How many people does it take to save an unborn life?

From Justin Taylor:

Visit www.heartbeatinternational.org and you will see Lisa.  She represents one example of the community of Christians it takes some times to save even one mother and baby from abortion.  I met Lisa through the Core Center, our of Heartbeat affiliate in Sunbury, OH.  Listening to Lisa, I counted about 23 people who played a direct and significant role, in rescuing Lisa from despair, saving her baby from certain death, and being the answer to prayer for a young couple praying for the opportunity to adopt.  They include:

Four (4) from the pregnancy help center.

1-the phone consultant, trained to reassure Lisa that coming for pregnancy help, rather than turning to an abortionist to save her, is the right thing to do.

2- the pregnancy consultant that greeted Lisa, provided her a pregnancy test and did a case assessment (and in her case, the needs were extraordinary and immediate).

3- the nurse/sonographer who performed the ultrasound scan.  This enabled Lisa to see that the choice before her was not, “should I have a baby or not?” She could see that she had a baby.  The true choice before her was to nurture or kill the baby she had.

4- the Director, Melissa, who because of the immense and immediate needs Lisa had, including no place to stay that night, needed to get involved and make some calls.
Three (3) from a local church.

1- the pastor, who received the call from the Director, and swung his church into action; and

2- the gentleman who came forward, that the pastor knew and trusted, who offered her a safe room to stay in that night and over the following days.

3- the man in his church who owned some property, including an empty apartment, and offered it to her for free.

Twelve (12), the number of people from this church and probably others, who came forward over the next several weekends to repair, replace, paint, carpet, clean, and furnish this apartment for Lisa.  I may be underestimating this number.

Two (2) from Catholic Charities.

1- the amazing adoption counselor assigned to Lisa’s case, who with care and professionalism, assisted Lisa as she considered adoption, befriended her throughout the pregnancy and through the emotional ups and downs, led her through the process of reviewing, interviewing and selecting parents for her baby, and secured the legal work for it to be done right and fair to all.

2- the lawyer handling it all.

Two (2), the adopting parents.  A precious young, married Christian couple, who had been seeking a child for a number of years.  I saw them with Lisa, holding the baby, and sharing together the very gift of life and bonded by the powerful and special love that is inherent in adoption.

That makes 23 people directly involved in Lisa’s story.  Because I don’t know the number, I did not count those sisters who helped Lisa learn to pray and to trust in Christ, as she testified that night.  So there are more.

Lisa’s picture and story is on our home page of the new website found at www.heartbeatinternational.org.

Valuing Life

[This is from Rev. Phil Holsinger, President/CEO of the Blue Ridge Women's Center in Roanoke, VA.  If you are not an active supporter of your local Women's Center, I would encourage to learn more about what you can do to support those on the front lines of the fight for life - ALL life.]

In a recent discussion with one of our staff members, I was reminded that we do more than just save babies here at Blue Ridge Women’s Center. Of course seeing a child given the opportunity to live a life that may have otherwise been abruptly ended by abortion is extremely valuable and worthwhile. But it is the woman who walks through the door that we direct our ministry toward. Her life is every bit as valuable and important as the one growing within her. That’s part of the reason we changed the name of this ministry a few years back. We are now known as Blue Ridge Women’s Center because we care deeply about women and their babies. We compassionately bring the truth of God’s love to every woman who calls, texts, e-mails or walks into this office. We do this because we know that God cares deeply about each of them as well.

It may come as a surprise to you, but somewhere between 25% and 30% of our clients have a negative pregnancy test result. Yet we direct a significant amount of our time and resources toward ministering to those women. If all we cared about was the baby, these clients would be quickly dismissed. Why do we spend the time, resources and energy? It’s simple, really—her life is precious and valuable. She is God’s creation and He desires the best for her. And in the vast majority of instances she is engaged in a lifestyle that will lead to significant problems emotionally, physically and spiritually in the future. She has made and is making decisions that will have bad outcomes.

This same philosophy of ministry applies to the women with positive tests who intend to continue their pregnancies, those with no intention to abort. We care about them, their lives today as well as the future. They too are precious in God’s sight and He cares deeply for them. It is a privilege for us to partner with God as He draws them closer to His truth and light. Like the women with negative tests, most of these clients have chosen lifestyles that have tragedy and heartbreak written all over them.

In addition to the women who intend to abort, are vulnerable to abortion, intend to carry, or have a negative test result, there are those who chose to abort a child in the past. This group of women and men hold a special place in my heart because they walk a path that I walked as well. The consequences of their decision are having a significant impact on their lives whether they realize it or not. But with God’s forgiveness, healing and restoration they can live in the peace He provides. Why? Because He cares deeply for them; they are also precious in His sight.

I have been in the Roanoke area for over 18 months now, and I assume there are people and organizations in our community that may care as deeply about women as we do, but I am convinced that none of them care more deeply than we do. And you are a part of that collective we. Without your support, encouragement and prayers we wouldn’t have the impact on the lives that have marked our 25 years of ministry.

Please keep us in your prayers daily, especially during these times of economic uncertainty. Now, more than at any time in my recollection, more women’s lives and the lives of their children hang in the balance. Our client visits are up and so are the number of women who are abortion-intended and abortion-vulnerable.

Additionally, please pray about your financial support of this ministry. The summer months are the slowest time of the year for us, and your gift now will help us make it through these late summer months. (Click here to make a gift online today.)

We are also planning for our 25th Anniversary Fundraising Banquet coming up October 15th at the Hotel Roanoke. We need more Table Hosts than we have in the past, and so we are asking all of our friends to find out how they can host a table as well as join us in this celebration. (Click here to find out the details.) I hope to see you there.

God’s Blessings,
Rev. Phil Holsinger (Coach), President/CEO