More than 1,300 guests gathered at the Hilton Anatole Chantilly Ballroom on November 8 for a beautiful celebration of LIFE!
Thanks to the profound generosity of our incredible donors, the Council for Life Celebrating Life Luncheon raised over $1.3 million allowing us to fully fund our 27 outstanding 2023 Beneficiaries. What an absolute honor and joy to support the lifesaving work of our Beneficiaries. These heroic agencies protect the most vulnerable— unborn babies. They lovingly serve mothers, fathers and families in our community, giving them the hope and light of Christ.
Watch highlights from the Luncheon:
- Council for Life’s Mission Statement Video (click here)
- Council for Life’s 2023 Strategic Initiatives and Beneficiary Impact Video (click here)
- Eric Metaxas’ Keynote Presentation (click here)
- Honorary Chairs Cindy and Tony Weber’s Moving History with Council for Life (click here)
Featured Speaker, Eric Metaxas
“The Lord wants you to be in the battle…He has called you, He has invited you to the greatest adventure in the history of the world; to stand with Him, to walk with Him in the battle of good versus evil.”
Our outstanding speaker, Eric Metaxas, made a compelling argument that Christians, especially the Church, need to boldly fight the battle against evil, despite going against the status quo. “The Lord wants us to take the Church out of our buildings and into every single sphere imaginable in the culture.” He stated emphatically: “We are the Church.”
Eric is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer and many other books, including Is Atheism Dead?, Martin Luther, Amazing Grace and his latest book, Letter to the American Church. Metaxas speaks to thousands around the U.S. and internationally each year and is a renowned cultural commentator and radio show personality.
Eric discussed the haunting similarities between today’s American Church and the German Church of the 1930s during Hitler’s reign. Echoing the German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s prophetic call, he urged us as Christians to not be afraid to march against evil. “It is our job to stand against evil, to speak against evil, not to be silent in the face of evil.” In highlighting the parallels to the German Church prevalent in our culture today and the transcendent moral evil of abortion, Eric noted, “The Life issue is the most obvious.”
Eric argued that fighting evil does not politicize Christianity. As Bonhoeffer and other heroes of the faith insisted, the Church has an important role in the culture of America. It is our duty to fight the powers of darkness, especially on behalf of the weak and vulnerable. “Do you think Roe v. Wade would have been overturned if some in the Church didn’t understand that it is our duty before God to get involved with politics?”
Speaking directly about the Life issue and affirming the mission of Council for Life to educate the community, Eric said, “We the Church understand that [abortion] is wrong, but we have to help Americans understand that it is wrong. We have to talk about it. We have to educate them.”
Closing his presentation, Eric stressed we need to answer God’s call to defend the unborn. We must overcome fear and enter the battle, armed with the spiritual weapons of prayer, self-sacrifice, and love. “We are the Church. It is the job of the Church to stand against evil. The Lord not only brought you into the world for this, but He died on the cross so that you would be empowered to do this.”
Our hearts are filled with GRATITUDE as we recognize the numerous special individuals who made this joyful gathering possible.
Thank you, Board Chair Rebecca Lutz
As our beautiful Board Chair Rebecca Lutz said so well in her opening welcome: “We are celebrating each of you who are Advocates of Council for Life. We are celebrating the pastors, civic leaders and generous friends who are here. We thank each of you for using your gifts, talents and treasure to support Council for Life and our mission.”
Thank you, Luncheon Co-Chairs Sandy Ammons and Mary Louise Binning and Underwriting Chair Kristen Ainsworth
Celebrating Life Luncheon Co-Chairs Sandy Ammons and Mary Louise Binning worked tirelessly to plan a transforming program, dedicating their time and gifts to execute the countless details of the Luncheon with excellence. Underwriting Chair Kristen Ainsworth faithfully worked alongside Sandy and Mary Louise with a gracious heart, sharing her talents to raise funds for our Beneficiaries.
Thank you, Honorary Chairs Cindy and Tony Weber
We are forever grateful to our Honorary Chairs Cindy and Tony Weber for their deeply personal and generous philanthropic commitment to the sanctity of human life. Cindy reminded us that “the God of the Universe, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords…created each one of you, each one of these babies as a unique person…He calls you by name, and He loves you. The Beneficiaries of Council for Life teach these truths to young pregnant girls and help them to realize how much they are loved by Jesus Christ and how much their baby is loved.” We are grateful to the Webers for their decades of passionate and thoughtful leadership on Council for Life’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
Thank you, Pastor Robert Jeffress
Senior Pastor of First Baptist Dallas, Dr. Robert Jeffress, gave the opening prayer. For decades Dr. Jeffress has been a bold voice and kept the pro-life message in front of the national conscience. He lamented that because of indifference to the issue of protecting life “we have allowed 10s of millions of children to be murdered in the womb.” Dr. Jeffress thanked Council for Life for promoting the protection of life and for “making it possible for women to choose life and helping families to flourish.”
Thank you, Tom Gilchrist
The talented Tom Gilchrist closed the Luncheon with the Doxology to thank Our Father for His Faithfulness and for Life.
Thank you, Beneficiaries
We are forever thankful for our 2023 Luncheon Beneficiaries for protecting the unborn and compassionately serving the urgent, increased Post-Roe needs of mothers, fathers and families facing the complex issues surrounding unplanned pregnancies.
Our 2023 Beneficiary Luncheon video highlights the leadership and missions of Youth Equipped to Succeed (YES), Prestonwood Pregnancy Center, Amira’s House, and The Lullaby House.
Thank you, Guests
Council for Life praises God this Thanksgiving week for providing YOU, our outstanding Luncheon Underwriters, Patrons and Guests, for most generously supporting our mission to educate about the humanity of the preborn and the vast resources available to help mothers bravely choose life and fundraise for local life-affirming agencies.
Thank you, Pastors and Civic Leaders
We also thank and recognize the pastors, priests and ministry leaders who joined us at the Luncheon and who bravely speak for the sanctity of life. We further thank and recognize the distinguished government officials in attendance at the Luncheon who have fought boldly and courageously for the unborn.
Please Support Life!
DOUBLE THE IMPACT of your Gift Thanks to a Generous Matching Grant from Patriot Mobile and Mehridith and Jon Venverloh / Venverloh Family Foundation
The needs of our 2023 Beneficiaries are greater and more urgent than ever in a Post-Roe world. Please donate now to support our Beneficiaries and their lifesaving work.
