2023 LFL National Conference Packet Booklet
2023 Lutherans For Life National Conference
2023 Lutherans For Life National Conference • October 11-13
Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport | Erlanger, Kentucky, with visits to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum
Lutherans For Life national and regional conferences allow our team to come directly to you with the For Life Gospel message. These gatherings are wonderful times spent together where we can provide valuable information and encouragement to you, your community, and the life-affirming work you are engaged in.
LFL 2023 National Conference – Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
by Erika Peterson, Events Coordinator
Let’s take a quick look back at the 2023 Lutherans For Life National Conference.
277 dear souls attended this remarkable conference, held in Erlanger, Kentucky, under the theme Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. More than 50 percent were first time attendees, and we had dozens of children and young people in attendance!
Our keynote addresses by Rebecca Kiessling and Pastor Mark Chavez shared very personal journeys through intimate life issues. Conceived in rape, nearly aborted, then adopted into a loving home, Rebecca has become a fierce advocate for children conceived in rape, adoption, and the For Life movement. Pastor Chavez spoke of finding the Lord and His joy as he walked with his wife through a terminal illness.
Additionally, experts presented on immigration, human trafficking, speaking truth into distortions of human sexuality, and reaching youth and adults For Life. After the first morning sessions, the conference attendees visited the Creation Museum and the updated Fearfully and Wonderfully Made exhibit for a day of immersion into God’s truth of how we are created. On day two, the afternoon visit to the Ark Encounter brought many smiles as conference attendees discovered the wonder of the life size model of Noah’s Ark and reflected on God’s mercy throughout the ages.
We are grateful for the engagement and fellowship from all of the participants and look forward to seeing you again in 2024 at our regional conferences!
Links
- Creation Museum
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Exhibit at the Creation Museum
- Ark Encounter
- Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries
- The Federalist
- Being Lutheran
- Save the 1
Questions?
Contact Events Coordinator Erika Peterson | epeterson@lutheransforlife.org
Audio
2023 LFL National Conference: Rev. Adam Osier – The Sanctity of Life: Gospel Foundations and Imperatives – In this session, Rev. Adam Osier will discuss how the value of every human life is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and explore practical ways in which this reality informs and motivates the various vocations of the Christian’s life.
2023 LFL National Conference: Chrissie Gillet – Peace – Developing Mental Health Sanctuaries in an Anxious World – In this anxious world, we are often overcome by fears. While not all experiences of fear result in functional impairment, which would then be considered a mental illness, they can still impact our daily lives in a harmful way. God recognizes the danger of fear and commands us not to be afraid (Joshua 1:9). In this presentation, we will discuss the spiritual danger of fear/anxiety and what the Lord has done to give us peace.
Download: Peace Handout – Deaconess Chrissie Gillet
Download: Peace and Fear Handout – Deaconess Chrissie Gillet
2023 LFL National Conference: Chrissie Gillet – Peace – Developing Mental Health Sanctuaries in an Anxious World (repeat session)
2023 LFL National Conference: Virginia Flo – Introducing the LFL Frontline Playbook: Discover How to Implement Proven LFL Programs in New and Creative Ways – Learn how to repurpose some of the best LFL Frontline resources. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. LFL has a variety of For Life resources already developed that you can utilize immediately in your local For Life ministry in the churches you serve. The playbook will provide optional game plans for your best program results as you adapt them to your unique local needs.
2023 LFL National Conference: Sheryl DeWitt – Redeeming Life Maternity Home: Solution-Based Ministry to Single Pregnant Women in Crisis – Learn how Redeeming Life, an RSO of the LCMS, is bringing life and hope to single mothers who want to choose life for their babies but lack the necessary resources to do so. By focusing on the reasons many women give for aborting their baby, we work to remove the barriers and provide solid solutions for a life choice.
2023 LFL National Conference: Cameron Schroeder – A Generation after God’s Own Heart: Discipling Gen Z for a Lifetime of Knowing Jesus – Church leaders around the country are clamoring to answer the question: Why are all the young people leaving the Church? The truth is, they’re still here … we just need to find better ways to reach them. Cameron Schroeder will speak from his youth ministry experience in church, school, and camp settings to bolster your heart for discipling the youth in your community and give you some useful strategies to do just that!
2023 LFL National Conference: Pastor Brian Barlow – In this workshop, Pastor Brian Barlow speaks on, Called out of the Grave – Leaving My Grave Clothes Behind. Called out of the grave into a new life in Christ is every believer’s promise in Baptism. Our grave clothes are removed, and the once-disfigured life ruled by confusion and rebellion is covered and made new. The rise of gay Christianity has promoted a false gospel and brings despair, not hope, to those suffering from gender dysphoria, their loved ones, pastors, and those called to extend pastoral care. Rev. Brian Barlow offers a clear voice of hope and perspective to pastoral care, having been called out of a life disordered by homosexuality.
