During the month of January, the Arkansas Baptist News will feature an emphasis on the Sanctity of Human Life. We will do this by highlighting the work of our many pregnancy care centers (PCC) around the state. You will meet many of the selfless workers who have dedicated their lives to protecting the unborn and caring for those who have had an abortion or are considering abortion as an option. You will hear personal stories of how God is working to change hearts and lives as babies are saved from abortion, and men and women commit to follow Christ. You will also discover resources and learn how you can make a difference through your involvement in this important ministry.
Clint Ritchie serves on the Missions Team of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC). In his role as Community Ministries Mobilization Specialist, Ritchie works with many of the pregnancy care centers across the state. He notes that in 2020, the PCC sites supported by the ABSC reported 8642 clients served with 1753 Gospel presentations and 238 babies saved from abortion! (Visit absc.org/pregnancy to see a list of these sites).
We also want to make you aware of an opportunity to join with Arkansas Baptists and other believers across the state and nation as we recognize Sunday January 17 as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. This important day was first officially recognized in January of 1984 as President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation that designated January 22nd as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The date coincided with the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in all 50 states. Since then, churches across the country have chosen to recognize the third Sunday in January as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The goal is to celebrate God’s gift of life, grieve for and commemorate the millions of lives lost to abortion, and commit to pray for and protect human life at every stage.
Ritchie wants to encourage all Arkansas Baptists to participate this Sunday and to continue to support and defend life in the days ahead. He points to Proverbs 31:8 which instructs us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” Ritchie says, “Arkansas Baptists have a long history of fulfilling this verse and standing up for life. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday affords churches the opportunity to build upon this legacy by speaking the truth about life and continuing to raise up generations of Christians who will speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Resources for the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday are available here.