October 21, 2025 // Diocese

Thousands Gather to Champion Life in Fort Wayne

Clare Hildebrandt

Reporter

Leaders at Right to Life of Northeast Indiana threw the largest pro-life party in the country, and its guest of honor wowed the crowd with an impassioned speech that focused on defending the unborn and thanking all those who support the cause of life.

With more than 2,000 people gathered inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Expo Hall in Fort Wayne, actor Kirk Cameron – best known for his role as Mike Seaver on 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” – served as the night’s keynote speaker on Tuesday, October 14. The event, which is held every year during Respect Life Month, aims to raise money and awareness to help Right to Life of Northeast Indiana advance its mission “to promote and defend innocent human life through education, advocacy, and public policy.”

The large crowd enjoyed a buffet meal as the night began with the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and remarks from team members of Right to Life of Northeast Indiana.

At the heart of the banquet was Cameron’s address, which highlighted his family’s experience with adoption.

As a father of six children – four of whom were adopted by him and his wife, Chelsea – Cameron expressed immense gratitude for his children’s biological parents choosing life.

Later, when speaking with Today’s Catholic, Cameron reiterated some of his speech, praising the everyday people of Indiana for their dedication to the pro-life cause. He attributed the movement’s major successes to much prayer and volunteer service. 

“We’re in a battle for life here,” Cameron said. “And in any battle, you have the lieutenants and the generals and those who are highly decorated. However, these people are not actually fighting the war though. It is the foot soldiers who carry out the work and do the difficult things. And the people here [at the Right to Life of Northeast Indiana fall banquet] are doing those very things.”

“It is the foot soldiers who really get all the work done. It’s prayer, being sidewalk counselors, and talking with those at Planned Parenthood. It is the people who are funding organizations like this that can help on the policy side as well,” Cameron said.

“We knew that there were all sorts of great people here [in Indiana] with good values. … I have great memories of Indiana from my first time and am excited to be back,” he finished.

Indiana State Representative Bob Morris was among those in attendance listening to Cameron share his testimony. Known for his political support for pro-life causes, including a public stance against the death penalty during the last legislative session, Morris told Today’s Catholic he was impressed by the large number of people who came out to support the pro-life cause.

“It is always encouraging to see thousands of people gathering to break bread that all have the same common mission to stand for life,” Morris said. “I’m a legislator who stands for life from conception to natural death. I enjoy seeing friends from the past and making future friends here at this dinner every year.”

When asked what advice he would give to his fellow Hoosiers to promote pro-life causes in the community, Morris gave simple advice.

“I’m a person of faith, and I do not shy from my beliefs,” Morris said. “[My advice is] if you believe something, tell people. Tell people you know at the gym, at work, that you stand for life at the moment of conception. Share with them a story about the past where a mother chose life versus not choosing it.”

Joseph Renner, a board member at Right to Life of Northeast Indiana, said one of the key takeaways for him was the diversity of Christian traditions among the attendees.

“Even though we are of different faith traditions, we are in one body of Christ, and Christ calls us to reach out to our most vulnerable among us,” Renner said. “So, as Christians, we all face this call to work together and unify ourselves.”

“I am so happy to see the amount of support we have, the amount of people who are dedicated to the advancing of the culture of life and the sanctity of life. I am still impressed that we are holding the largest pro-life banquet in the nation,” said Renner.

McKenna Smothermon, a young adult who attended the event, told Today’s Catholic that she was also amazed by the number of attendees in the banquet hall.

“I had no idea this room would be this big and that would be so full. I was kind of overwhelmed by just all the people,” Smothermon said. “It is so heartwarming to see so many supportive people and all the pledges that people are doing.”

Ultimately, Smothermon found the dinner to be a time of great reflection – especially on the hardships that mothers face as they carry out their pregnancies. 

“[Vulnerable mothers] are our sisters in Christ,” she said. “I can’t imagine how scary and difficult it is to find yourself with an unexpected pregnancy.”

Abigail Lorenzen, education coordinator for Right to Life of Northeast Indiana, felt strongly about the event being “the heart of the [pro-life] community” in Fort Wayne.

“It is so encouraging for us as a staff to see this many people rally together,” Lorenzen said. “This is the heart of the community. … This is truly its heartbeat, especially since we have a ton of churches and sponsors here. If you look at the list of churches, St. Therese has seven tables, which is crazy. St. Patrick’s Arcola got the Church Activity award this year. It is just so neat to see.”

At the end of the night, as pro-lifers were pouring out of the hall, many stopped to congratulate Lorenzen, whose pregnancy due date was just a few days after the banquet. She said the support she felt was a true testament to the love and care the pro-life community in northeast Indiana holds.

“To be able to greet people at the door of the banquet tonight and have them express genuine joy [as they see my pregnancy], it is just beautiful. It feels iconic,” she said.

Clare Hildebrandt is a staff writer for Today’s Catholic.