On Friday, May 15, Lutherans For Life was blessed to welcome 108 guests to our Spring Fundraising Gala at the Concordia Center for Environmental Stewardship building on the campus of Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.
The evening was filled with joyful fellowship, meaningful conversation, wonderful food, and Christ-centered encouragement focused on the God-given value of every human life. Guests enjoyed a social hour and dinner; heard a mission, ministry, and impact presentation highlighting the life-changing work of Lutherans For Life; received updates from our LFL ministry departments; enjoyed an inspiring keynote address from Katie Coblentz; and were invited to partner in LFL’s Gospel-centered mission through a special time of giving.
Through the incredible support of our Spring Gala sponsors, as well as those in attendance on May 15, approximately $21,000 in gross revenue was received to support the ongoing mission and ministry of Lutherans For Life.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote presentation from Katie Coblentz, who shared her powerful testimony of struggle, healing, and renewed identity in Christ after identifying as transgender and undergoing medical interventions in her teens and early twenties.
Her husband, Josiah Coblentz, beautifully connected Katie’s story to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, reminding guests of His forgiveness, mercy, redemption, and unfailing love.
The evening was a powerful witness to the hope found in Christ and a joyful reminder that, together, we can continue equipping individuals, families, churches, and communities to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
If you were not able to make it to the Lutherans For Life Spring Gala, you can still donate by clicking here.
Free Download Available
During her keynote presentation, Katie mentioned a helpful tool for parents. Please follow the link below for the free study guide.
Lost in Error’s Maze — A Compassionate Guide for Parents of Children Struggling with Gender Identity
Through its Created Male and Female Task Force, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod offers a guide titled “Lost in Error’s Maze — A Compassionate Guide for Parents of Children Struggling with Gender Identity.”
Loneliness. Despair. Grief. Children who struggle with a transgender identity have parents who love them deeply, but both parents and children often feel confused, broken and alone. Yet, they are not forgotten, and Christ’s promises never cease to be for them.
Meanwhile, the questions remain. Can a person actually be transgender? Should I support my child’s transition? Can a child come back from transition? What do I do now?
In this brief and compassionate guide, Katie Coblentz answers these questions and proclaims God’s truth to help parents love and care for their children through the most challenging of times.
Coblentz, a member of an LCMS congregation, identified as transgender in her teens and early adulthood. She took testosterone and underwent a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy as part of the transgender process. She later repented of the transgender lifestyle and resumed living as a woman. Coblentz has shared her story at churches around the country, focusing specifically on Baptism and identity.
Platinum Sponsor
- Reis & Reis CPAs & Advisors – reiscpa.com – Reis & Reis is a Certified Public Accounting and advisory firm. We are a full service, client focused firm that has been serving our clients since 1995. We specialize in individual, small and medium size businesses in numerous industries. We provide accounting and tax services throughout the state of Wisconsin.
Gold Sponsor
- Concordia University Wisconsin – cuw.edu – forms students for meaningful lives of service while placing Christ at the center. We value God’s gift of life to our students and those whom they serve.
Silver Sponsor
- Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Brian Peterson – trinitymilwaukee.org
- Lutheran Church Extension Fund – South Wisconsin District – The mission of Lutheran Church Extension Fund is to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. lcef.org/district/south-wisconsin-district/
- Anonymous
Bronze Sponsor
- Lutheran Church Extension Fund – North Wisconsin District – nwdlcms.org/lcef
- Christian Life Resources – christianliferesources.com