The journey of my commitment to the sanctity of life began in Dayton, where I was born and began my spiritual journey and ministry at Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Huber Heights.

It wasn’t until I was 28, though — when my parents revealed that they had adopted me — that the precious gift of life became so apparent, and personal, to me.

This life-changing revelation came with a whirlwind of emotions. I had to adapt to a new reality, and the more I learned — about my birth mother and father and my newfound siblings — the more convinced I was of the sacredness of life. I committed to the urgent need to protect it.

But a conversation with my pastor several years later brought forth a whole new illumination that redoubled that urgency.

“It’s hard to be pro-life and simultaneously pro-death,” he said. He was talking about supporting the death penalty.

It was this simple yet profound revelation that made me realize that the totality of life, not solely its origins, is what we must fight for.

For so long, we’ve been spot on when it comes to being pro-birth, but we must do more to show that we are pro-life.

I now live and minister in Tampa, and in my role as the national manager of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, I work all over the country.

I have a specific interest and connection to Ohio — both because it’s where I was born and because I have family there.

I have met with Ohio lawmakers and community leaders, and I work with a broad coalition of advocates that seek to end Ohio’s death penalty, including conservative and pro-life voices that are vital to the campaign.

Ohio has been gradually moving away from the death penalty since its reinstatement in 1981, and the last several years has seen historic, bipartisan support for repeal. Senate Bill 101 has been introduced in the state Senate, and the Judiciary Committee has already held one hearing.

I believe there are real prospects for the bill’s passage, especially given the number of conservatives in the General Assembly, who are showing their support, and the fact that Gov. Mike DeWine has signaled his concerns about the death penalty via the de facto moratorium on executions.

I seek to connect the myriad conversations happening in Ohio around life and these efforts to end the death penalty. Conversations about being pro-life are happening throughout the state: at the dinner table, on the streets, in churches, and in the statehouse.

Given the August and November elections, I believe there will be more of these conversations. And these conversations should include a real discussion about the state’s death penalty.

Ohio has executed 539 people in its history, and more than 120 people are awaiting execution. Those are all lives that we are allowing the state to extinguish in our name.

Ohio has also sentenced 11 people to death who were found to be wrongfully convicted. Other people on death row have strong claims of innocence.

So innocent lives are at risk. We have the opportunity right now to end this risk and speak up for the sanctity of life by supporting legislation to end the death penalty once and for all.

When I make the connection between being pro-life and working to end the death penalty, pro-life activists see the urgency and agree that it is a cause worth fighting for.

My pro-life journey began with adoption, but it became complete with my opposition to the death penalty.

In a post-Roe vs. Wade society, the pro-life community can and should continue to raise its voice for all life.

Ohio has an opportunity to show the nation what it means to be totally and unequivocally pro-life. It is my hope that the Buckeye state maximizes this moment.

Demetrius Minor is the national manager for Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. He resides in Tampa.

First Published June 24, 2023, 4:00 a.m.