It’s never been a better time to be Lutherans For Life.
For forty-three years we’ve equipped Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. Our organization exists to help Lutheran individuals and congregations find motivation, get education, and take action to proclaim the sanctity of human life and put it into practice.
We connect the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran doctrine to life issues like surprise pregnancy and terminal diagnosis. We’ve learned the words and developed the work that brings Christian care and servanthood to any place the culture uses death as a solution to difficulty or suffering. LFL’s distinctive programs, materials, staff, and nationwide network share the ways God’s gracious actions give worth and purpose to every person no matter what age, appearance, or abilities.
And it’s making a difference.
People are listening. They are gravitating to the joy and hope our message injects into uncomfortable conversations. They are supporting us and standing with us. They are speaking truth and showing love. They are experiencing and appreciating how God creates, redeems, and calls every human life as His own precious treasure from fertilization to forever. They are receiving their neighbors with courage and compassion as gifts and privileges. We are reaching and resourcing more than ever before.
As we engage Lutherans, we’re encountering others also. Our Lutheran brothers and sisters are informing, inviting, and involving those around them. We’re visiting Lutheran schools where non-Lutheran students also attend. We’re exhibiting at conferences that involve both Lutheran and non-Lutheran participants. We are hosting online events that non-Lutherans are watching alongside Lutherans. We’re fielding inquiries from non-Lutherans interested in our ministry’s unique character. We’re finding opportunities to collaborate with non-Lutheran national pro-life organizations. God’s blessings are aligning our mission even more closely with our vision: “Every Lutheran, both individually and in community, upholding the God-given value of human life and influencing society to do the same.”
So with excitement, we’ve decided to adjust our mission statement. Our principles and approaches are not changing. Never will we dilute our doctrine or drift from our history. In fact, we believe we’ve actually honed our focus like a laser. And we remain committed to Lutherans as our primary target audience. We have many Lutheran leaders, members, and parishes to motivate, educate, and activate. But we rejoice that we are coming into contact with non-Lutherans through them and alongside them. We want to acknowledge this responsibility as integral to respecting, protecting, and celebrating every member of our race. We need our constituents to know they may collaborate with life-affirming acquaintances, organizations, and initiatives where they live.
Our staff and leaders have undertaken extended reflections and conversations. And with significant enthusiasm and unity, we’ve updated our mission statement for the first time in over a decade.
The mission of Lutherans For Life is to equip Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
We treasure our vocation and responsibility to serve Lutherans. We’ve witnessed you devoting yourselves to the vocation of serving all those our Lord causes to cross your paths. We pledge to not only continue but to intensify our serving and equipping you to serve and equip them.
And we invite you to join in our delight at further dedicating ourselves to changing hearts and saving lives!
In truth and love,
Rev. Michael W. Salemink, Executive Director of Mission and Ministry