On Friday, Jan. 24, the annual March for Life took place in Washington D.C., where thousands of pro-lifers gathered to stand for the lives of the pre-born.
March for Life participants gathered for a time of worship, encouragement, and demonstration that started at the National Mall and ended at the steps of the United States Supreme Court.
The first March for Life took place on January 22, 1974, in an attempt to persuade the United States Supreme Court to reverse the Roe v. Wade decision, which established the right to abortion access.
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Nearly 50 years later, on June 24, 2023, the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision by a 6-3 vote. The decision now allows individual states to determine abortion laws. As of this writing, abortion is illegal in 12 states.
Some of this year’s March for Life speakers include Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Bethany Hamilton, Lila Rose, U.S. Senator John Thune, Christian recording artist Unspoken, and more.
During an interview, Liberty University‘s Ryan Helfenbein told ChurchLeaders that Liberty would bus in 1,000 students to participate in the march on Friday.
Helfenbein, who is the vice president of communications and public engagement for Liberty and the executive director of Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center, shared that this will be the fifth year he has led Liberty University students at the march.
“We’re just raising awareness,” Helfenbein said. “We really just do believe that this is the touch point for the next generation—that they’ve got to be involved, and if you can get students to march for life, you’re much more likely to get them to give for the cause of life, and to vote for the cause of life.”
Helfenbein compared the experience to going on a mission trip for the first time and explained how it drives home the importance of the issue.
“It’s not a political talking point,” Helfenbein said. “This is a matter of biblical faithfulness [and the] stewardship of the gospel that we’ve been entrusted with. This is what James calls pure and undefiled religion—caring for the orphan and the widow in their distress. That’s what caring for the life of the unborn is really about.”