Maryland/Delaware Leaders Have Platform at Maryland March for Life
by Sharon Mager
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Hundreds of pro-life advocates arrived in Annapolis on March 27 for the annual Maryland March for Life. Hope and perseverance were common themes throughout the evening, in spite of Maryland’s staunch pro-abortion stance. Participants gathered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Prior to the actual march, St. Mary’s had a youth rally, followed by a Catholic Mass. A non-denominational service was held in the church’s gym.
Rachel Nesmith, regional coordinator for the Capital Area Students for Life of America, said, ”I feel like there is a lot of optimism, even in the frustrating political climate. There is a lot of hope among the people.” (Photo submitted)
Maryland/Delaware Baptists had a platform at this year’s march. La Plata Baptist Church Member Rachel Nesmith, the regional coordinator for the Capital Area Students for Life of America, was a keynote speaker at the youth rally. Nesmith encouraged pro-lifers to be bold and not afraid of conflict.
The North Glen Praise Band, Glen Burnie, with members of Iglesia Communidad de Grace, Glen Burnie, and Grace Gospel Church, Curtis Bay, led the praise and worship session of the non-denominational service, organized by Redemption City Church, Baltimore, Executive Pastor Bill Voelp, who also serves as the chairman of the BCM/D Christian Life & Public Affairs Committee.
Associate Executive Director Mark Dooley shared the message at the non-denominational service. Dooley said that according to World Health, there are 73 million abortions performed each year. “That’s about 5,000 precious souls since this worship service began. I don’t know about you, but it boggles my mind.”
Dooley emphasized, “We are known by God. That means more than just knowing someone at a gathering; that’s intimate comprehension beyond surface level.” We matter to God, Dooley said, “We are not only known by God but loved by God” — As are unborn babies.
With a small motorcycle motorcade leading the way, marchers, some with babies, some elderly, took to the streets with banners flying, groups waving signs, some singing and chanting. Most onlookers waved in support; others looked staunchly forward, not making eye contact. A few gave a thumbs down, but that didn’t dampen the mood of the marchers.
Mark Dooley shares at a non-denominational service prior to the Maryland March for Life. (Photo by Madison Wells-James)
Once in front of the Maryland State House, speakers shared updates on legal battles and encouraged pro-lifers to stay the course, especially in light of the vote last November to enshrine abortion in the state constitution.
Jeffrey Trimbath, president of Maryland Family Institute, encouraged the crowd, highlighting the failure of the physician-assisted suicide legislation. Trimbath said, “Keep up the fight! Evil will not stop. But by you standing here, there is hope in Maryland.”
Kelley Lester, Government Engagement for “And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries,” shared her testimony of being molested as a child and raped as a teenager. She turned to a woman she respected, a Sunday School teacher, who strongly encouraged her to have an abortion. That was followed by another and a path of darkness and pain. She even found herself working at the clinic, where she had her first abortion before God opened her eyes. She said that through Jesus, she began to value her life. Addressing the group in front of her, she urged women to influence others to keep and treasure their unborn children.
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle, addressing the crowd at the end of the evening, said, “I stand here representing over 400 Southern Baptist churches in this collective. Tens of thousands of Baptists stand with you for life. Before I pray, I want to tell you why this is personal for me.
“I have a 23-year-old boy named Jimmy. He can’t talk. He will never get married. He will never drive a car. He will never live independently. He can’t look at his mother and father and use his voice to say ‘I love you.’ But Jimmy has taught me more about what it means to be a father, to be a husband, and to be a man than any person I have ever known.”
The crowd cheered as he continued, “All life is priceless — all of it! And it is God’s choice how someone is designed, and I thank God my son is designed just the way he is.
Tom Stolle, BCM/D Executive Director, prayed at the closing of the Maryland March for Life. (Photo by Madison Wells-James)
Stolle closed the evening with the following prayer: Father God, Your Word tells us that You created all people. Your Word says in Psalm 139:13-15 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. Father God, your Word is clear. You gave us life. Not a single person has ever been born that you did not design. You have purposes for us, and it is not for us to decide to terminate a life. You, Father God, are the giver of life.
Father God, we believe the gift of life should be cherished, respected, and honored, not destroyed. We believe unborn babies have a right to life..”
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Communications Specialist/Baptist News Editor.