Lancaster County, PA is known for its rolling farmland, horse drawn buggies, and deeply rooted conservative values. Often called Amish Country, it is a place where faith and family shape the culture. Yet in the center of this county lies Lancaster City, a small but growing hub with a more “progressive” outlook. The city has welcomed new development, “diverse” communities, and even a Planned Parenthood that began operating in 2022.
This contrast between the county and the city creates a unique spiritual battleground. Surrounded by farmland and conservative communities, the heart of the city now hosts an abortion facility where lives are ended each week. It is a reminder that no place is immune to the reach of the abortion industry, no matter how strong the surrounding values may seem.
During a recent visit to Lancaster County, PA, our Executive Director Daniel Parks and Director of Expansion Brian Ottinger joined the prayer walk in Lancaster, witnessing firsthand how the church is responding. Over the past year, the local team has observed the operating hours of this Planned Parenthood steadily decreasing, which we believe is the result of the ongoing prayers and faithful presence of the local church. One powerful example of that faithfulness is Christ Alone Fellowship, pastored by Juan Carlos “Los” Morales. Just five minutes from the Planned Parenthood, this congregation has made the issue of life a visible and active part of their ministry. They host monthly prayer walks, partner with other churches, and have joined Love Life’s House of Refuge network to ensure anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy finds safety, support, and hope.
For Pastor Los, this is not just a social cause but a Gospel issue. Years before the clinic opened in Lancaster City, he and his wife Lynette were already ministering outside abortion centers in nearby York. When God placed their church building so close to the new Planned Parenthood, they knew it was an opportunity to be a light in a dark place.
In a county where many assume abortion is rare and the church’s voice is strong, Lancaster City shows a different reality. It takes courage, conviction, and compassion for the church to stand publicly for life here. Christ Alone Fellowship, together with a growing number of Love Life partnering churches, shows what this looks like: a church rooted in the Gospel, committed to prayer, and ready to walk alongside families who are choosing life.
If you live in or near Lancaster County, PA, we invite you to get connected with the local team. If you are near another Love Life city, we encourage you to join the movement there. Visit lovelife.org/locations to find a city near you and see how you can pray, serve, and bring hope to families in your community.