DAVIS—Truth can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Falls Creek gives Hope Pregnancy Center (Hope) staff an extraordinary opportunity to reach students at a pivotal time in their lives while they are forming their beliefs about life, relationships, sexuality and truth. We are not simply speaking into the decisions students are making today; we are helping shape the convictions they will carry into tomorrow, empowering students to defend life, stand on truth, push back the darkness and point others to Jesus.
The “Culture Changers: Defending Life and Pushing Back the Darkness” breakout session was attended by 1,184 students and adult sponsors. Students were challenged to understand the value of human life, recognize how culture evolved to its current view of abortion, and know what is true so they can be equipped to stand for life with courage and compassion. Hope staff spoke to 1,472 students and 239 adults through in-cabin talks, bringing the message of Hope directly into the places where students were already gathered and having conversations about real-life issues.
This Summer, Hope staff ministered to six students experiencing unintended pregnancies and connected them with pregnancy centers in their communities. We were able to walk alongside them as they considered how to have difficult conversations with their parents and the fathers of their babies. Even though they felt frightened and overwhelmed, Hope was there to remind them they were not without help, resources or hope.
Students openly shared struggles with being sexually active, pornography addiction, and the desire to establish healthy boundaries before beginning dating relationships. These conversations gave our staff the opportunity to address behaviors and point students to Jesus, His truth, forgiveness, and His plan for their lives.
The response to the breakout session was especially encouraging. Three young men told our team, “This was the best breakout we have ever been to!” They had taken five pages of notes. Two young men said what they heard had completely changed the way they view abortion and helped them understand how our society arrived at where it is today. Another student stated, “When we visit colleges, we are pressured to take condoms and party bags. They tell us we will need them in college, and everything we’ve believed will change when our parents aren’t with us to filter it. The breakout has given me courage to know I do know the truth.” A young woman told Hope staff, “Before this breakout, I truly believed abortion was safe and good for women. After this breakout I know that is horribly wrong. I feel so bad because I have encouraged several of my friends to take the pill. I need to check on them and tell them I am so sorry.”
Falls Creek staff members rotated out of their work assignments to attend the breakout. They wanted to experience it for themselves after hearing so many students talking about it.
A pastor attended the breakout and a cabin devotion provided by Hope staff. He invited us to speak to his cabin during Indian Falls Creek, resulting in another 243 students hearing the truth of life and the hope we have in Jesus.
Hope staff are grateful for the opportunity to invest in a generation being challenged every day by a culture with very different messages about life, sexuality, relationships and identity.
Hope staff are available to speak at any event, church or group. In addition, the breakout session from 2025 was recorded and is available in three, 20-minute videos along with numerous resources on the Community Resources page of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children’s website.
Learn more – https://www.obhc.org/hope-pregnancy-center-oklahoma/community-resources/
