The Power of Many: the Winnipeg Life Hike

By Nadine Fetherston

For many years, Life’s Vision has partnered with other Pro-Life organizations in bringing a peaceful, public awareness and support for life through their annual Life Hike – a walk for life, hope and love. Every fall, a different church hosts the Life Hike in Winnipeg. The Life Hike has two main purposes: to raise funds for pro-life educational projects and to serve as a community public witness to remind others about the pro-life message. 

September 28, 2019 - New Life Sanctuary Church

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This year in Winnipeg on the crisp fall morning of September 28, 2019, a wonderful collection of around 120 people of various backgrounds, stories and faith arrived at New Life Sanctuary Church to show their support for life. There were families of all ages, some with many children, taking part in the walk, as well as representatives from various pro-life groups throughout the province. Despite the cool air, there was a sense of warmth, love and unity as all came together to walk as one through the community with signs carrying messages such, “A person’s a person, no matter how small” and “The right to life is the first among human rights”.   

The Power of Many

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There were many honks of support from passers-by. Many looked on with interest, while a small few voiced differing opinions as we walked along. Knowing that discussions can spark changes and that education and listening are the keys to changing hearts, so is the power of many. There is strength in numbers and when people gather together in a peaceful, prayerful and loving way, with a common mission, there is no denying the impact that it makes. Our presence may be able to set off conversations, or initiate awareness through messages on our signs, such as, “there are no abortion laws in Canada”. Our witness of love, and our willingness to share our hearts can also be impactful.

The mission I felt, among those gathered, is that we are the voice for the pre-born and we hope that our presence on that beautiful fall morning may have brought awareness, love and dialogue on a very important topic, the sanctity of life.

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“The beautiful thing about the Pro-Life movement is that it’s ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God.”
— St. Teresa of Calcutta