Lutherans For Life

Kansas District Life Conference | Kansas March for Life
2025-01-29
Kansas Life March Registration Open!
The seventh annual Kansas District Life Conference will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka (901 SW Fillmore St., Topeka, KS 66606).
The 2025 Kansas District Life Conference will once again be in conjunction with the 2025 Kansas March for Life. The LFL-KS board will also hold its next scheduled meeting in conjunction with the Life Conference; watch for details!
Registration is free and ends January 20, 2025. Register on the LCMS Kansas District’s website at https://kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2025-life-conference/. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunches to the conference or purchase a boxed lunch ($12 each). The full schedule (including information on gathering for the Topeka March for Life) and a Rubric of Prayer for Pro-Life Vigils are also available on the registration page.
The keynote speaker is Rev. Jeffrey Hemmer, pastor of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, and author of Man Up!: The Quest for Masculinity.

Webinar: Male And Female He Created Them - Creation And Identity
2025-02-02 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Lutheran Family Service presents a free webinar for student supporters of Lutherans For Life. College and High School can be a confusing and tumultuous time for teens and young adults. One topic that is surrounded by confusion is gender identity. Christians often wonder what is happening in the world, where did these ideas come from, and how do I respond in Christian love to those that struggle with their gender identity. Join us for our webinar that focuses on grounding oneself in God’s Word of Creation as we explore how to be a Christian in a gender-confused world.
Register Here

Pastor Michael Salemink at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Frankfort, Illinois
2025-02-09 08:00 - 12:00
https://patch.com/illinois/newlenox/calendar/event/20250209/5ee3ee10-042b-46d8-8e71-ade0f705f225/reverend-michael-salemink-to-speak

Y4Life Summit – February 21-23, 2025
2025-02-21 - 2025-02-23
https://y4life.org/event/y4life-summit-february-21-23-2025/

Conference on Life, Family and Spiritual Care | March 14-15, 2025
2025-03-14 - 2025-03-15
Register for Conference on Life, Family and Spiritual Care

March 14–15, 2025 • California, Florida, Missouri & online

Registration for the Mercy: Love Throughout Life conference is now open.
https://calendar.lcms.org/event/mercy-love-throughout-life-conference-2025/

The conference, hosted by LCMS National Mission, will take place March 14–15, 2025.

Conference sessions, all of which will be livestreamed, will take place in three different locations. Participants may attend in person at one of these locations, or they may watch online.

The three in-person locations will focus on the following subject areas:

Concordia University, Irvine, California, will host sessions on marriage, life and the family at its Concordia – Spectrum Campus.
Grace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, will host sessions on spiritual care.
The International Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will host sessions on advocating, teaching and caring for human life.

Featured presenters will include:

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS president
Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, LCMS National Mission managing director
Rev. Michael Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life
Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa, senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irvine, California.
Rev. Dr. Brian Heller, manager of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry

A Spanish track will also be available. The sessions, conducted in Spanish, will be made available to watch online.

In-person registration, which includes meals and snacks, is $74 per person. In-person registration closes on March 7.

Online registration (which can be used by an individual, couple, family or group) is $29 and will be open until the first day of the conference.

Space is limited for both in-person and online registration.

All students at the Concordia universities and seminaries have free admission to this conference. To register, they will need a valid Concordia email address for verification. For more information, email lifeministry@lcms.org.

YA For Life in Austin, Texas
2025-03-21 - 2025-03-23
https://yaforlife.org/event/ya-for-life-in-austin-texas/

Word of Hope Mindfulness Class
2025-04-01 19:00 - 20:00
Join Word of Hope for an online nine-week class this spring! In this Christ-centered course adapted from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), you will learn skills that will help you develop a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions. There will be two classes—one that meets on Tuesdays, starting April 1, and one that meets on Sundays, starting April 6. There are only eight places available in each class, so sign up soon by either emailing info@word-of-hope.org or calling the hotline at 888-217-8679.

