Shop Your Values Through ShopPelavida: Online Marketplace

Those of us that are exasperated by our pro-life, pro-family values being mocked by companies now have a new place to shop: Pelavida.

Brydon and Giulia Albers noticed online marketplaces regularly contradicting their Christian beliefs, with pro-abortion and anti-Christian products being openly for sale.

“Once we became aware of what we were unwillingly supporting we knew we had to find another way. We were tired of indirectly paying for the murder of babies through mainstream stores, but desired a convenient one-stop shop,” says Brydon Albers, speaking with NCR.

Catholics across the country encounter the same problem. They appreciate the enormous selection and quick shipping of the big online retailers such as Amazon or Etsy, but would rather spend their money with sites and companies that don’t mock their values.

“We just knew there had to be lots of folks like us who needed a resource they could turn to that was moral and in line with their values,” Brydon said.

The growing demand for alternatives led the Albers to create shoppelavida.com, which launched in December 2022. Their noble purpose is to provide consumers with a pro-life alternative to Amazon and Etsy brands.

The word is a combination of two Portuguese words, pela (meaning “for”) and vida (meaning “life”):

“As Christians, we stand firm in the Word, and Pelavida is founded specifically from God’s message in Jeremiah 1:5a: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,” Brydon continued.

In just four months, Pelavida is now carrying 140 different brands, with more vendor applications coming in every day. Hundreds of products in a wide range of categories are now offered on the site, from coffee to clothing.

Vendors who want to be hosted on Pelavida have to agree to a Statement of Life, which states their support for the unborn.  This enables customers to shop with the peace of mind that they are not contributing to the abortion industry.

“I hated the Amazon machine and the millions the Bezos family was pouring into Planned Parenthood. We are aspiring to be a part of the parallel economy that is developing to help customers connect with businesses who support their values,” Brydon shared.

Another aspect of Pelavida that is drawing attention is the contribution to pregnancy centers.  10% of all sales are donated to pregnancy centers, with two already benefitting.

“We knew we wanted to give a portion of our proceeds to “pro-life initiatives” but it wasn’t until we started visiting crisis pregnancy centers that we decided to focus our efforts on supporting them. We have been so impressed by the wonderful souls serving in those centers and after hearing the challenges they face, we wanted to be a part of their solution. If more mothers (and fathers!) got the appropriate support at the right time, we know more lives can be saved,” Brydon says. “Too many mothers turn to abortion when they feel they aren’t prepared/are in a bad situation. We’ve been able to witness the power of God working through these centers and showing women that they are not alone and that abortion never has to be the answer!”

The pregnancy centers that have received checks so far from Pelavida planned to use the money for new kitchen appliances, starting a men’s outreach, and basic daily operating expenses (paid staff, supplies, medical licensing, etc).

“The outpouring of support for what we’re doing has been incredible and humbling – far exceeding our expectations! God has led us in a different path than we had expected and we are all the better for it, of course.”

The motivation behind the new marketplace is clearly stated on the website: “We believe that every child is intentionally and purposefully made by God. Abortion is a direct violation of His creation. Additionally, we acknowledge the science that unique DNA (i.e. Life) is created at conception (1996 Princeton Study). To abort this DNA at any stage of the pregnancy is murder. ”

It’s noteworthy that some family-owned brands on Etsy/Instagram have switched over to Pelavida.

Interested sellers can apply at shoppelavida.com/sell or email [email protected] to get started.

“With God’s blessing,” adds Brydon, “we will become a direct alternative to Amazon/Etsy.”

Here’s what some of the vendors are saying about selling their products on Pelavida:

“I love to sell my products on a website with the same core values that I have.”  Shannon Rose Goods

“I love supporting pro-life values and businesses!”  Hemsworth Homestead

“We are a Christian home-based business and selling on a platform that has values that align with ours is exciting!” Brave and Courageous Company

“I love the idea of a pro-life business that won’t reject or suppress my products.” Swan Song Products.

“I love that there is not only an alternative platform for me to sell my product on, but it is a platform that aligns with my beliefs, and values, and celebrates the sanctity of life as every individual is made in the image of God or Imago Dei.” Red Clay & Co.

“In the age of secularism, it is more important than ever to raise up strong Christian children. Pelavida holds to strong Pro-Life values that are echoed in the Bible that I wish to associate with as a business.” Sowed Books

“We are so excited to find a company that upholds our values!!! To be able to perform commerce on a platform that does not actively oppose and undermine the sanctity of life is something that has been desperately needed, and we are determined to add our voice to yours.” Spicewood Creek Co.

“I am overjoyed to find you because I am as opposed to

abortion as you are!!! I’m so grateful for the hard work you have done to create the Pelavida, and I want to support your work in every way possible.” Connie’s House

“I want to sell on Shop Pelvavida for the simple fact of life. I am an adopted child from India. My life could have been nothing. But, because God had other plans for me my birth mother chose life. I also want to sell on Pelavida because we need a voice. There are many voices and vices taking men away from God and who He created them to be.” Chain Breaker Outdoors

A Shop Pelavida app will launch soon.