Life: Care and care well

Josiah Presley carries a unique perspective to the pro-life mission. He’s an abortion survivor.

“We’re pro-life because we believe that all life matters, not just people like you or people who believe the same things,” Presley said. “It’s not enough to care, but you have to care well.”

That was Presley’s message at the Rose Day rally held Feb. 7 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives Chamber, featuring several speakers including Pro Tempore Greg Treat, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Presley, the keynote.

The governor briefly spoke at Rose Day saying, “Oklahoma is the most pro-family state,” and “Oklahomans value the dignity of life from beginning to end.” 

Every year on Rose Day, people gather at the Oklahoma State Capitol to promote and support the lives of the unborn by meeting with their state senators and representatives, presenting them red roses. The red roses symbolize the sanctity of the unborn. 

Presley, the youth minister at North Pointe Baptist Church challenged attendees in four ways: “What we believe.” “Care about beliefs.” “Care well about beliefs.” And, “Do something about it.”

He related each of these four challenges to his story about surviving abortion and the importance of these challenges to the pro-life movement overall. Presley read Psalm 139:13-16, saying it’s an important Bible verse to him because it shows him the value of his life and other lives to God. 

“Everyone’s life is important and valuable because we’re all made in God’s image,” he said. 

The Rose Day rally concluded with Presley asserting in his speech that, “We should encourage our leaders to pass pro-life legislations to show that Oklahomans are for life.” 

Courtney Rhone is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic. 


Photo: Josiah Presley was the keynote speaker during Rose Day on Feb. 7 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Photo Courtney Rhone/Sooner Catholic.