Amaya- Nursing, Sophomore

Sam- Nursing, Freshman

Braylyn- Nursing, Freshman

Katie- Nursing, Freshman

There seems to be a lot of hatred and disagreement over Crisis Pregnancy centers, some claiming that they only exist to discourage abortions (which is not necessarily a bad thing), others describing that they promote "anti-abortion and anti-contraception propaganda not supported by medical evidence". (1) The overall view of CPCs is that they are manipulative and have hidden internal motives.

Data, demographics, issues (international or local). The view needs to be shifted from stopping abortion to loving the individual in a Christian approach, with the stopping abortion part being the second part of the approach. This is an especially difficult topic to dive into, considering the emotions around abortions are high and the question of who should receive them (or at all) is a hot topic. The problem with crisis pregnancies, and unwanted pregnancies, is that the mother is typically unsupported, confused, and hurt in some way, and we should approach helping her and the child in the most Christ-like way we can.

A part of the problem behind the discouragement for people to go to clinics and crisis pregnancy centers, (specifically christian centered ones, or centers that are pro-life) is that our government is not Christian. These clinics are claimed manipulative and political, and the good values of the Christian view of life and healthcare is framed as evil. For example, an article from a public medical government website says that, "in 1973, CPCs played an important part in centering pregnant women within the pro-life movement and framing abortion as a byproduct of “an unjust system that did not value motherhood.”" (1) This statement would likely be celebrated if phrased differently, but because of the political state of our country, and the "evil" framework around christians, it is forced into a negative light. The government is focused more on "reproductive justice" and "reproductive health".

One cultural assumption is that Christians do not believe in healthcare, and that because of our beliefs, medical care for our children and ourselves is close to non existent. Another assumption is that we don't take medication, we just pray and hope for the best. Many people argue that the laws are too far in religious favor; "Preventive and screening measures from which many state laws provide religious exemptions include immunizations, metabolic testing, blood lead-level tests, newborn hearing tests, prophylactic eye drops, vitamin K injections or drops, vision examinations, dental examinations, and school instruction about disease" (2). Culture also carries the assumption that children (especially when not planned for) are a burden, which is coupled with the assumption/belief that a fetus is not a baby, ultimately creating a grounds for abortion.

• This issue creates very polarizing feelings between political parties and even within the Church. This polarity creates barriers to getting the mother and child the help they need because some women think ministries are trying to push their "political agendas" rather than truly care for them.

• Unwanted pregnancy can create feelings of hopelessness, shame, and despair in the pregnant mothers, and we should be there to support the mother during this stressful time.

• Sadly, many women who experience an unwanted pregnancy don't have a strong support system, which is exactly what they need during this time. In this work, as Christians, we are called to support these women and help them find a local support system that can be near to them during and after their pregnancy.

In order to equip the church, it is first important to make them aware of the issue and ensure they are familiar with the following:

• knowledge of pregnancy crisis/the situations and contexts that it might occur in

• knowledge of local and general resources to give/point them to coupled with willingness to walk alongside and support the individual or couple/family

• Biblically-informed knowledge of why choose life over abortion and also how abortion works

  
  

There are no general trainings they need, however, if they desire to work in certain parts of the ministry there may be specific trainings. For instance, if they desire to help give ultrasounds at the clinics or do certain mentoring or counseling.

Something specific the church should be equipped to do (or more so willing) is to walk alongside these mothers and couples/families through their pregnancy and also after the pregnancy. The church is often quick to meet the physical needs such as diapers and clothes, which is definitely needed, however, there is a great need for Christ-centered support. It is especially important for single women, especially if they have experienced trauma or the like, to have a good support system that will walk with them day to day.

The church may also choose to be involved with local organizations such as pregnancy crisis centers, whether through monetary support, engaging in events or assisting in putting them on, volunteering, praying, or other ways depending on the center.

