Each year Lutherans For Life (LFL) sponsors two essay contests for Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. The 2018 Minnesota finalists won based on their personal insights into life issues that demonstrate the meaning of the Lutherans For Life National Conference theme “From Age to Age the Same.” The theme is based on Scripture that says, you “have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:3b-4).
Hope Nelson from Rochester Central Lutheran School in Rochester, Minnesota, is the winner of the Grades 6-8 Minnesota Essay Contest. Hope wrote about the things in life an aborted child would miss if his/her life was cut short by abortion. She summed it all up with, “You yourself are one of a kind, and there will never, ever be anyone like you ever again. Each unborn baby is like that too, and they will all grow up into different, amazing people. But, if the unborn baby is aborted, that is just one human being who’s been stopped from reaching what they could be.”
Congratulations to Hope Nelson, a special person herself with a love for her Lord and Savior Jesus that showed vividly throughout her essay.
Jacob Pallas from Mayer Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minnesota, is the winner of the Grades 9-12 category. Jacob wrote a very touching essay about his friend Elly from his congregation, St. John’s in Chaska, Minnesota. Jacob described Elly this way, “God has given her the gift of hospitality and encouragement. He has also given her an extra chromosome, a condition called Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome.” He also added, “She is the most energetic, exciting young lady I have ever been around. Her presence fills the room up with pure joy.” He went on to say, “Parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis that their child has Down syndrome should be introduced to young people like Elly so that they can see that a child with Down syndrome is so much more than just a diagnosis.”
Congratulations to Jacob Pallas, a young man with a special heart for God and His creation.
The essays students write clearly show they understand life’s issues and God’s love For Life as they write from their hearts what they see in Scripture. Both winning essays will be included in the LFL National Essay Contest. The national winners will be invited to read their winning essays at the Lutherans For Life National Conference that is being held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Olivette (St. Louis), Missouri, on October 12 and 13. All the students in Minnesota who entered the contest through their school, church, or home school are winners. A special thank you as well to all the teachers, parents, and pastors who supported these students during the essay process. To God be the glory!
Virginia Flo is Regional Director of Minnesota and National Conference Director.