Faith leaders are carrying the torch of those who came before them.

History, be it recent or from decades ago, is laden with figures who have stood bold and firm on God’s truth. Despite threats, slander, and the crushing weight of enemy forces, Christians throughout the ages have prioritized conviction over compromise, truth over trickery, and faith over fear. The church, meaning all believers, should be emboldened by those examples. We need to be inspired by those who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. We need to see in action what we consider in theory. Christians, after all, are human — flawed and (often) easily intimidated.

When the giants of our day, be it abortion or LGBT-activism, loom over us, the temptation to cower and be silent is strong. But that’s not our calling. No, our calling is to stand as tall as we possibly can and shout from the mountain tops: My God is bigger!

These reminders are especially applicable in our time, which is saturated in fierce hostilities, great divides, horrendous violence, and so many lies. The not-so-distant assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, for example, was a wake-up call for many. His killing, conducted in cold blood, put a spotlight on a harsh reality not even Scripture attempts to sugar coat: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

It is this truth, viewed in light of tragedies such as the murder of Kirk, that have sparked a modern-day movement. In fact, this same resolve has led to a coalition of high-level, influential faith leaders (including Family Research Council President Tony Perkins) signing a letter with a bold charge for the church at large: It’s time to preach decisively and live unashamed — like the many who have come before us.

The coalition also included Jeff Bradford of Human Coalition, Bunni Pounds of Christians Engaged, Sharayah Colter of the Danbury Institute, Pastor Brad Wells of GraceWay Baptist Church, Bishop Vincent Matthews of Tabernacle Southaven Church, Pastor Joe Shakour of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dr. Daniel Akin of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Jason Rapert of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, and Chad Connelly of Faith Wins.

In the letter, the signers drew attention to one prominent issue permeating policy, debates, and civil conversation: Life. While this issue is not new to the playing field, each year brings new and (often) unexpected challenges to those fighting for the pro-life cause. In recent years, for example, we’ve seen the growing presence, influence, and destruction of the abortion drug, which now accounts for the majority of U.S. abortions. And while all professing Christians are called to speak with clarity and conviction on the sanctity of life, perhaps most of all, pastors ought to be the ones leading the charge.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,” the coalition’s letter read, “as faith leaders, we are entrusted with the solemn task of declaring the Word of God without fear or compromise. Among the great moral crises of our time, none is more urgent or devastating than abortion — the destruction of countless innocent lives created in the image of God.” The letter drew attention to how Scripture clearly speaks on this issue, such as seen in Jeremiah 1:5 (“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”) and Proverbs 24:11 (Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter”).

It continued: “Every child is a gift from the Creator, and every mother and father deserve the compassion and hope found in the Gospel. Yet in too many pulpits, this truth is absent. Silence on abortion has become one of the Church’s greatest failings.” Why? As the letter stated, it’s because “some believe abortion is not an issue in their congregations. Others, still carrying their own post-abortive wounds, feel unable to speak. Many fear offending or losing members. Still others acknowledge the importance of life, but treat it as ‘one issue among many.’”

And yet, regardless of any excuse one might give to justify their silence, one fact remains: “our silence has deadly consequences.” The coalition, through its letter, argued that “abortion is not an abstract political debate; it is the leading cause of death in America. And every week, men and women in our churches are directly touched by it. When we fail to speak, they are left vulnerable to the lies of a culture that denies the humanity of the unborn and the hope of forgiveness in Christ.”

One — perhaps the only — encouraging aspect of Charlie Kirk’s death was the way it “renewed hunger for truth.” As the letter emphasized, his “boldness in proclaiming life and truth has passed us a torch. That torch is not meant to be carried only by public figures. Rather, it belongs to the shepherds of God’s flock.” Considering this, the coalition laid forth a four-fold call to action:

1. Preach the Gospel of Life with clarity and compassion.
2. Proclaim the truth that every unborn child is sacred.
3. Offer the hope of Christ to post-abortive men and women in your pews.
4. Equip your congregations to be defenders of the vulnerable.

In the end, the faith leaders insisted, “Abortion is not merely one issue among many. It is a Gospel issue. It is the defining moral crisis of our day. And it is a moment in history when the Church must rise and speak with one voice.” And so, it concluded, “We call on you, fellow leaders, to join us in this sacred task. Let it not be said of our generation that the Church was silent while children perished and parents suffered. Let it be said that we were faithful to preach the whole counsel of God, to defend the least of these, and to shepherd our people with courage and compassion.”

In the end, the coalition’s letter offers us a crucial reminder: the pulpit is not a place for neutrality on matters of life and death, but a platform for proclaiming God’s unchanging truth. And so, as we reflect on this moment, we see that the church cannot afford complacency. After all, the lives of the unborn, the healing of the broken, and the future of our society hang in the balance. Maybe you’re not a pastor, but if you’re a Christian, ask yourself: Am I willing to speak even when it costs me? Or am I content remaining silent while evil advances?

The giants may loom large, but our God is infinitely greater. In these dark days, let us rise with compassion for the hurting and conviction for the truth, carrying forward the legacy of those who feared God more than man. Our feet may march on the earth’s surface, but our voices roar eternal truth, and our gaze pierces the vault of heaven.