Example of mentorship: Maternity Mentor: Maternity Mentorship Foundation; EMA Program | Every Mother's Advocate | Bravely Women's Health)

https://caringnetwork.com/be-the-light-how-churches-can-support-women-in-crisis-pregnancies/

Proverbs 31:8 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

-As explained in these verses, God commands us to speak up for the defenseless, which means we should stand up for unborn babies who are in a vulnerable situation. We also are called to help carry one another's burdens, which means we should walk alongside pregnant women who are struggling with their news, and support them after they have decided to keep the baby or have an abortion.

How does this work support right relationships with God, others, self, and creation?

-This work supports right relationships with others and creation because God created women and children. By helping women have a better relationship with their body and child, we are helping create right relationships with the mother and for the mother.

-This work also supports right relationships with God and self because this work can help us see the importance of life in general. God has given us life as a gift, and we should use our own life to glorify Him! One way we can glorify Him is by obeying His commands to care for the helpless.

How is it restorative?

-This work is restorative in that it brings mothers who felt hopeless, alone, and shameful into relationships with people who value them along with their baby simply for who they are. This work also supports both the mother and the child postpartum as they grow and need continued support.

How is it the work of Christians, and how should we do it differently?

-This work is the work of Christians because we are directly commanded to care for orphans and widows (James 1:27).

-We should do this work differently because we see the inherent value God has placed in the lives of the born and the unborn.

2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7545013/ "Faith-Based Medical Neglect: for Providers and Policymakers" (religion prevents a ton of people from receiving healthcare)

3)https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/stepping-up-to-defend-life/

"Stepping up to defend life" podcast by Focus on the family including Scott Klusendorf

websites we can use later:

https://research.lifeway.com/2020/01/16/4-steps-churches-can-take-to-advocate-for-the-unborn-and-their-mothers/

https://religiondispatches.org/christian-health-sharing-ministries-arent-all-corrupt-but-heres-why-they-are-a-problem/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5375650/

"Answering the call to accessible quality health care for all using a new model of local community not-for-profit charity clinics: A return to Christ-centered care of the past "

Ministry- Bravely Women's Health

Podcast- Life Matters: A Faithful Perspective on Abortion- Living Stones

S2E14 Life Matters: A Faithful… - Living Stones - Apple Podcasts

This podcast from Living Stones features Kelly White, The Church Partnership and Volunteer Coordinator of Assist Pregnancy Center. They discuss the complex legal, medical, and cultural landscape surrounding abortion in the United States. This podcast encourages us to think biblically, act compassionately, and engage this issue with truth and grace. Kelly White explains how the abortion pill statistics are very difficult to accurately represent because of their high accessibility. She also went into depth about the negative effects of having an abortion which includes both medical complications and mental health decline. White also talked about the option of abortion pill reversals and choosing hope over regret. I would recommend this podcast for anyone wanting to learn more about this topic.

Katie R:

Ministry- "Door of Hope Ministry"

Podcast- "Following Jesus in Nursing" Episode 8: "Mental Health & Jesus"

https://spotify.link/4DCZx56nuXb

In this episode, the host, Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner speaks with psychiatric/mental-health nurse, Skip McDonald about her experience in mental health care over the years. Skip discusses how she got to where she currently is as a mental health nurse. She has served with the same organization for 31 years doing research, public healthcare, home healthcare, nursing education, and mental healthcare. She has loved being able to care for others, especially at their worst as difficult as that can be. She has been able to see Jesus work so clearly in the lives of many of her patients through healing and a peace that surpasses all understanding. As a leader in spiritual formation at her workplace, she has been an advocate for the use of psychiatric medicine among Christians. Oftentimes, Christians will think they shouldn't take psychiatric medicine because it means "they don't have enough faith." Skip explains how it's the same as using blood pressure medicine. God has allowed us these services, and sometimes counseling isn't enough for certain mental health problems. Skip concludes by sharing a few stories of how she has seen God work in her own life through her trials and shortcomings. God is good despite us, and He has been able to work through Skip McDonald's live to communicate His love to her patients!

