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Pastor reflects on March for Life experience

My wife and I have been very strong prolife supporters all of our lives, but when we attended the 47th Annual March for Life rally Friday, Jan. 24, in Washington D.C. we were moved in such a way that we were not even expecting.

It was the 47th Annual March For Life Rally since the legal decision of Roe vs. Wade Jan. 22, 1973. We went with the bus group from Heartbeat Community Services in Perry County, though we live in Juniata County. The theme for this year’s Rally was — “Life Empowers: Prolife is Pro-woman.”

We were so impressed as we noticed that the massive crowd of tens of thousands of people gathered for this Rally consisted of approximately seventy percent of the crowd was young people! There was a huge representation there of teenagers, college age and young marrieds. The Youth held up signs saying- I Am The Pro-life Generation. They came from schools and churches all over America by the bus loads. They were very enthusiastic for the cause of life from the womb from conception but at the same time very respectful. We realized then that this truly is a youth movement in our Country that is going to help shape and move forward the Pro-life cause and mission in all ways! There truly is a positive change coming in this Country concerning the Pro-life movement.

We were also very blessed, moved and challenged by all of the speakers during the Rally. What stood out to me was that they were all very passionate about Pro-life but also they did it in such a way that they were speaking in love. As the Bible says in Ephesians 4:15- Speaking the truth in love.” They were very polite, respectful and their messages touched many hearts and lives. Some of the speakers were: President Donald Trump, the first U.S. President to speak at the MARCH FOR LIFE Rally. It was great to have the President there and to know that he now does stand with the Pro-life movement all the way. He said in his speech – “All of us here today understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. Together, we must protect, cherish and defend the dignity and sanctity of every human life.” Also, Evangelist, Rev. Franklin Graham was in attendance also but did not speak. Other speakers were Representative Steve Scalise from Louisiana, Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family, David Platt, Pastor at McLean Bible Church, Virginia, State Senator, Katrina Jackson, Louisiana. But two speakers who touched the hearts of all were Melissa Ohden and Claire Culwell who were both abortion survivors. They gave their testimonies and told their stories of how their mothers tried to have them aborted but God miraculously intervened and they survived. They were adopted by some loving families who stood on the platform with them. They also told how that later in life they got to meet their biological mothers and connect with them and even forgive them. Amazing is the love, power and grace God gives people to be able to do that. Ephesians 4:32- And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Romans 5:8- But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

At the MARCH FOR LIFE RALLY we heard the challenges and rightfully so, for believers to not only stand up for life in the womb from conception and on but to also reach out in love to assist in any way unwed mothers and young mothers in special need. To show the love of Christ to them in a practical way. Also, to be involved in local Pro-life pregnancy centers and organizations such as in our local area; Crossroads Pregnancy Centers and also Heartbeat in Perry County. At the Rally we were reminded of the love, mercy and grace of God to forgive those to turn to Him for that forgiveness for salvation and including those to turn to the Lord for forgiveness for the abortion. Ephesians 1:7 – In CHRIST we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Forgiveness by the wonderful grace of JESUS! Forgiveness of sin offered by God!

Many of whom I have met and ministered to over the years as a Pastor and those from my family and extended family who have had miscarriages and those losses of babies, hurts so deeply and so long. Only God can comfort their hearts as He says in Second Corinthians 1:3-4. We can only imagine their thoughts and pain when they hear of others in our society who decide to end the pregnancy and eliminate that human life simply because it would be inconvenient at that time in their life or not a good time to have a baby then because of their education or career goals at that time. May the Lord do a work in hearts all over this land and may people choose life as the Bible tells us to. We encourage many of you to try to go to the MARCH FOR LIFE, Wash. D.C. next year- January 29, 2021.

Jeremiah 1:5- ( Part A )- states from God; – Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you. Psalm 139:13-14- For You, God formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will Praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works and my soul knows very well. Romans 12:21- Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

First we OVERLOOK evil. Then we PERMIT evil. Then we LEGALIZE evil. Then we PROMOTE evil. Then we CELEBRATE evil. Then we PERSECUTE those who still call it evil.

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Ron Shupe is the Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church, Rt. 35, Mifflintown and Sunday Morning Worship Services are held at 8:00am and 10:30am. Wednesdays 6:30pm- AWANA Children’s ministry and Adult Bible Studies and Thursdays 6:30pm – Teen Youth Group led by Assistant Pastor Caleb Hanna.

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