Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

Charl Van Wyk was an ordinary Christian man until July 25, 1993, when terrorists assaulted the St. James Church in South Africa where he worshipped.  During that Sunday evening service, the invaders, wielding AK-47s and grenades, killed 11 and wounded 58.  Van Wyk, who was armed, was able to return fire on the attackers, driving others away and saving many lives.  His actions catapulted him into the international spotlight and his personal story was chronicled in the book, Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defense, recently re-released in a paperback edition.

His experience then provides lessons for all of us today.  America and its core freedoms are the last bastion of hope for the world and have particular impact for the future of Africa.  Join us as Mr. Van Wyk addresses the vital role America must play in advancing freedom, hope and civil society across the African continent as well as why Africa looks the way it does and what Americans need to understand about the culture to effect lasting change.