As tens of thousands of people descended on our Nation’s Capital to attend the 50th March for Life last week, walking alongside marchers this year was ‘Save The 1’ founder and president, Rebecca Kiessling.
A fierce pro-life hero and no-compromise pro-lifer, Kiessling was conceived in rape and has used her testimony to start her own pro-life organization, Save The 1 – which now boasts a global network of over 1,200 people with stories just like hers.
We reached out to Rebecca Kiessling for an exclusive interview to find out her take on the state of the pro-life movement and the upcoming pro-life battles ahead – and here’s what she had to say.
Christian Life Daily: We are excited for the advancement of the pro-life policies across our country, and we know you are a huge part of that success, Rebecca. Thank you for your time and agreeing to share your story with us. Can you please share a little bit about your background, and your pro-life story with our readers?
Rebecca Kiessling: Thank you for reaching out to me. I’m an attorney, mother, international pro-life speaker and writer, and president and founder of Save the 1. My birth mother was abducted at knife-point by a serial rapist and sought to abort me through 2 illegal abortions in a back alley four years before Roe v. Wade became law. Because I was conceived in rape, I was targeted for abortion. But although she wanted to abort me, thankfully Michigan law protected me and my life.
Christian Life Daily: What an incredible background and story. Thank you, Rebecca, for all you do for the pro-life movement, and for your faithful advocacy for unborn babies. Since Roe v. Wade has already been overturned – can you tell me why you still march for life?
Rebecca Kiessling: We can never forget the tens of millions slaughtered under Roe v. Wade. The truth is, we are still living under the consequences of Roe and children are still being killed because of it.
We still have a large majority of states in America who have legal abortions, and prior to Roe v. Wade, many of those states did not have such laws. But in fact, child sacrifice has been going on since the days of antiquity, and this battle of life vs death will continue forever on earth.
We will always march, and never rest.
Christian Life Daily: Well said. The battle for life truly is life or death. Thank you for your strong stand for life. How has your personal faith impacted your fight in the pro-life movement?
Rebecca Kiessling: I was raised by Jewish atheists, so originally my pro-life values had nothing to do with faith.
But when I learned how I was conceived I wanted to defend my own life, and once I became a Christian, it changed and went even deeper, and now I feel a calling to go back and save others.
I feel like my life was rescued from a burning building, and now I’m going back to save others.
And, Save the 1 which I founded, is a faith-based organization. Its name comes from the parable of the lost sheep where the shepherd went back to save the one.
Christian Life Daily: I love how your organization was inspired by your faith and the desire to go back and rescue the one. It seems like many pro-life organizations are willing to say they are “pro-life” except in cases of rape. Why do you think this is?
Rebecca Kiessling: Instead of pro-life organizations leading, it’s really the legislators that are calling the shots. Pro-life organizations compromise because they care more about being favored by politicians, than standing strong on principle.
Christian Life Daily: That’s a good perspective. In my experience, when grassroots leaders sell out their principles to please politicians – it never ends well. Instead of being the voice of the people to the politicians, these grassroots leaders end up representing the politicians to the grassroots activists, telling them what they must settle for. But we must never compromise on life!
Rebecca Kiessling: Yes. And Jesus said your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these should perish. He told us to leave the 99 to save the one, and to defend the least of these. Defending the least of these is a huge Biblical principle, and the heart behind why I started Save The 1.
Christian Life Daily: Amen. I completely agree with you. And now, the overturning of Roe v. Wade presents new challenges and opportunities for the pro-life movement. Personally, what do you see as the greatest opportunities and challenges for pro-lifers in this new era?
Rebecca Kiessling: Fighting the rape exception. A whole bunch of states passed abortion bans… but still want rape exceptions. Pro-life organizations are still willing to sacrifice the child conceived in rape in order to protect politicians.
I’m also working with legislators on messaging, as many legislators tell me they know what is morally right, but feel like it is politically “indefensible” to have a “no exceptions” stance in pro-life legislation, so they end up caving to the pressure.
However, after attending my research-based training on messaging, many have changed their position because they realize language is effective. I’ve even spoken with two separate presidential candidates who used to believe a rape exception was needed in pro-life legislation – but after I spoke with them and shared my testimony their hearts changed – so it can be done!
Christian Life Daily: Wow. Way to go. Thank you, Rebecca, for chatting with us – we wish you success in your battle for life – and please know you aren’t alone! The writers and staff at Christian Life Daily also believe every baby is a gift from God, and deserves the right to be born.
Rebecca Kiessling: Thank you it’s good to be alive. But I know there’s nothing extra special about me that makes me more worthy of life than others – so we all must continue fighting so others have the same opportunity at life as I did. We must fight to save the one.
A huge thank you to Rebecca Kiessling for being a consistent voice in the pro-life movement, and often a lone voice in advocating for babies conceived in rape – and the mother’s that had them.
Your work is changing hearts and minds – and your commitment to hold politicians accountable for their votes is changing the political landscape in America.
You can learn more about ‘Save The 1’ here and follow Rebecca’s pro-life journey through her Facebook page.
Do you agree with Rebecca Kiessling that pro-lifers need to hold strong to their pro-life views and not compromise on the rape exception?
What words of encouragement do you have for Rebecca?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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