Lutherans For Life of Michigan | A Life Summit
2025-04-27 14:00 - 17:00
The Noble Quest: Defending Life in the Trenches
Sunday, April 27, 2025 | 2:00-5:00 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
329 N Sorrell St.
Fowler, MI 48835
Please join LFL of Michigan for this event to hear and learn how we can be involved in proclaiming and defending the value of every human life. This is a great event for our congregational Life Teams, Life Advocates, pastors, lay leaders, as well as anyone who would like to become more prepared to share the For Life message!
Speakers:
PETER SCAER: The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer joined the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), in 2000, bringing a focus to his courses on the Gospels of Luke and Mark, Jesus’ sacramental ministry, and the church’s enduring confession in eras of persecution. His academic path included undergraduate studies in classics at Indiana University, an MDiv from CTSFW in 1992, and a Notre Dame doctorate centered on the Lukan passion narrative in 2001. Prior to teaching, he pastored Emanuel Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Indiana, from 1996 to 2000, a period that deepened his commitment to defending vulnerable communities through hands-on ministry. This foundation fueled his long-standing work in life-affirming initiatives, beginning at Birthright, advancing to leadership in Right to Life of Northeast Indiana, and establishing Shepherds United, where he often highlights interconnected threats like the spread of addictive entertainment in heartland states. Among these, he’s critiqued Nebraska casino sites for their role in normalizing habits that strain family bonds and local economies. Through his ongoing writings and presentations, Scaer equips the church to navigate such cultural shifts, reinforcing its mission with biblical clarity.
MICHELLE BAUMAN: Michelle Bauman joined the Lutherans For Life team on June 1, 2019, and serves as the Director of Y4Life. She communicates with high school and university students about issues surrounding life, addressing them from a Biblical perspective, and supports the building and maintaining of Y4Life Teams on high school and college campuses across the nation. She earned her Lutheran Teaching Degree in secondary education from Concordia Nebraska (1998) and a master’s degree in English from the University of Indianapolis (2011). Before joining Lutherans For Life, Michelle taught middle school English at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, (1998-2002) and English, Drama, and Speech at Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour, Indiana (2002-2019). Michelle also served as the Trinity’s Recruitment Director (2004-2017). She lives in Columbus, Indiana, with her husband, Doug, who serves as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Together they have two sons and one daughter-in-love.
PASTOR PAUL CLARK is the Lutherans For Life of Michigan Federation President, as well as Life Coordinator for the Michigan District. Pastor Clark will be the M.C. of our event, as well as giving an opening presentation on the theme “The Noble Quest: Defending Life in the Trenches.”
This event is free. Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP (if possible) to Pastor Paul Clark at revpmclark@gmail.com or call or text to 517-420-4826.
PLEASE NOTE that those who have not registered are still welcome to attend.

Virtual continuing education course: Life and Death: A Confessional Framework for Pastoral Bioethics
2025-04-29 16:00 - 2025-06-03 17:15
Life and Death: A Confessional Framework for Pastoral Bioethics
The course will be taught via Zoom from 4-5:15 p.m. (CT) Tuesdays, April 29 through June 3, 2025. Each session will include 45 minutes of presentation by the primary speaker, 15 minutes of response from the secondary speaker and 15 minutes of open discussion.

Adoption Conference | Brookings, South Dakota
2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:00
You are invited to an informational conference about adoption!
Lutherans For Life of South Dakota and Lutheran Family Service are partnering together to give you relevant information as you weigh your interest in adoption.
The Presenters:

Cathy VandeBraak with information on domestic adoption and the work of Lutheran Family Service
Rev. Ryan Drevlow who will speak about foster care and the possibilities of adoption through foster care

Two Conference Dates:

May 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in Brookings, South Dakota
May 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota

To register click here or call 605-251-5243 or email pastordrevlow@gmail.com.

Promotional Downloads

Adoption Conference Flyer
Adoption Conference Bulletin Insert
Bulletin Announcement for Adoption Conference (PDF)
Bulletin Announcement for Adoption Conference (WORD)

Cancelled - Adoption Conference | Rapid City, South Dakota
2025-05-10 10:00 - 12:00
The adoption conference, sponsored by Lutherans For Life of South Dakota, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, in Rapid City has been cancelled. However, if you are interested in adoption in South Dakota, please contact Cathy VandeBraak of Lutheran Family Service at 605-271-1081, or Pastor Ryan Drevlow at 605-251-5243 or pastordrevlow@gmail.com for more information.

Brunch for Life Event | Twin Valley, Minnesota
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00
Brunch for Life opens with a Matins service followed by a presentation and brunch.
Sponsored by the Life Team at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Virginia Flo is the keynote speaker and her theme is “Life Shines at Church.”

