English
Korean
Spanish
WASHINGTON, D.C.—“The sanctity of life suite has a broad array of applications,” reminded Southern Baptists of Texas Convention President Nathan Lino in a Jan. 21 breakout session of the Evangelicals for Life Conference co-sponsored by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Focus on the Family. “We should absolutely fight for the unborn and care for women’s pregnancy resource centers as a key part, but there are applications like care for the elderly, the disabled, special needs, racism and other issues—these are all sanctity of life issues.”
Lino, the pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church, moderated a panel that showcased examples of pro-life ministries, reminding the audience to seek God’s direction as to what role their churches might play.
“Each of our churches should listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as to which application of the sanctity of life we should engage in our city, trusting the other churches and other believers are listening as to where they should engage,” Lino said.
“Being a gospel-centered church means you will end up in sanctity of life ministry. The Word of God is central to those who are suffering and struggling. It sets them free.”—Nathan Lino, SBTC President
Amy Ford, founder of the Texas-based Embrace Grace ministry, described an opportunity for churches to offer a 12-week study for girls referred to them by local pregnancy resource centers. “We can hold our signs out in the march and say we’re pro-life and vote pro-life and that’s great, but love is what’s going to change the girl’s heart,” Ford said. “That’s where transformation takes place.”
Without the power of the gospel, many women who come to a pregnancy center will be back within 18 months, facing another crisis, explained Mary Chapman, director of church outreach and engagement for CareNet, a nationwide network of pregnancy centers. “And in 18 years her daughter or son will be in your pregnancy center because they have not had the high view of marriage, family and the gospel integrated into their lives,” she added.
“The Word of God is the only way we can transform lives and truly make a lasting difference,” Chapman insisted, urging churches to partner with local pregnancy resource ministries to help their clients “so they can live in a thriving, healthy environment and learn what abundant life is.”
Joel Dillon, the president of Jill’s House, described the potential for ministry to the 2.6 million families raising children with severe intellectual disabilities. “This is truly an unreached people group,” he said, describing the vast majority of them as outside the church, experiencing a 60 percent higher level of stress than the general population and an 80 percent higher likelihood of divorce.
The Virginia-based ministry provides overnight respite care to kids and their siblings for a weekend, allowing physical rest for parents. Partnerships extend to several other states, including a facility at Twin Oaks Ranch in the Hill Country of Texas.
“Preach the gospel boldly to these families and love them to Jesus,” Dillon encouraged. “Walk alongside them in their joy and their pain in every way possible.”
Quoting John 10:10, Lino reminded, “‘Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy life, but I have come to give life and give it abundantly.’” He asked Christians to contend not only for spiritual life, but also for physical life in whatever form it takes.
“Being a gospel-centered church means you will end up in sanctity of life ministry,” Lino said. “The Word of God is central to those who are suffering and struggling. It sets them free.”
