Hello everyone! My name is Anna Young, and I am honored to share with you a small snippet of the pro-life ministry I led throughout high school in Nashville, TN.

Every year, I organized a baby item drive with local churches in the area and used the collection to bless the nearest Pregnancy Resource Center. Though multiple churches have participated throughout the years, last my LCMS church took the lead and flew solo. I designed flyers, made announcements, posted on social media, and strategically placed boxes in the fellowship hall of our church. Spoiler alert: My LCMS church did not disappoint.

I think many young leaders for life forget that the older generations are willing to serve, give, and support the work you are doing. I experienced this firsthand. Many of the members of my congregation went above and beyond to fill and even overflow the boxes provided. In the end, our small LCMS church was able to fill my car to the brim with thousands of dollars’ worth of baby items. I also collected over $150 from Venmo donations because brothers and sisters in Christ saw my social media post and wanted to contribute! The items and gift cards we donated were used at our local Pregnancy Resource Center to make choosing life less of a financial burden on families. This is such an easy and tangible way to get your church involved in life ministry. I encourage each of you to explore ways your church can support life!

God desires each of us to serve and give joyfully from the gifts we’ve been given, and He wants to work through us to bless others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 states, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” May God’s grace abound in you and in your efforts to support LIFE!