California church committed to pro-life stance braces for protests
By Scott Barkley - Posted at Baptist Press:
Published November 11, 2026
"Last month, as Love Life members gathered in Coastlands’ parking lot, protesters met planned prayer with yelling, screamed curses through bullhorns and placards depicting Jesus in sex acts."SAN DIEGO (BP) – Jake McDonnell says yes when it comes to supporting pro-life causes. He held to it when local leaders from Love Life, a national pro-life group, asked McDonnell if the pastor would allow them to meet in the parking lot of Coastlands Community Church prior to their going to a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic to pray.
Love Life San Diego typically held those monthly meetings at a local park. But construction in the park necessitated the move to pray in the church parking lot prior to departure.
“Love Life does a lot of great work, and locally, they are doing very well,” McDonnell told Baptist Press of the ecumenical group headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. “They disciple churches on how to take on pro-life causes.”
Not long after granting Love Life’s request, McDonnell received a letter from a group identifying itself as dedicated to protecting women’s health. The letter stated the group was reaching out to the church “respectfully and in good faith.” They supported the church’s right to have its position on abortion and even to allow Love Life to gather at the church. That support existed, though, only as long as the gathering “begins and ends at your church.”
