A Message from Alex, Brett, Penny, and Zach
With the voting closed for CNN Heroes, it’s easy to feel discouraged that Zach didn’t win. When we started he had less than 10 percent of the vote, and there were several times when we pushed him as far up as 35 percent. You all are incredible.
Several rebelutionaries contacted CNN and discovered that not all our votes were counted — despite the fact that they had told us that people could vote as much as they like. Please don’t send angry emails to CNN, but do know that if every vote made by rebelutionaries had been counted, Zach would likely have won.
Thank you. We asked you to help out a fellow rebelutionary, and you responded in a big way. We’ll be stronger for the next challenge — ready for the even bigger opportunity. Effort for a noble cause is never wasted.
But enough from Brett and me. Both Zach and his mom, Penny, wanted to express their appreciation to you, as well — and sent the following notes:
Dear Rebelutionaries,
Thank you for your heroic efforts to vote for Zach — but more importantly, for opening your heart to know the truth about what’s happening to our neighbors around the world who are suffering. Zach will be posting something here this afternoon (thanks Brett and Alex for allowing this.) God bless you all as you fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith and the One who was anointed to preach the good news to the poor, afflicted and oppressed.
Penny Hunter
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Hi Rebelutionaries!
Thank you all for voting on the CNN Heroes site. It really means a lot that people I don’t even know would take the time to do this (and it sounds like some of you spent a LOT of time voting!). I was really impressed by the work of the other nominees and I’m glad that CNN has given us all a platform to bring attention to the important work being done by this generation. But, I’m sure there are many other young people out there doing even more incredible work that will never get noticed.
Please pray for Pat. I got a message from him online last week and he was at the hospital getting chemotherapy. I think this is part of his regular, ongoing treatment for leukemia.
May all of you grow to view service around the world and in your communities as an extension of your faith in Jesus Christ. Stay grounded in His Word and let your light shine before men so they will see your good deeds and glorify you Father who is in heaven.
I’m grateful to you all,
Zach
November 12th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Your Welcome! Glad to help out a fellow Rebelutionaries! I’ll be praying for Pat.
November 12th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Zach, Im glad we could have the privilage of helping you with voting for a noble cause! It is so encouraging to see a young man getting involved in something so big! It reminds me of David facing Goliath. I pray that God would continue to give you the words to speak, the sources in which to fight this fight, and the strength to press on, Zach! I also hope that many, by hearing your story, would be motivated to find something to be passionate about and to do it to God’s glory!
Alex, Brett, how did you do with your book deadline? I pray all went well…we didn’t get to hear much on that! =] And also, when do you guys leave for Japan? I think many of us would like to pray for you guys before you take off!
November 12th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
To even be put on the CNN Heros site must of been such a blessing to Zach and his parents. We wish he would of won, but he has already won the race of good faith. Well done Zach! We will continue to support and pray for your cause.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
What an incredibly encouraging response from the Rebelutionaries! Zach is such an inspiration.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Despite the fact that he didn’t win, I’m certain there are other and better things for him to accomplish! God bless you Zach!
November 13th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Thanks for having such a good attitude, Zach! I would probably be upset right now if this happened to me.
November 13th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Zach, thank you for your example of not being afraid to go against the norm and “do hard things.” Even though you did not win, you are already an inspiration to many. One of my friends - the daughter of our pastor - was encouraged by your example that young people CAN make a difference, and was inspired to start an orgainization within our church to help the foster-kids in our area.
I know the Lord has great plans for you, Zach. Thank you for being his servant and having a good attitude through disappointment!
November 13th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Thanks so much eveyone for your examples to all. Zack, it’s such an insperation to see fellow Christians Go out and do somthing to help others in need. We all don’t see teens doing that very often. Also Brett and Alex, your encouragement to zach was a great Godly example of How to boost each other up in brotherly encouragement. Thanks for the examples!!
November 13th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I have to agree with ariadne. I’d be very upset if I lost, and probably wouldn’t be as gracious about losing. Thank you for your example, and I will be praying for Pat.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Good point, many people were able to be witnessed to just by his being able to be put up on that poll. More may have been done than we think.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I’m glad I did!
I’m not sure if anyone told you this already, but God planned for you not to make it. And he has a even bigger plan for you, I’m sure!
November 13th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I wish he would have won but I am excited that God has something better in store for you Zach! I pray that God will bless you in this lose and show you the light He has in this lose though you may not see it right now!
November 14th, 2007 at 9:36 am
A part of me does wish that you had won, but the other part is glad that Pat did win. His is a good cause too and God is working through this “loss.” I will keep Pat in prayers, could you keep us updated on his condition?
November 14th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Zach, you are an encouragment to us all by your actions and words before and after the results- I know that God will continue to do great things through you as you trust Him!
November 14th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
As everyone else has said, God has big plans for you, Zach, and we’re all praying for you as you serve God and grow closer to Him. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe. And we’re also praying for Pat.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Hey Zach!
Praying for you! And I will pray for Pat. Please keep us updated on him.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Hey everyone! My Family and I just finished watching Amazing Grace, the story of the life of William Wilberforce. (Speaking of just finished, I am sitting here as my family is watching the extras, and Zach is talking about modern day slavery!!!! Wow!) I have been so encouraged and inspired, specifically that I can make a difference!!!!! One of the lines in the movie that stood out to me the most was towards the end, where Lord Charles Fox stands up after the bill is passed abolishing slavery, and he contrasts Wilberforce to Napolean. Personally, I hadn’t ever Heard of Wilberforce until this movie came out, yet he had such an amazing impact in the history of slave trade, and he poured out his life for this passion he had. Zach- I know that you may be discouraged right now because you didn’t win the vote, but I know that God has something even greater in store for you, and all you have to do is keep pressing on toward your goal with a passion, and He will come through for you. God Bless you!!!!!!
Your sister in Christ,
Amanda
November 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
It’s great that a Christian witness was featured on CNN of all places. I’ll bet old Teddy Turner was having a royal hissyfit, LOL.
Someone should send the guys at Fox News some information on Zach. I’ll bet they’d actually do a feature on him as a young person making a difference for good in this rather spiritually ill nation. Can you imagine him on Bill O’Reilly?
November 19th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
What a inspirational testimony!!! Keep on fire for Jesus , Zach!!! And I will pray for you that you will not heed the world, But that you will love and listen to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!!!
God bless,
Talitha
November 26th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Hey Hunter Family (Zach)!
It really is neat to a teenagers out there helping causes that so many people are totally unaware of! I will definetely keep Pat in my prayers. We also had a friend go through lukemia treatments. Tell Pat that there is an end! 
Our friend will end his treatments in February (Lord willing) after 3 years of batteling this disease. God Bless you all.
I wish I had heard about your great cause earlier so I could have supported it!
Tiffany
February 12th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hey Zach,
I to am an abolishtionist.I would love to give you my story but im afraid there is not unuff room for that.I want you to know that you are my hero.I believe God led me to this through you.Thank you for your pashion.I have some ideas.I would like to share them with you.Is it all right if I send a letter to you?Thank you for helping open doors that a lot people do not dare to knock on.I pray for you every day.God bless. your sister in Christ, Hannah p.s. I to started when I was 12.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I;m truly thankful for what you are doing, and admire it with a sincere heart. 1 Timothy 4:12 is one of my favorite verses in which I set my standards to honor God, because that’s all that matters.I learned about you through the movie “Amazing Grace,”Praise God for what you are doing! I will be praying for you and devestating situation of slavery around the world.:)