Guarding Our First Charge

“Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis 1:28 is often referred to as the first great commission. With this mandate, let us “therefore choose life.” (Deut. 30:19) It’s easy to see how God loves life throughout Scripture, but have you ever thought about how today’s “Right to Life” issues go far beyond abortion? Does the Bible have anything to say about birth control pills or vasectomies? What about the barren, IVF, or adoption? Are you educated on these topics and prepared to defend life no matter the consequence? These may be sensitive topics, but we as men should be prepared to talk about these issues to guard those closest to us. This may seem like an odd topic to discuss at a Men’s Gathering, but if we are not prepared to answer the tough questions related to these topics, those we are given charge over will find answers elsewhere. The goal of this weekend was to educate and prepare fathers/sons/and grandfathers so they can help those in their lives make wise decisions regarding these issues. See also our statement on choice of topic and speaker for the year: An Explanation Behind This Year’s Speakers

We are excited to welcome Dr. Donna Harrison to the 2026 Men’s Gathering. Dr. Harrison will provide 3 educational sessions on the ever-changing abortion landscape, potential contraception concerns, and alternative reproductive options.

Dr. Harrison is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and Director of Research for the American Association of Prolife Obstetricians and Gynecologists. AAPLOG is the largest pro-life physician organization in the world. They encourage and equip their members and other concerned medical professionals, to provide an evidenced-based defense of both the mother and her unborn child. She has also spoken before the FDA Reproductive Health Advisory Committee on mifepristone and ulipristal and has addressed numerous congressional committees, as well as presenting at the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women accessory sessions on topics related to medical abortion in developing nations, and maternal mortality and abortion. Dr. Harrison a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church and is married to Dr. Mark Harrison, M.D. She is the mother of 5 children and 5 grandchildren.

To provide a Scriptural understanding of these topics, we are also pleased to welcome Indiana District President, Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch.  Dr. Stuckwisch will tag-team the presentation time with Dr. Harrison and will be our Pastor for the weekend leading our morning and evening devotions.

The Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch is President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He also continues to serve Emmaus Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana, where he was ordained in May 1996. A graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska (BA, 1988), Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana (MDiv, 1993; STM, 2003), and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (MA, 1996; PhD, 2003), he served on the Lutheran Service Book project from 1998 to 2006, and on the Indiana District Worship Committee from 2003 to 2012. He then served as a Circuit Visitor and as a District Vice President before being elected as District President in 2022. Dr. Stuckwisch and his wife LaRena were married in 1985 and have been blessed with ten children, seven of them now married, and twenty-four grandchildren so far. He especially enjoys reading aloud to his family, listening to audio books and a wide variety of music, and visiting his grandchildren whenever he is able.