According to an article written by Alexis Shaw for ABC News, Hatch noticed immodesty back in her elementary days.
Wow! That young? Now, she's a freshman in high school, and a few months ago she founded a new trend which challenges rather than follows culture: South Pasadena High School's Modesty Club.
Hatch's website describes what is at stake in the creation of her club: "Our bright heroic women are being made the fool. A fool to think that to be loved they must be naked. To be noticed they must be sexualized. To be admired they must be objectified."
Hatch's club is a bold statement to her peers worldwide. It's also culturally igniting.
In fact, ABC News reported that the club had more than 1,000 members worldwide last December. And the mayor of South Pasadena supported a city-wide "modesty week" that same month.
Instead of complaining about culture "It's so hard to find modest clothes these days…" or imitating culture in a nicer way "just change the words to the song and we can keep the cool beat…" Hatch is creating culture.
That takes innovation, strength and boldness. It's no easy torch to pick up. But world-changers like Hatch did-- as a teen, nonetheless. She's paved an example that we cannot ignore.
Our world is full of trends- many of which are very upsetting. I see three imperative tools that can help Christians respond to these upsetting trends appropriately:
First, pray for revival in human hearts. This is where real change begins, and it is God's greatest work.
Second, for those who are Christ-followers, focus on being obedient. Not only are those outside the church disregarding scripture-- many inside the church have found it convenient to do so as well!
God calls us to obey Him, to pursue Holiness… "without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)" We need to stop looking at the plethora of excuses around us and begin looking up. What does God require of us? We need not wonder; there are very clear commands right in His word.
In the midst of upsetting trends, it's more important than ever that I follow Jesus entirely-- with mind, body and heart. Be pure. As much as possible, live a life without fault. Follow God's commands, thereby honoring Him. Focusing on this task alone makes me a more powerful vessel which God can use.
Thirdly, after committing myself to prayer and obedience, the next step is to be good stewards of our gifts and callings. God has bestowed something special within each of us. Respond to your gifts in ways that honor Him. This last step is what Hatch has done: she followed her passions and used her talents to start a new trend.
This process reminds me of a much loved scripture: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart," says the Psalmist in Psalms 37:4-6 (NIV). "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
Commit your way to the Lord... He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn... Wow. Even if the world despises us, this truth is sure to encourage us.
Hatch's family never said this was easy. In fact, they witnessed the death threats and thousands of hate messages Saige's brother had received after he started a "No Cussing Club" in 2009. Saige Hatch knew the risk in starting a Modesty Club, but she did it anyway.
"People are afraid to stand up," she told ABC news. "I know there are a lot of people who wanted to start it, but sometimes it's hard to stand up and take the courage to start a club."
Hatch's brother suffered much in 2009. But look what it ignited in his sister! Like Hatch's brother was to her, maybe we, too, can be an example to others who might create their own bold culture. I'm guessing that when Saige and her brother look back 50 years from now, they won't regret what they started.