LFL Exhibiting at North Wisconsin District LCMS Convention
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-02
Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center
10101 Market Street
Rothchild, Wisconsin
LFL Exhibitors: Michele Hartshorn, Rev. Dr. Aric Fenske, and Deaconess Chrissie Gillet, PsyD.

LFL Exhibiting at 63rd Convention of the Texas District of the LCMS
2025-06-05 - 2025-06-07
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
18220 Upper Bay Road
Houston, Texas
LFL Exhibitor: Michele Hartshorn

LFL Exhibiting at 80th Convention of the Minnesota South District - LCMS
2025-06-12 - 2025-06-14
Concordia University, St. Paul
LFL Exhibitors: Virginia Flo, Michele Hartshorn, Lowell Highby

LFL Exhibiting at Lutheran Women’s Missionary League 41st Biennial Convention
2025-06-26 08:00 - 2025-06-29 17:00
CHI Health Center
455 N. 10th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
LFL Exhibitors: Virginia Flo, Chrissie Gillet, Michele Hartshorn, Janet Nicol
Y4Life Exhibitor: Michelle Bauman

Dying Well in Christ: A Forum on the Church’s Care at Life’s End
2025-07-07 - 2025-07-09
Death and dying are not just the province of medical care, but the church’s realm. As we approach the threshold of eternity, when our last hour approaches, the time for medicine and attempts at bodily cures cease, and the need for spiritual care becomes primary. For the Christian, what was begun in Holy Baptism is completed in death as the church sees the saint safely into the arms of Jesus for all eternity. The whole life of a Christian is a preparation for when that time comes.
“Dying Well in Christ: A Forum on the Church’s Care at Life’s End,” is a conference for pastors and the people of God who seek to learn more about and help foster a faithful practice of merciful care at life’s end within the body of Christ.
Join other faithful Lutherans July 7-9, 2025, on the campus of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Use this link to learn more and register: https://www.csl.edu/dying-well-forum/.
The conference web link is: Dying Well Forum
You can find us on Facebook: Dying Well in Christ: A Forum on the Church’s Care at Life’s End
Conference phone number: 314.413.1055

Statewide Event | Lutherans For Life of Illinois | Auburn
2025-08-23 09:00 - 14:00
Update from Lutherans For Life of Illinois (8/21/25):
For those of you who really wanted to be with us in Auburn Saturday and found the distance daunting or had life throw you a curve ball so you couldn’t make it, the good folks at Trinity have worked out a live stream option just for you!
The program begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23. You can view by means of the following link at that time:
https://youtube.com/live/QZoVRuCxkuE?feature=share

Lutherans For Life of Illinois | Summer Life Gathering
2025-08-23 09:00 - 14:00
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE OF ILLINOIS PRESENTS: A Summer Life Gathering
FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
Trinity Lutheran Church,
1201 W. Jackson St.,
Auburn, Illinois 62615
August 23, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Speakers and topics include:

David Curtin, Illinois Family Institute, on effective interactions with lawmakers
Kim Marxhausen, author Weary Joy: A Caregiver’s Journey
John Tally, pro-life lawyer, on power of attorney for healthcare
Elmi Patton, First Step Women’s Center, Springfield
Julia Heinz, Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries Maternity Home
Jen Hall, We are Called to Care foster care ministry
Pastor Kevin Wendorf, St. John’s Lutheran, Chatham, on end-of-life preparation
Jerry Curry, Director of the Curry Funeral Home, on funeral planning

Download Lutherans For Life of Illinois Life Gathering 2025 Registration Form
Please register by August 10, 2025.

Mindfulness in Christ | An Online Nine-Week Class from Word of Hope
2025-09-02 19:00 - 20:00
Join Word of Hope for an online nine-week class this fall! In this Christ-centered course, adapted from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), you will learn skills that will help you develop a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions.
A Tuesday evening class and a Wednesday afternoon class will be available, beginning the first week of September. There are only eight places available in each class, so sign up soon by either emailing info@word-of-hope.org or by calling the hotline at 888-217-8679.

