- April 24, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
A group of local churches has united to bring a prominent anti-abortion speaker to Flagler County.
Gianna Jessen, who has spoken at churches and pro-life rallies for more than 20 years, will speak Oct. 12, at Veterans Park in Flagler Beach.
Jessen became an anti-abortion poster child years ago, after learning her cerebral palsy was the result of a failed abortion attempt by her teenage mother. She appeared at the National Right to Life Foundation convention and on the TV show, “The 700 Club,” with her adoptive mother while still in her teens.
The Rev. Chet Thomas, pastor for First Baptist Church of Flagler Beach, first saw her speak in 1998.
“It had a profound impact on how I viewed abortion. I had been pro-life, but I had never had that kind of passion about it,” Thomas said. “She has traveled all over the world, and she is a testament to the power of God and what He can do even in the worst of circumstances.”
Thomas helped organize Jessen’s visit, coordinating with the Rev. Alberto Esposito, of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, and with the Coastal Community Church and the First Baptist Church of Bunnell to bring her to Flagler County and organize the event.
Thomas and Esposito first began partnering on pro-life events a few years ago. “Baptists and Catholics have some differences, but we agreed this is something we all agree on,” Thomas said. “We just would like everybody to come with an open heart and listen to her story.”
Jessen will speak at 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at Veterans Park at 105 S. Second St., Flagler Beach. If it is raining Saturday, the rally will move to Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church at 915 N. Central Ave. in Flagler Beach.