Amaya:

Ministry: Heartbeat International

"Speed to Care, Faith in Action - Toby Debase" - Pregnancy Help Podcast

https://pregnancyhelp.blubrry.net/2025/08/04/speed-to-care-faith-in-action/

Co-hosts Christine Grimmet and Tracie Shellhouse talk with Toby DeBause, the President of Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Tidewater. Toby explains how important it is to build your organizations culture off of values, especially specific ones. He says that a core value of Tidewater is being there and ready when women come, so they base the hours they are open/when they book on collected data of when women are likely and how likely they are to come to the Center. He also explains data measures they use for growth and effectiveness. DeBause also emphasizes the importance of having a collaborative team dynamic and not just top-down. Transitioning, he speaks on how they handled expansion well and intentionally. Within this he emphasizes the importance of culture, not just strategy, since we are called throughout scripture to live and work and act in community. Another major point DeBause speaks on is seeking to reach women in a variety of situations at different places in their decision of what to do with the baby. He concludes with speaking on the importance of following the Lord's leading and Jesus' example, having faith that God is over the work they are doing.

Sam:

Ministry: PDHC

Interviewed my aunt, a volunteer at PDHC

-What do you do specifically as a volunteer?

She is a greeter, and mainly does intake paperwork, and other practical office tasks. She also sends online parenting lessons to moms and dads in their parenting program.

-Can you explain more about this parenting program?

The parents earn points by watching BrightCourse parenting lessons then taking the quizzes. They then are able to come in and use the points to "shop" for diapers, wipes, clothes, or any other baby item they need.

-What are other volunteer opportunities?

With more training, volunteers can do the intakes with clients, actually sit down and have conversations with them. This job also is done by their center coordinators and nurses.

-Does PDHC have any preventative care or only after pregnancy care?

They offer in school programs to encourage abstinence and prevention of pregnancy for school age kids.

-Is there any care offered for women who have had abortions?

They have an abortion recovery program to counsel those women who have had abortions. Something unique about that is that the volunteers who counsel these women have to go through quite a bit of training, and it's a requirement that they (being the volunteers) have to have had an abortion in the past, giving them knowledge they need to support those women well.

Any other services you provide?

They have specific centers that provide pregnancy testing, free ultrasounds, and abortion pill reversal.

Katie N:

Stepping up to defend life - Focus On the Family

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/stepping-up-to-defend-life/

This Talk by Scott Klusendorf, from Focus On the Family, describes how to defend unborn lives with three questions and the acronym SLED.

1) What are the unborn?

2) What makes humans valuable?

3) What is our duty?

Firstly, Scott talks about how the unborn are human, using the acronym SLED to show the differences between you as an adult and as an embryo, concluding that none of those differences should allow you to be killed then but not now. S stands for Size, L is for Level of Development, E stands for Environment, and D is for Degree of Dependency. Klusendorf explains each of these differences, showing how they should not determine value of life, using examples from everyday life.

Next, Klusendorf reminds us that every human has value because we all share in human nature, and goes through other factors we contribute to value and how those are problematic.

Lastly, Scott talks about how we need to defend the unborn in conversation and remind others of the importance of unborn life. Our duty is to stand up for the helpless, and his talk gives many practical ways to defend unborn lives. I would highly recommend this podcast; I feel a lot more equipped to talk about this subject.

https://create.kahoot.it/share/ovc-assessment/3db68487-e899-4a3a-b5b0-58f642e9a369

Slides: OVC_Workshop_Presentation.pptx

Handout: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG14FC_VyA/uM17et0T4OANVsmIIy879Q/edit?utm_content=DAG14FC_VyA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Activity:

-Video: What Are Pregnancy Resource Centers? | Seize This Pro-Life Moment™

-Discussion Questions (on slideshow?)

Sam- WIN_20251116_21_05_59_Pro.mp4

Katie Nash- https://share.icloud.com/photos/06aUTOX8u1msNYK-MZPWx4LEg

Katie -

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG2WLRj4Pc/3OzT0rnrdJnTv4LDvgGi6w/edit

Sam's

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bf0UWUhRTSgOUBquJa_I1j-Uv6Y4aCvXqPNYNyTVACY/edit?usp=sharing

Katie Raber

Door Of Hope.pptx