Honor the sanctity of life–of all people, says Barry Whitworth

In Pennsylvania/South Jersey, we aim to reconcile people back to God AND to reconcile relationships broken by sin, including the sins of abortion, racism, division, and disunity, the executive director of the Baptist Resource Network said.

January 13, 2022
Barry Whitworth

Hello BRN Family. It’s good to be with you today.

There are two important days coming up this week: Sanctity of Life Sunday, when churches around the United States celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage; and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., who also championed life, especially among Black Americans.

We are thankful for these observances because we value life as well. In Genesis 1, we see God as CREATOR and that everything He created was good.

It was good! From the very beginning, God placed extreme value on those He created: every life at every stage of life — from the womb to one’s deathbed. We should ascribe that value to all human beings as well.

The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that EVERYTHING is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Let me say that again. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation!

In Pennsylvania/South Jersey, we aim to reconcile people back to God AND to reconcile relationships broken by sin, including the sins of abortion, racism, division, and disunity.

We can only achieve this because of what God achieved through Jesus.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” 2 Corinthians 5:21. What an awesome gift to celebrate. He gave us life, but because He gave His life, He also gave us righteousness.

I want to urge you to participate in this year’s MLK Day of Service. Join Southern Baptists across the country in meeting the needs in your community and beyond. Whether your project focuses on the whole city, a specific neighborhood or even one family, your service can change lives.

I want to further urge you to celebrate the value of all life on both of these days, celebrating that all of humanity is created in God’s image and for His glory.

And beyond that, consider how God may continue using you as a minister of reconciliation. I am praying for you!

Barry Whitworth

Barry has been in ministry for over 30 years, serving as a mission pastor, associate pastor, church planter, pastor, interim pastor, transitional pastor and planter, church planting strategist, lead church planting catalyst, church planting director, and now executive director.

Before his calling as Executive Director of the Baptist Resource Network in February 2017, he was a church planting missionary and served the Multiplying Churches Team Leader for the BRN.