MATTHEW BARTHOLOME

Matthew Bartholome was raised in a Christian home and attended church most of his life, yet he wrestled with a common question: Why Jesus? Though he believed in a divine Creator, his faith became personal at fourteen after his dog died. In his grief, he prayed that God would send him another animal if He truly heard him. Two weeks later, a stray cat appeared and never left. Matthew saw this as God’s answer—proof that Jesus was alive and listening.

Still, he didn’t fully surrender his life to God until eighteen. One Sunday in church, he heard a voice call his name three times, ending with the question: “What are you doing with your life that’s better than what I could be doing?” For weeks, Matthew tried to ignore that encounter, but during that time he felt empty—void of love, joy, and peace. Convicted, Matthew finally surrendered, deciding to make the Lord his everything.

Soon after, during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Matthew’s church closed its doors. Searching for a place to worship, he found Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, where he witnessed believers on fire for God—serving, sacrificing, and living boldly for their faith. Their example would later shape his heart for ministry and the pro-life movement.

A year later, a friend invited Matthew to a Love Life prayer walk. At first, he didn’t understand the need to “walk and pray,” but when he arrived, he realized it was held outside a Planned Parenthood. There he saw the pain of women being deceived, the heartbreak of those leaving in tears, and the spiritual battle waging for preborn lives. Matthew knew then that God was calling him to stand for the preborn as a sidewalk counselor.

Through Love Life, Matthew found a community marked by love and compassion. The people he served with demonstrated that the heart of the pro-life movement is rooted in genuine concern for others. As Matthew says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

A short time later, Matthew planned to attend the California March for Life but couldn’t find a ride—until a friend introduced him to Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. Survivors offered him a ride, and what began as a convenient trip became a life-changing encounter. At Survivors events, Matthew saw that public, bold activism could lead to real change —lawmakers shifting their stance after hearing their voices. 

When asked why he’s so determined in his mission, Matthew answers simply:

“Do you believe abortion is murder?”

“Yes.”

“Then why don’t you act like it?”

For Matthew, abortion isn’t just an issue—it’s a calling to act, to speak, and to stand for life.

“It is the very of the Gospel, that being saved from grief by grace, we are to be happy in the love and name of Jesus Christ” -John Wesley