Why Your Church’s Presence at the Maryland March for Life Matters
By Sharon Mager
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Each year, hundreds of people from across Maryland gather in Annapolis for the Maryland March for Life (MFL)—a peaceful, public witness to the sanctity of human life. Believers from many faith traditions take part, including Southern Baptists, though Catholics—who have led this effort for decades—make up the majority.
This year’s march will be held March 16 and, as always, begins at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Annapolis.
For Bill Voelp, Baptist participation alongside other faith leaders matters—and he believes it can be stronger. “We know there are Baptists who support life,” Voelp said. “But we don’t always see them together.”
La Plata Baptist Church member Rachel Nesmith, who serves as regional coordinator for Students for Life of America’s Capital Area chapter, was among last year’s speakers at the Maryland March for Life. (Photo provided by Rachel Nesmith)
Voelp serves as chairman of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s (BCM/D) Christian Life & Public Affairs Committee (CLPA) and is executive pastor at Redemption City Church in Baltimore.
Each year, the march begins a few blocks from the Capitol at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, where participants gather for a brief worship rally. From there, marchers—many carrying signs—walk through the streets of Annapolis, led by a motorcycle escort. Along the way, participants chat, sing, pray, and occasionally chant.
Through Voelp’s involvement with March for Life organizers, BCM/D churches have been invited to play a more visible role—both at the pre-march rally and the closing gathering at the Capitol—through prayer, speakers, and music. Associate Executive Director Mark Dooley and La Plata Baptist Church member Rachel Nesmith, who serves as regional coordinator for Students for Life of America’s Capital Area chapter, were among last year’s speakers. BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle led prayer at the Capitol at the conclusion of the event.
For many years, Catholics gathered for Mass at St. Mary’s before the march, while Protestants met informally at another location on the church campus. Three years ago, Voelp began organizing the Protestant worship gathering, creating a more intentional space for Protestant believers to worship, pray, and unite before the march.
While Voelp highly encourages those planning to march to attend the rally, he says the priority is to be present at the Maryland March for Life.
So why do some churches that identify as pro-life choose not to participate? Voelp says some may view it as “political.” Others question the value, while some are simply so busy they haven’t given it much thought.
Bill Voelp organizes the protestant worship service for the March for Life. (Photo by Shelley Mahoney)
Voelp understands those concerns but believes this moment calls for a visible Christian presence.
He shares three reasons to make the 2026 Maryland March for Life a priority:
- Stand Up for Your Convictions: The Maryland March for Life provides a way for believers to publicly demonstrate the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of life, while also standing for the call to love and serve women facing unplanned pregnancies, support mothers who choose to keep their babies, and support pregnancy centers seeking to meet these needs—all while sharing the love of Jesus and the gospel message.
- Abortion Permitted Throughout: Maryland law permits abortion until viability or anytime the termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman, or the fetus is affected by a genetic defect or serious deformity or abnormality. Voelp cautions against Christian silence or disengagement (Maryland Code, Health–General § 20-209).
- Don’t Assume Someone Else Will Represent the Church: Presence matters. Showing up encourages others and reflects the body of Christ standing together.
Voelp said, “Bring your church. Bring your students. Bring your life group. Come to the rally. March with others. Let your presence be part of a unified witness that says, ‘We care—and we’re here.’”
He also encourages churches to bring signs—even homemade ones—as a simple but visible way to express their commitment to life.
For detailed information, including the schedule, speakers, and registration, visit the Maryland March for Life website at https://www.mdmarchforlife.com. Note that the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church parking lot opens at 3:30 p.m.
The Christian Life & Public Affairs Committee, a standing committee of the BCM/D General Mission Board, strives to inform and involve the BCM/D churches in areas of our culture where Christian principles must be applied. For more information, visit the website. While on their website, subscribe to their CLPA newsletter!