Sanctity of Life Sunday in the Southern Baptist Convention is Jan. 18.
Preparing for and observing Sanctity of Life Sunday doesn’t require an extensive program. Faithfulness often begins with simple, intentional steps.
Here are several “baby steps” a church can take to thoughtfully and prayerfully participate.
Begin with God’s Word
Anchor your church in Scripture. Psalm 139:13–14 offers a theological foundation for why the church cares about life. God is the author of life — the One who forms, knows and loves every person, even before birth. Framing Sanctity of Life Sunday around this passage helps move the conversation beyond culture wars and roots it firmly in worship and discipleship.
From there, consider simple ways to engage your congregation.
1. Start with a united vision. Begin the service by showing the Sanctity of Human Life video. This video can help set the tone, introduce the theme and invite reflection.
2. Make advocacy visible. Use slides and graphics to promote Sanctity of Life Sunday in worship, on screens or through your church’s communication channels. Visual cues can spark important conversations.
3. Pray intentionally. Include a focused prayer during your service for unborn children, vulnerable families, women and couples facing unplanned pregnancies, and those serving in pregnancy resource centers. Prayer is our primary strategy in all ministry efforts.
4. Share a local story. Invite a staff member or volunteer from a local pregnancy resource center to offer a brief testimony. Hearing firsthand stories of compassion and life-changing ministry helps connect theology with real-world impact.
5. Proclaim biblical truth. Preach on the sanctity of human life. Psalm 139, the image of God and Christ’s care for the vulnerable inspires teaching that is both faithful and hope-filled.
6. Build ongoing connection. Identify one church member to serve as a liaison with a local PRC. This role can open the door to long-term partnership, prayer and support beyond one Sunday.
7. Help us serve churches better. Encourage a leader to complete the Sanctity of Human Life Survey. This helps Baptists understand how churches are engaging and where additional support or resources are needed.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story is an excerpt of an article written and originally published by the Biblical Recorder.
