2004 Conference PR

CINCINNATI, OHIO – In the Beginning . . . was Life! was the theme as more than 200 Lutherans gathered from across the United States and Canada, November 12-14, 2004, for the national conference of Lutherans For Life (LFL). Commemorating its 25^th anniversary this year, LFL, the only pan-Lutheran pro-life organization in the nation, is based in Nevada, Iowa, with 15 state/regional federations, 150 local chapters, and 745 Life Ministry Coordinators nationwide.

Dr. Jean Garton, co-founder and President emeritus of Lutherans For Life, gave the Friday night keynote address. In that address she stated that LFL has spent these past 25 years “convincing in love . . . listening to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.”

Dr. Garton said that instead of trying to be truthful, many who promote abortion try to “disguise what is happening.” We need to guard and hold fast to the truth.

According to Dr. Garton, many people still do not understand that abortion is a “billion dollar killing industry” or “what abortion is and does.” Lutherans For Life is “committed to the truth.”

She shared how both the “Roe” of Roe vs. Wade and the “Doe” of Doe vs. Bolton—the two landmark legal cases that legalized abortion in the United States for all nine months of pregnancy for any reason or no reason—now speak out against abortion. “Truth: It’s a beautiful thing,” she said.

Following Dr. Garton’s keynote, LFL President Diane Schroeder and Executive Director Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb spoke on Building on the Beginning—LFL’s Future.

Dr. Lamb said that “LFL has been growing to meet the changing world . . . God has certainly blessed LFL with resources to grow.”

In implementing a newly adopted strategic plan, LFL hopes to produce new materials in a variety of formats, including a life issue curriculum for Sunday schools, Vacation Bible schools, and high schools.

LFL President Diane Schroeder said that for 25 years LFL has made a difference in the lives of Lutherans through witnessing, educating, and speaking the truth. “We have been the hand of Christ as we worked with caring pregnancy centers . . . [and] shown compassion to thousands of men and women burdened with grief who bought the lie that abortion is a quick and easy fix.”

Dr. Lamb encouraged us to “redouble our efforts until all life is accorded the dignity given it by God.”

Saturday’s sessions included presentations on the incredible complexity of human life, the recent election, marriage, and genetics.

Sunday featured a Bible study and worship service based on the themes The Beginning and the Value of Life and The Beginning and the Word of Life as found in John 1:1-5.