2023 LFL National Conference: Michelle Bauman – Raising Kids 4 Life – Parenting is a labor of love. It’s a vocation filled with both joy and sorrow, success and failure. Between early mornings and sleepless nights, parents are given the important task of caring for their children in body and soul. But the world and all of its brokenness certainly doesn’t make that task easy, especially when it comes to the topic of life issues. How do we prepare our children for the life issues they’re certain to face? This presentation will offer basic guidelines for developmentally appropriate topics and conversations with our children, as well as rationale for starting conversations about LIFE today!
2023 LFL National Conference: Michelle Bauman – Raising Kids 4 Life (repeat session)
2023 LFL National Conference: Scott Licht – Invisible to Indispensable – There are many people who are societally “invisible” – people with disabilities, victims of abuse, unwed mothers, children in the foster care system (and those who have slipped through the cracks). What does Scripture say about these “invisible” people? And how can the Church minister to, with, and from these indispensable individuals? Join this interactive session to give and take suggestions for your local context.
2023 LFL National Conference: Pastor Michael Salemink – Serving and Supporting YOU – Our Ministry Partners! – Lutherans For Life would like to invite YOU, our ministry partners, to an in-depth look into the five-year history of giving to Lutherans For Life. During our time together, we will also discuss the ways Lutherans For Life is celebrating, serving, and supporting our life affirming advocates.
Videos
Rev. Salemink – Life after Dobbs: Q & A
Pastor Mark Chavez – Joy and Death: The Blessing of Falling Asleep in Jesus – Our Heavenly Father promises an abundant, joyful life in Jesus. His promise includes all of life, even the most difficult experiences like illness and dying. Embracing our life in Christ in those challenging times sets us free to receive the Father’s unexpected joyful blessings.
Workshop – Cameron Schroeder: A Generation after God’s Own Heart: Discipling Gen Z for a Lifetime of Knowing Jesus – Church leaders around the country are clamoring to answer the question: Why are all the young people leaving the Church? The truth is, they’re still here … we just need to find better ways to reach them. Cameron Schroeder will speak from his youth ministry experience in church, school, and camp settings to bolster your heart for discipling the youth in your community and give you some useful strategies to do just that!
Workshop – Emily Jashinsky: This presentation, The Human Cost of Open Borders, will explore the human costs of open border policies that often go ignored in mainstream political discourse. America’s porous southern border allows for unspeakable cruelty by Mexican cartels that now terrorize much of North and South America, reaping billions of dollars in the process.
Workshop – Pastor Brian Barlow: In this workshop, Pastor Brian Barlow speaks on, Called out of the Grave – Leaving My Grave Clothes Behind. Called out of the grave into a new life in Christ is every believer’s promise in Baptism. Our grave clothes are removed, and the once-disfigured life ruled by confusion and rebellion is covered and made new. The rise of gay Christianity has promoted a false gospel and brings despair, not hope, to those suffering from gender dysphoria, their loved ones, pastors, and those called to extend pastoral care. Rev. Brian Barlow offers a clear voice of hope and perspective to pastoral care, having been called out of a life disordered by homosexuality.
Keynote Address – Rebecca Kiessling: Equal Protection—No Exceptions. Rebecca will share her story and why every child deserves protection without exception.
LFL Updates: Updates on the ministry of Lutherans For Life from Pastor Michael Salemink (LFL Executive Director), Michelle Bauman (Y4Life), Virginia Flo (Volunteer Relations), Deaconess Chrissy Gillet (Word of Hope). Also, artist Jeff Bolzman shares the inspiration for his beautiful artwork featured in the “I Praise You …” fold-out brochure.
An Aerial View of the Creation Museum:
An Aerial View of the Ark Encounter:
Past Conferences:
- 2022 Lutherans For Life National Conference Audio and Video
- Photo Gallery: 2022 Lutherans For Life National Conference
- 2021 Lutherans For Life Regional Conferences Audio and Video
- 2020 LFL Regional Conferences – From Invisible to Indispensable! (Archived Resources and Video)
What others are saying about Lutherans for Life Conferences:
“So much practical, inspiring information we can use to provide confidence in sharing the pro-life message.”
“This was my very first conference. I have been telling everyone how wonderful it was.”
“I was moved by the dedication of those present to champion LIFE and to give God the glory. The workshops were informative and helpful. It was worthwhile!!!!”
“This conference was excellent … Thanks for all the planning and thought put into this conference. Well done.”
“It was my first time in attendance at a national LFL conference. How wonderful to know that we have Christian people with such a wealth of knowledge on these important matters.”
Past Lutherans for Life Conference themes:
2022 LFL National Conference: Blessed For Life 2021 LFL Regional Conferences: God Chose You 2020 LFL Regional Conferences: From Invisible to Indispensable! 2019 LFL National Conference: “Did God Really Say … ?”
2018 LFL National Conference: From Age to Age the Same
2017 LFL National Conference: Hope for Life
2016 LFL National Conference: Here We Stand
2015 LFL National Conference: Created – Redeemed – Called