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Baptists for Life Celebrates 25 Years

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Baptists for Life, a pro-life organization sponsored by many Regular Baptist churches, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala dinner on March 12.

The event, held at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, was attended by 700 people. Michael Loftis, president of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, was the featured speaker, with special music by recording artist Steve Green. Mark Blocher, former director of Baptists for Life, was master of ceremonies. The event recognized current and former staff, board members, and volunteers.

Several GARBC pastors serve on the organization’s pastoral advisory committee, including Rev. Duane Duhon, Berean Baptist Church, Grand Rapids; Rev. Ken Floyd, state representative for the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches; Rev. Jeff Halsted, Calvary Baptist Church, Grand Rapids; Rev. Richard Liverance, Kentwood Baptist Church, Kentwood, Mich.; and Rev. Burland Margesson (retired), First Baptist Church, Lowell, Mich.

Baptists for Life, Inc., was established in 1984 in Grand Rapids as a response to legalized abortion and the needs of women facing its temptation. The organization founded a pregnancy care center in Grand Rapids, now known as the Alpha Women’s Center. This model has been duplicated by many similar ministries in other cities.

In the 1990s, Baptists for Life broadened its scope to include the elderly, handicapped, and terminally ill who are threatened by euthanasia. The respite care ministry known as Loving Individuals in Final Transition (LIFT) is now used by many churches to minister to the needs of terminally and chronically ill patients and their loved ones. Baptists for Life also works with missionaries to help them apply Biblical pro-life principles to pressing needs on their fields of service, using both the pregnancy care model and LIFT. These programs have now been successfully implemented in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.

PHOTO: Tom Lothamer, executive director of Baptists for Life, introduces his newest granddaughter, Kaci Lothamer, at the gala banquet celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary. (Photo by Maria Straatsma.)

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