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Source: Clearly Caring Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008, Vol. 28, No. 6
I have served as the first and only National Director of Christian Life Resources. I have been around since the start-up of the original national board in 1983 and before permanent staffing was secured. Yet, to the surprise of many, the organization was not my creation. The roots of Christian Life Resources can be traced to Mr. Larry Marquardt from Illinois, who founded this pro-life and pro-family agency. When this organization started, it was originally named Lutherans for Life. It later became WELS Lutherans for Life, and in 1999 it was renamed to Christian Life Resources.
As this final installment in our Anniversary History series, I wish to focus on the founder, Larry Marquardt. Since Larry died in June 2001, we decided to interview his wife, Joyce, a pro-life advocate who remains personally involved in protecting lives.
We thank God for having given us Larry Marquardt, and we honor his memory with this article. - Pastor Robert Fleischmann
 Larry was passionate about protecting unborn children. What role did you play in those early years of supporting him with this effort?
My only involvement, initially, was supporting Larry in his passion. I had a full-time job caring for our 12 children.
All of your children are pro-life. How did you and Larry instill that value in them?
Children learn by example. It was obvious that Larry and I were pro-life and that was what God desired of all of us.
Some of our children were born during the time that "Zero Population Growth" was considered politically correct. I'm sure our children witnessed some negative looks and comments as part of a large family. But Larry always stressed that we should do all things "to the glory of God."
What were some of Larry's early frustrations in starting WELS Lutherans for Life?
His main frustration was with pastors who either thought our group was unnecessary or part of the "social gospel" and therefore not their concern. Larry once wrote: "We sought out those that understood that abortion is contrary to God's Word. Pastor Joel Gerlach was willing to stand with us. He presented the keynote address at the organizational meeting of Lutherans for Life. The presentation topic was 'What Can a Christian Do About Abortion?' "
Abortion numbers are starting to decline. What would Larry say today about the current situation?
He would be delighted. I believe (and I think he would, too) that part of that is due to abstinence teaching. However, please be aware that there are millions of unreported abortions. We have lots of work to do.
Besides starting WELS Lutherans for Life, what other steps did Larry take to combat abortion?
He was active in other Right to Life groups. He was the Public Relations Chairman for Illinois Federation Right to Life. He also worked closely with Americans United for Life (AUL). He was very supportive of me when I went back to school to get my masters of education. I did my research in Abstinence Education and wrote a 5th-6th grade curriculum, which I am still teaching along with my 7th-8th grade class. He also produced brochures for Lutherans for Life (LFL) and of course spoke whenever he had the opportunity. Of all the critical issues, and all the projects in which Larry was involved, how did the abortion issue rise to the top of Larry's concerns?
In a prepared speech for Lutherans for Life, Larry stated: "In 1939 France and England declared war on Germany, and World War II began. The reason stated in the declaration by the allied powers was ‘to defend the rights of smaller nations.'
"I thought to myself that was the proper reason – the large should defend the small, the strong should defend the weak. The summer of 1940 I spent bedridden in the contagious disease hospital of Chicago with a case of scarlet fever. My main source of entertainment was a radio in our ward. I listened to news most of my waking moments. The news was centered around the war. France surrendered that summer to the Germans, and a sizable portion of their forces switched sides. Vichy France was now an ally of Hitler. France warships, flying the French flag were now fighting against the rights of smaller nations. I thought to myself, how sad it is when a nation deserts good for evil…
"In my teenage years I became interested in the history of the Christian church. The Lord led me to marry Joyce in 1960. Our love for God, and for each other continued to grow…
"In 1964 abortion became legal in England, 1969 New York, and Hawaii also legalized abortion.
"The Catholic Church immediately became vocal with a strong pro-life position and witness.
"Pastor Harold Wicke, director of the Northwestern Lutheran, produced several positive editorials, as did the late Dr. Sig Becker. One small Lutheran Federation (FAL) that was in fellowship with Wisconsin Synod produced a position paper condemning abortion and euthanasia. I was privileged to co-author that paper.
"On January 22, 1973, I was driving home when the announcement came over the radio that the Supreme Court had legalized abortion on demand. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were no longer guaranteed to the unborn. I was certain that Congress would correct and reverse this immoral decision. There were a few voices of protest. The Catholic Church spoke out, testified before Congress, and attempted to use its influence to right the wrong. Where was protestant America? They were by and large silent or on the wrong side of the issue as was Vichy France in World War II. Our nation had deserted good for evil.
"I began attending pro-life functions. My typical introduction was ‘Hey, I would like you to meet Larry Marquardt. He's not Catholic!' "
"I began approaching everybody that would sit still, and give them a pro-life lecture, literature and an offer to see the ‘Abortion – How It Is' slides.
"We formed a pro-life committee at our church, St. John's, Libertyville, IL. That committee became Lutherans for Life. We started a hotline and established a support network, printed material, and had a speakers' bureau..."
I think you can read from Larry's comments how the Lord prepared him as a child to have empathy for the "least." He always studied theology – from college days when he enrolled in the Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He left school because of the liberal theology he encountered there.
If given the chance, what would Larry have done differently with WELS Lutherans for Life? I'm not sure he would have done anything differently. He would have done more. He talked about having a Lutheran Chair of Medicine at a prominent medical school since most pro-life doctors are Catholic. He felt there should be someone speaking on pro-life issues every Sunday in one of our churches – So many of our people are uninformed.
He believed in getting informed and involved politically in support of life. Abstinence should be taught in all our schools. Children need to know that actions have consequences – sometimes life-changing ones.
What were some of his greatest joys about WELS Lutherans for Life?
Every time we had a chance to witness to God's Law and the Gospel of Christ it was a joy. Every baptism – every birth – every decision to not abort – all joy!!!
Please share a couple of favorite stories from Larry's experiences with WELS Lutherans for Life.
One of the stories he loved to tell was about our vey first client. We hadn't even opened our center when a Catholic lawyer we knew called Larry looking for help. He had a teenage girl in his office, and her parents were pressuring her to get an abortion. Cindi Sampe had completed her training in Hawaii, and she took charge. Before the day was over she had legal custody of the girl and had her enrolled in the local high school. Unfortunately, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, but the entire episode showed that we could be successful.
I remember the story of the first baby adopted through our center. The parents were teenagers – not ready to start a family. Their son was adopted by a WELS couple who loved him dearly and educated him in WELS schools. Today that boy is married and a father himself. Praise be to God!
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