Preface: This is a letter that I sent as the lead pastor to the local church that I am blessed to serve. Nothing has been changed, this is what our congregation received via email the day after Dobbs v Jackson.

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To My Peace Church Family,

During the days of ancient Rome, unwanted babies were thrown over the walls of the city or onto the dumps of human waste and garbage. This was seen as the right of the Romans. But it was the early Christians, because of their radical new perspective that every human life has equal value, who went to retrieve, save, and raise those unwanted children as their own.

In our day, babies are not thrown over the walls of the city, but rather they are dismembered within the womb and then discarded as a demonstration of the right of bodily autonomy and in the name of a progressive society. The rhetoric of the pro-choice movement is often garnished with empathetic language in an effort to mask the brutal reality of what takes place during an abortion procedure. Since Roe v Wade, we have seen 60 million little boys and girls aborted.

As we look back to the example laid before us, those early Christians welcomed in those who the world wanted to reject. Church, it’s time to do this again. Yes, for 2,000 years we have done this, but now, with Roe being overturned, we will prayerfully see the need increase like never before. It’s our time to respond. Let Christians in another 2,000 years be just as inspired by our actions now, as we have been by those first Christians.

With Friday’s ruling, our society is showing mixed reactions to this historic Supreme Court decision, and many are furiously pointing to Christians, Protestant and Catholic, as the root cause of this. The angry eyes of the world are on the Church, so let’s show them the might of our compassion, just as the early Christians did.

Shine, Rather Than Celebrate

Peace Church has always been an unashamedly pro-life church, not because of politics or culture, but because we are taught the value of life at all ages and stages. While there have been times that Christians have not acted in love with their pro-life stance (i.e., crass memes, or demeaning language), and for this we repent and apologize, ultimately our heart is to see families thrive, to see women supported in the highest regard as we plead with them to choose life.

Peace Church, as I am overjoyed that Roe has been overturned, I must also say to you that this is not a time to celebrate, but rather, our efforts should show that this is a time to shine. The world should see the Church not celebrating a cultural win but stepping up to answer a great need. I believe this approach brings God greater glory and has a better chance of changing hearts, which is the true end to which we labor. 

The aim we have been fighting for, and the focus of our prayers is not just to see the laws of abortion be undone, but for the act of abortion itself to cease because the heart of our culture recognizes the value of human life and is willing to strive to see it preserved when at all possible. The work is not done, not at all… it’s only just begun, and because of that fact, it’s time to shine brighter than ever before. This will be shown through our generosity, compassion, and selflessness.

Give, Rather Than Gloat

Church, I want to be able to declare to any woman in our community facing an unwanted pregnancy, that Peace Church will rise to find a good and honest family to raise her child.

The news of the Supreme Court ruling is being met with the full spectrum of emotions – from the highest levels of joy to the deepest levels of rage. With our goal of saving lives and changing hearts, this will not fully happen by our boasting. This is a time not to gloat, but rather a time to give. 

• Give thanks to God. Lives will be saved because of this ruling and for this, we give thanks to God. I would offer Psalm 139 as a passage to pray over as you give thanks to what God is doing in this world, and for the ways He sees you!

• Give to the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC). Peace Church, as your Lead Pastor, I am asking for you to donate today to the PRC. Prayerfully, the work and the need of the PRC will only increase, so let’s supply the PRC with every means to meet those needs. Whether $5, $50, $500, or $5,000, please, everyone please donate right now. Let’s show the world we will put our money where our mouth is. Donate to the PRC at www.prcforlife.org/donate/

There is real fear and anger among many, many people now because their constitutional protection to terminate the life they are pregnant with has been removed – and so we must declare to the world and to those seeking abortion but who are now legally unable, “Do not fret or fear because, yes, the Church is here for you! We will walk alongside you, help you with your child and even find another set of parents to raise your child if you wish.”

Church, the laws are turning, and I am thankful, but changing hearts is what matters most. How we act in response to Dobbs v. Jackson will either hinder or help with this. Changing laws is a start but changing hearts is when this battle will end.

My church family, let what has happened this week be a clear testament to you that God answers prayers. And because He has shown this, we can be even more zealous in our labor to love our neighbor, even more generous in our giving to the cause of life, even more committed to our prayers for the world, and even more faithful to our faithful God.

Church, let’s continue to adopt, to open our homes and our wallets, to care for the single mothers, for the broken families, for the orphans and unwanted. As someone who has adopted, all I can say is that it was one of the hardest, but one of the best things my wife and I have ever done. So Church, adopt or if you can’t, then financially help someone adopt! In the coming weeks and months, we will discuss further how we can be a church that shines in light of this historic ruling.

Peace Church, as my heart is full of rejoicing, my soul is heavy with the response needed by the Church in this moment. As we look to a world post Roe, again, we are given a chance to shine even brighter in this dark world. Church, Jesus told us that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), so let’s shine!

For the Glory of God, the Joy of the Church, and the Good of our Neighbor,

Ryan Kimmel
Lead Pastor, Peace Church
June 25, 2022