Installation Service for Pastor Michael Salemink at Concordia Theological Seminary
2025-09-08 09:00 - 10:00
From Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana:
“We are pleased to announce that Reverend Michael Salemink has begun his service as Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and will be installed during the Opening Service at Concordia Theological Seminary on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET/9:00 a.m. CT in Kramer Chapel.”
The service will be streamed at the link below on September 8:
https://www.ctsfw.edu/daily-chapel/
An audio stream will also be available from Issues, Etc.:
https://issuesetc.org/kramerchapel/

Fearless Faith | 2025 Christian Life Resources Conference
2025-09-13
SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Jackson, WI
Fearless Faith | 2025 Christian Life Resources Conference

Lutherans For Life National Conference | September 24-26, 2025 | Colorado Springs, Colorado
2025-09-24 - 2025-09-26
Join Us in 2025!
Lutherans For Life National Conference
September 24-26, 2025
Great Wolf Lodge | Colorado Springs, Colorado
Find more information—when available—on our Conferences page.

Virginia Flo to Present "Life Shines at Church" at the Go First! Ministry Conference | Bloomington, Minnesota
2025-09-26 - 2025-09-27
Virginia Flo will present “Life Shines at Church.” Michele Hartshorn will be at the LFL exhibit.
Go First! Ministry Conference
September 26-27, 2025
Redemption Lutheran Church
927 East Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55420

North Dakota March for Life
2025-10-10 11:00 - 15:00
North Dakota’s March for Life, organized by the Roman Catholic Bismarck Diocese, will be held Friday, Oct. 10, 2026.
Lutherans participating in the March will meet at Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck at 11:00 a.m. for Matins worship.
We will then march from Zion and join the Catholic marchers, arriving from the Cathedral mass, on the south steps of the North Dakota State Capitol.
Questions? Contact L. Jay Reinke at ljreinke325@gmail.com or 701.570.3535.

Moving from Death to Life Convocation | Rochester, Minnesota
2025-10-17 19:00 - 2025-10-18 15:00
Moving from Death to Life Convocation | Rochester, Minnesota
October 17–18, 2025
The Kahler Grand Hotel • Rochester, Minnesota
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINNESOTA SOUTH DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD
Respond to the call to promote a culture of life and join us for a highly informative and inspirational convocation which features fervent teaching and proclamation from several different speakers. Representatives from pro-life Christian ministries will be present to provide resources for God’s people to become better equipped in speaking up for life and teaching about the sanctity of human life. Prayer services will also be led by ordained ministers of the LCMS.
JOIN US FOR

Speeches from public leaders working to defend unborn life
Pro-life resources for human care, advocacy, and education
Discussions with event speakers
Prayer services with music from Weber/St. John

EVENT SPEAKERS

Ryan T. Anderson, PhD (President of Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C.)
Pastor Lucas Woodford (LCMS Minnesota South District President)
Kathi Aultman, MD (OB-GYN and Charlotte Lozier Institute Associate Scholar)
Robin Goldsmith, MD (Catholic Medical Association Midwest Regional Director and co-founder of St. Gianna Clinic, De Pere, Wis.)
Emily Geiger (Equal Rights Institute Director of Education & Outreach)
Renee Carlson (General Counsel at True North Legal)

Registration Cost: $50 per person. $25 student rate
(Registration covers all speakers and Saturday lunch)
Register online by October 10 at www.gracedc.church/convo.
For more information, contact the life ministry project coordinator:
Pastor Elliott Malm
Grace Lutheran Church
404 Central Ave N
Dodge Center, MN 55927
507-633-2253
Sponsored by LCMS Life Ministry.
Download: Moving From Death to Life Convocation Bulletin Insert (PDF)
Download: Moving From Death to Life Convocation Poster (PDF)
“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers … But, if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:14, 17–18).

Mindfulness in Christ Class | Word of Hope
2026-01-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-07 14:00 - 16:00
Join Word of Hope for an online nine-week class this winter! In this Christ-centered course adapted from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), you will learn skills that will help you develop a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions.
A Tuesday evening class and a Wednesday afternoon class will be available, beginning in early January. There are only eight places available in each, so sign up soon by either emailing info@word-of-hope.org or calling the hotline at 888-217-8679.

Life Week 2026
2026-01-18 - 2026-01-24
Check back for more information on Life Week 2026!

Minnesota March for Life 2026
2026-01-22
The annual Minnesota March for Life raises awareness surrounding pro-life issues, especially the value of mothers and unborn children. Along with the March around the Capitol grounds, the event features speakers and the opportunity to advocate for legislative changes that protect the rights of the unborn. This year’s March will be held on Thursday, January 22, at noon at the State Capitol. Everyone is encouraged to participate! Please dress appropriately.
