Origin and History of LIFEWATCH

Even before the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, some denominational boards were actively moving The United Methodist Church towards a pro-abortion position. United Methodists had no unified voice defending women and their unborn children again the deceptive allure of abortion.

In August 1987, nine pastors and lay people met in Washington, D.C. and formed the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality (TUMAS). One of the objectives of the new organization was to promote Biblical and Wesleyan moral responsibility in the church and society.

TUMAS's mission states, "Out of obedience to Jesus Christ, the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality works to create-in church and society-esteem for human life at its most vulnerable, specifically for the unborn child and for the woman who contemplates abortion. Therefore, TUMAS's goal is to win the hearts and minds of United Methodists, and to engage in abortion-prevention through theological, pastoral, and social emphases that support human life."

TUMAS has worked within the annual conferences to educate United Methodists about the realities of abortion and to bring about change which both protects the life of the unborn child and honors the lifelong health and welfare of the woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.

As part of the outreach, TUMAS began a quarterly newsletter, called "Lifewatch". The newsletter is now read by over 4000 United Methodists throughout the nation. Over time, the group has become more closely associated with the name Lifewatch than with TUMAS, though both names refer to the same organization.

Lifewatch receives no funds and little publicity from the denomination. We depend entirely on the prayers, donations, and personal involvement of like-minded individuals. If you support the work and mission of Lifewatch, we'd love to have you join us.