Dr. Jean Garton, a Lutheran Pro-Life Model

By Julio Severo

Dr. Jean Garton, who was instrumental in the formation of Lutherans For Life in 1978 and was its first president, died on December 23, 2016 at the age of 87.

Jean Garton

After the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United Sates in 1973, she became a leader in advocating respect and protection for every human being.

God used her to be a world-renowned expert on pro-life issues. He provided her with opportunities to testify before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures concerning life issues. Her writings include books such as “Who Broke the Baby?” (published by Bethany House Publishers), scripts for documentary videos, and daily radio commentaries for five years, plus countless articles on numerous topics. She traveled the world speaking before royalty and government leaders as well as at small gatherings of three or four to deliver the message God had entrusted to her.

She led an energetic presentation at the Lutherans For Life National Conference this past October based on the theme “Here We Stand” and there received the Dominus Vitae award in honor of her lifelong, Gospel-motivated labors to affirm God’s gift of life.

She served as national president of Lutherans For Life for 17 years. She was a frequent and popular guest of “Focus on the Family” with Dr. James Dobson and chaired the Declaration Committee for the World Congress of Families when it was held in Prague, Geneva, and Mexico City.

Even with all of Jean’s accomplishments, at the end, what mattered most to her was the knowledge that eternity was secure not because of all she had done but by the blood of her Savior, Jesus Christ. In Him all her sins were forgiven. Through Him, she, her family and many friends, and all others who place their confidence in Him will rise from the dead when He returns. It is then she will hear her Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

My first contact with Jean was two decades ago, and I received from her and Lutherans for Life many books and materials to equip ministers and other leaders in Brazil.

She and her husband of sixty-two years, the late Reverend Horace “Chic” Garton, were blessed with four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Portuguese version of this article: Dra. Jean Garton, um modelo pró-vida luterano

Source: Last Days Watchman