by City on the Hill alum Kaylynn Kilmer
I have never felt more hopeless than when I found out my father had brain cancer.
There was nothing that could have prepared me for that moment. I had been trained by Godly parents who had always ensured I had all I needed and had dedicated their lives to train me up into a responsible, God-fearing young woman. However, all of this training had felt inadequate in the face of my father’s brain cancer. After all, is there really anything that can prepare someone for something so life-changing as that? If this is what it was like for me with good parents who trained me well, imagine what it would be like for someone who wasn’t blessed with battle-tested parents grounded in objective truth. Imagine how hard it would be for them to make wise decisions and to know what to do if they had never been properly taught.
Protecting Life at Pregnancy Resource Centers
Thankfully, even if people do not know what to do or have made decisions that they regret, help is available. There are places that will reach out with compassion and love.
These places are called pregnancy resource centers.
Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) once said, “There are more than 2,700 pregnancy care centers throughout the United States—every one of them an oasis of love, compassion, empathy, respect, and quality care for both mothers and their precious children.” He’s absolutely right: pregnancy resource centers are invaluable. They provide many services for new mothers as well as fathers, plus parenting classes and abortion recovery help. Their impact and influence in communities across our state and nation is profound.
One such center is called Hopegate Pregnancy and Support Centers (formerly Endless Mountains), located in northeastern Pennsylvania. This center, like others of its kind, serves as a haven to all people who are experiencing a pregnancy. Their services include ultrasounds for the expectant mother, parenting classes for mothers and fathers alike, diapers and formula for financially struggling parents, and recovery classes for women who have had an abortion.
Not only do pregnancy resource centers provide services, but they also provide these people with something incredibly important: hope. Maybe a client is experiencing an unwanted pregnancy, maybe they are struggling with being a new parent, or maybe they have had an abortion and are struggling with regret. No matter the circumstance, these centers provide much-needed support, walking alongside them in love, reminding them what a blessing their child is, and providing comfort. Without these centers, people in need would be left without hope. Thankfully, there is hope.
When I was 14 years old, I was blessed to have the opportunity to become a Jr. Board member at Hopegate, my local pregnancy resource center. This opportunity has allowed me to serve, help, and minister to so many people in ways I had never thought of before. I can joyfully say that I am a part of the inner workings of an organization that reaches out to lost and hopeless people, repairing brokenness and bringing healing. My role involved helping with rebranding, analysis, meeting feedback, and community outreach programs. This opportunity has truly been priceless, as it has allowed me to serve in ways I never would have been able to otherwise.
My work is far from perfect; I have and continue to struggle with fear and my own insecurities. However, this work has taught me to be confident in my worldview and boldly stand up for the truth of what I believe.
Equipped at City on the Hill
One opportunity that helped me stand for objective truth was City on the Hill. Due to funding graciously provided by the pregnancy resource center where I serve as a junior board member, I was able to attend PA Family’s City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference. I was excited to attend, but never could I have foreseen the immense impact that City on the Hill would have on my life. As soon as I arrived, it was clear that all of the staff there cared deeply about me personally and wanted to help, support, and guide me in love and biblical truth. On the first day of the conference, I walked into the dining room and was instantly greeted by name. These people had read over my application file and had been praying for me since they received it. This alone was enough to make me feel comfortable and cared for. Throughout the week, I found myself frequently challenged and encouraged to grow by the amazing speakers. They prompted me to seriously consider the issues in the world around me and to step up and become a leader in my community by taking action against these issues. I became a “mock senator” for the week and was taught how to defend my worldview by debating, public speaking, and learning the political process.
Without City on the Hill, I would not be nearly as equipped and confident as I am today. If you are a young person who is looking to stand up for objective truth, be challenged, grow in your faith, and develop invaluable leadership skills, City on the Hill is the place for you. It doesn’t matter if you are nervous or if you feel inadequate now; what matters is if you are willing to stand in a world that is screaming at you to kneel. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” So here is the question: are you willing to be set apart and stand out for what you believe?
City on the Hill registration is open for 2026! I encourage you to let the high schooler in your life know about it.
Visit pafamily.org/coth for more info and to register.
