have an abortion. Plus, many more men and women will be affected by it in some way.

Fortunately, Pastor Warren has been vocally pro-life, even calling abortion “a holocaust.” Many pastors believe this and would make strong statements against abortion, if asked their personal positions. However, while pastors are hosting conferences, creating web sites and launching projects dedicated to ending AIDS, poverty, and global warming, very few have put the same effort into restoring personhood to the preborn. 

Explaining the church’s role, Warren said: "As we have seen through our work around the world, because the Church has the largest distribution network, we believe it has the opportunity to not only slow the spread of HIV/AIDS, but to stop it." He’s right. Churches—especially large ones—have unprecedented networks which can yield powerful results.

My hope is that all pastors and Christian leaders will use this large “distribution network” to stop the murder of preborn children. They don’t even have to start on a large international or national scale. Just preach an uncompromising pro-life message to your congregation. Encourage your parishioners to support personhood initiatives. Have pro-life literature available in your church corridors. Support pro-life missionaries and promote sidewalk counseling. These are simple yet powerful things that every single church in America could easily implement.

Most pastors have widespread influence. However the statistics on women procuring abortions don’t change within the church. That means when pastors are silent on abortion, they are missing an opportunity to discuss an important and prevalent topic affecting (and killing off) their flocks.

Pastors, priests and clergyman, I know it’s not an easy task. You’ll get much less resistance if you pick mainstream issues that don’t stir much controversy. But, consider this: There is no shortage of people taking up popular causes such as the environment, poverty, education and AIDS. Who will speak up for the weakest, most defenseless, most vulnerable among us who are being killed en masse, sometimes right across the street from your church building?

Abortion is not an issue. It’s a human rights violation, a worldwide genocide and God hates it. Shouldn’t we do all we can to fight what God hates?

Christian musician Charlie Hall wrote a song based on Micah 6:8. He writes:

“Help us love mercy. Help us do justly. Help us walk humbly with you, God.”

May this be our prayer and the prayers of all those in Christian leadership.

We know you are busy with the holiday hustle and bustle and may not have time for a lot of activism. But there are many quick and easy things you can do in the month of December that compliment the holiday season.

Christmas is a time when most Americans get together with their families and give gifts. For many, Christmas is also a celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. This will definitely be the case in my household!

During this Christmas shopping season, we spend a significant amount of money on gifts as well as travel expenses to see family and friends. According to various online sources, the average American spends anywhere from $500 to $1000 on Christmas gifts alone. For some, I am sure it is much more.

But did you know that many companies who sell us products and services also contribute financially to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion chain? Talk about Bah! Humbug!

Think about this: What kind of message does it send when we, personhood advocates, are preaching that we must restore human rights to all—born and preborn—while purchasing products and services from companies who support abortion?

I understand that it is going to be nearly impossible to avoid every single company and service that supports moral evil. Therefore, we have decided to focus our financial boycott efforts specifically on those that contribute to Planned Parenthood, since they are the behemoth that profits from selling abortion and contraception while lying to women and protecting child predators.

This topic was the feature of our most recent edition of the Rock for Life Netcast. On this show, we went through a boycott list provided by Life Decisions International and discussed a few of the well-known companies that donate to Planned Parenthood.

We know that, over the years, many companies have ceased their financial support of Planned Parenthood after receiving letters and phone calls from consumers. Boycotts work, so why not use this tool? We know Planned Parenthood needs to make a profit to stay in business. We have seen its facilities shut down due to lack of customers. They will shut down when corporate donations dry up as well. When Planned Parenthood facilities close their doors, babies’ lives are saved and mothers are spared the trauma associated with abortion.

I highly encourage you to listen to the show and prayerfully consider joining personhood advocates from around the country who have decided to put their “money where their mouth is,” and that is NOT in the pockets of corporations who contribute to the nation’s largest abortion provider. Let Christmas be a time of joy, family and celebrating the birth of our Lord ... not a time to stuff the coffers of the anti-Christian Planned Parenthood.