By: Sydney Alleyne
Recently, Georgette Forney, President of Anglicans For Life (AFL), had the privilege of speaking with Bishop Ben Fischer from Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Nampa, Idaho. This church is a shining example of a church that shares AFL’s mission to uphold the Sanctity of Life. Bishop Ben’s dedication to nurturing the next generation was front and center when AFL talked with him, “Values are formed by what we do, not what we say. If we don’t invite younger people, then the formation won’t happen.” Without active engagement from younger members, the Sanctity of Life will not be seen as important for future generations.
Christ the Redeemer started as a mission gathering for university students and has evolved into a thriving church community – thanks to the influx of families who began attending. Their partnership with LifeLine Pregnancy Center during the 2023 World’s Largest Baby Shower showcases their commitment to living out pro-life values. Central to their success is the spirit of individuals like Joyce, a lay member at Christ the Redeemer and a champion for life. Her leadership motivates the youth in the church, inspiring them to actively participate in pro-life initiatives. It’s leaders like her who exemplify AFL’s challenge to do one thing everyday for life, and ultimately ignite a passion for pro-life advocacy among the younger generation. When asked how she was able to get students involved in AFL’s World’s Largest Baby Shower in 2023 she stated:
“Though I became interested in Pro Life advocacy as a young person, involving the youth in our church with AFL didn’t naturally come to me …That’s why good leadership is such a blessing. In our church, Bishop Ben and our leadership have done such an incredible job of modeling what it looks like to honor children by including them in conversations like these. Every Sunday, the children are invited up to the front of the church for a mini children’s sermon before they head off to their classes. On Sanctity of Life Sundays, our pastors take the opportunity to talk with our children about how our church is supporting mamas and babies in our community that might need the love of Christ during a hard season of fear and doubt. They are clear with our children and youth in explaining that God cares deeply about the small and the vulnerable in our midst. It’s leadership like this that frees us up as lay people to continue pressing into opportunities to include our children in the AFL ministry. It’s all part of an ongoing conversation that has the organic ability to take the form of service in ministry when opportunities arise.”
What sets Christ the Redeemer apart is their approach to youth engagement. By integrating discussions on the Sanctity of Life into their services and fostering an environment of inclusivity, they empower young individuals to become active participants in initiatives like the World’s Largest Baby Shower. As Georgette stated in the interview, the work of Christ the Redeemer is part of their church DNA — meaning pro-life education for youth will live within the church for years to come.
In speaking with youth participants from the 2023 World’s Largest Baby Shower, their reflections offer profound insights. Lorelei, at 13-years-old, acknowledges the impact of small gestures in supporting struggling mothers. For Ava, witnessing the generosity of her church community was not only heartwarming but a testament to the enduring spirit of compassion. And Jedi shared the reward of serving in his community—a sentiment shared by many who have experienced the joy of giving back.
As a result of Christ the Redeemer’s youth participating in the World’s Largest Baby Shower last year, many of the children like Jaebets, a 15-year-old, were able to recognize the transformative power of support in steering individuals away from the choice of abortion. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Jubal’s acknowledged that life is unpredictable and it’s a reminder to demonstrate compassion and understanding.
The World’s Largest Baby Shower is not just an event; it’s a movement—a call to action for individuals and churches to unite in support of life. By participating in this initiative, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies in need. Join us as we celebrate life and extend a helping hand to those in need—one baby shower at a time.
“Values are formed by what we do, not what we say. If we don’t invite younger people, then the formation won’t happen.”
Sydney Alleyne
Social Media Specialist, AFL
