"Pro-Life Christians are witnessing an awakening among the American public on Sanctity of Life issues. These events are an encouraging start in advocacy and ministry to defend the most vulnerable at both ends of life." -- Chelsen Vicari, Director of IRD's Evangelical Action Program

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion & Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tens of thousands will gather in Washington D.C. this Friday to commemorate more than 55 million unborn lives lost to abortion in the United States since 1973 as well as celebrate the sanctity of life. Before the official March for Life gets underway, several Church affiliates are hosting pro-life events in conjunction with the March.

Anglicans for Life
Anglican bishops are igniting pro-life work in local churches with this year's "Mobilizing the Church for Life 2016" an all-day summit on Thursday, January 21, at the Falls Church Anglican. On Friday Morning, participants will gather at Columbia Baptist Church for a time of prayer and worship led by Archbishop Foley Beach before marching together in the March for Life.

Learn more at: www.AnglicansforLife.org

Evangelicals for Life
The Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is partnering with Focus on the Family to host an inaugural Evangelicals for Life event.

Evangelicals for Life will gather Thursday and Friday at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. In addition to promoting the dignity and personhood of unborn babies, the conference will educate Evangelicals on issues including adoption and foster care, the effects of fatherlessness, holistic support for expecting mothers, and church-based ministry opportunities.

For more information: www.evangelicals.life

United Methodist Pro-Life Service
Faithful Methodists will gather in Washington for prayer hosted by the unofficial Pro-Life caucus in the United Methodist Church. Join Lifewatch for worship and prayer at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22, at the Methodist Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Washington, DC.

For more information: www.lifewatch.org or contact Cindy Evans: cindy@lifewatch.org

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Worship Service
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Life Ministry is hosting a Divine Worship service at 9 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia before participating together as LCMS Lutherans in the March for Life.

For more information: www.lcms.org or email: tracy.quaethem@lcms.org

The National Prayer Vigil for Life
Thousands will gather at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. for an all-night prayer vigil hosted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Pro-Life Secretariat alongside Catholic University of America, and the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception.

To learn more, please visit www.usccb.org

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