‘His is the victory’: Lutherans confess Christ at March for Life

Lutherans carry LCMS banners as the group passes the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)

By Stacey Eising

On Jan. 24, LCMS Lutherans joined tens of thousands of other pro-life marchers at the 52nd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

The tone of this year’s march, the third since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, was somber, coming after repeated political losses for the pro-life cause in recent years. But in the wake of the first post-Roe pro-life victories at the polls in November, it was also hopeful. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance appeared in person at the pre-march rally, his first public appearance since taking the vice-presidential oath of office a few days earlier.

“As you all know, the event theme this year is ‘Life: Why We March,’ and there are obvious answers to the implicit question it poses. We march to protect the unborn. We march to proclaim and live out the sacred truth that every single child is a miracle and a gift from God,” said Vance in his address.

“It is a joy and a blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to march for life,” said Vance.

‘Lifting high the cross’

In spite of the changes in administration and the political losses and victories of recent years, the LCMS participants gathered in much the same spirit as they do every year: prayerfully, repentantly, to confess the truth of God’s Word about the sanctity of life and about the life He has for all of us in Christ.

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison followed Vance on the rally stage, to give a short address and closing prayer.

“Why do we march? Because the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all our sins. Why do we march? Because many consciences in America have died, and we believe in resurrections, and we say, ‘Lazarus, come out,’” said Harrison from the stage.

This year, for the first time, the LCMS group was joined by a representative from the leadership of all 35 LCMS districts, including 22 district presidents.

“I’ve been to the national March for Life more than 20 times,” said the Rev. Christopher Esget, LCMS fifth vice-president and pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va. “My first few years I saw it as a political statement. … I now see it as a confession that every life is valuable and a gift from God. … We’re testifying in the public square that there is something greater than politics — we’re setting the matter before God and peacefully ‘lifting high the cross,’ so to speak, to call the world to Jesus, in whom is life.”

Prior to the march, the LCMS group gathered, as usual, for the Divine Service at Immanuel. The Rev. Michael Mohr, LCMS Central Illinois District president, preached.

“Your place in God’s right-hand kingdom, robed in the perfect righteousness of Christ … frees your voice and your hands to labor — not for your own sake, but for the neighbor, in that good confession of whose they are: blood-bought, purchased, won, beloved. And for those who receive this Good News by faith — restored, justified, eternally alive.

“We are called to fight the good fight of the faith. … This fight is the battle won by our Lord Jesus Christ over sin, death and the power of the devil. His you are. His is the battle, and His is the victory.”

‘Joyful and solemn’

After the service and a brunch, the LCMS group traveled by buses to the march. With hymn verses and prayers printed on the backs of their signs, the group spent the march in prayer and singing.

Kerri Elizabeth Robinson, a high school senior and Immanuel member who played violin during the service, has joined in the march for several years.

“It’s equal parts joyful and solemn,” said Robinson. “It’s a lot of silence and reflection to think about the loss of life and the evil and the hurt that’s been done. And it’s also a lot of joy, in that God will do His will ultimately. … He’s going to come back, He’s going to purify the world, and every knee will bow. And so, looking forward to that, we can sing songs of joy, and also songs of mourning to remember those we’ve lost and those we will see again.”

Robinson, a classically trained violinist who will study music in college next year, said that in the artistic circles in which she runs “not very many people agree” with her pro-life views. “It can feel lonely sometimes. So it’s always so encouraging to see … the body of believers and how big the pro-life movement really is.”

“There is strength in numbers and in unity and in people seeing us together as a church body, as sisters and brothers in Christ, upholding Christ’s Word,” said Kaye Wolff, a longtime leader in the LWML and a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Mich., where her husband serves as pastor. “It’s important that people see that — and hopefully next year they’ll join in.”

“Right now, we all need to pray,” continued Wolff. “We all need to go back to the Word, stay in the Word and share the Word.”

“Every child is a gift of God — an infinitely precious gift, one to be cherished and protected,” said Cody Moen of Ascension Lutheran Church in Huntsville, Ala. “If being here … in the cold is what I can do to help protect a child, well, I’ll do it.”

“Every life matters,” continued Moen. “Support for mothers and fathers matters. The church is a place where all life is important. It’s a place for hope. In the church, you’re not alone.”

In a short address after the Divine Service, Harrison discussed the many consciences that have been impacted by the over 60 million abortions in the U.S. since 1973. “That means 120 million people involved at least,” said Harrison. “And we [in the church] have something to give: The free conscience. Freedom from sin. Reconciliation with God. Joy, peace and hope.”

Harrison also highlighted the work being done in LCMS districts and by Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) to support parents and their children, born and unborn. Much of this work has been supported by the LCMS Million Dollar Life Match grant program, now in its fourth year and currently distributing a second million dollars in grants. Harrison said that these grants have supported the work of 7,000 people serving in pro-life ministries to serve around 500,000 mothers and babies.

Deaconess Alicia Neils, who serves at Rose of Sharon Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Minn., said that one of her congregation’s ministries is to offer child care for children 6 weeks through 5 years of age.

“If we care about babies that are six weeks out of the womb, why shouldn’t we care about the babies that are six weeks in the womb? Everyone is made in God’s image,” said Neils.

There are many ways to serve. The Rev. Nabil Nour, LCMS fourth vice-president, said that at his first parish he was a part of a “Bike for Life” group that biked over 110 miles a year for 21 years to raise funds to provide ultrasound machines for pregnancy resource centers. “Most of those women who saw the ultrasound did not abort their babies,” said Nour.

“In the two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Dobbs decision, legislation and policy-making at both state and federal levels have been changing the legality of abortion throughout the U.S.,” said Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, managing director for the LCMS Office of National Mission. “It is crucial that Lutherans stand up and speak up for the God-given value of every human life from conception to natural death. …

“In addition to advocating, Lutherans are teaching about God’s creation of life and actively sharing His mercy by caring for the physical and spiritual needs of women, babies and the entire family.”

Upcoming life marches

March 15, Phoenix, Ariz.

March 19, Hartford, Conn.

March 31, Sacramento, Calif.

April 2, Richmond, Va.

April 11, Denver, Colo.

May 1, Jefferson City, Mo.

May 10, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

View a complete list of upcoming life events at lcms-life.org/need.

To learn how you can support parents and children in your area, contact your LCMS district. To learn more about the Synod’s Million Dollar Life Match, visit lcms.org/life-grant.

Posted Feb. 24, 2025