Church Awareness Project Doors Still Open

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all who participated in this year's Church Awareness Project during the second annual Coerced Abortion Awareness Week. Many people helped to "light one candle" by sharing The Jericho Plan and resources about unwanted abortions.

This information is an important step to help inform, motivate and inspire our pastors, church leaders and others in our churches and faith communities.

Many participants have taken this opportunity to encourage individuals and families already hurt by abortion. Others, including those who have found healing and reconciliation after a past abortion, are reaching out to help others who might be facing an abortion or prevent them from pushing or coercing someone else to abort.

Educating our leaders and opening doors to healing are key to offering a compassionate and proactive pro-woman/pro-life response to this crisis that is endangering or has already affected so many individuals and families in our own circles.

Remember, you can do this outreach anytime of year.

Keep this outreach going year-round! This is also a good time to start planning for next April's event and to incorporate a church outreach into your existing pro-life plans.

Participants such as the one mentioned here are enhancing existing education and outreach efforts:

"Our church and local pregnancy center are expounding on current offerings by beginning a broader version of our current post abortion outreach. We are looking forward to seeing what the Elliot Institute has to offer for us."

 

Here are other comments we received about the project. Please join the conversation and write about your experiences and ideas on our blog.

"I so very much appreciate the reading of this excerpt. Yes, but what about the women? I am post abortive and have received the grace, forgiveness and healing from our Lord Jesus Christ. I have been a group leader/team leader for [an] abortion recovery ministry for about seven years now.

 

"The burden of my heart continues to be the many women who don't feel 'safe' enough to approach their church fellowship or even leadership with the tremendous spiritual and emotional needs they have as a result of their abortion.

 

"We as 'the body of Christ' can and should be doing a better job of demonstrating the compassion and love of Christ toward post-abortive women who continue to suffer in silent grief, guilt, and shame often for decades."

 

Here is another response to someone who knew of misguided pastors who advised or even pressured women to abort. Sadly, coercion can happen anywhere -- even in the helping professions. The influence of trusted family advisers or experts, especially in church ministries, can become a tipping point for individuals, couples or families already in crisis:

" ... when pastors learn of the after-effects of abortion, post-abortion stress syndrome, they will be much more reluctant to see it as a solution.

 

"[A Bible study] provided great healing for me. My abortion was 25+ years ago. Don't wait as long as I did to seek healing. If nothing else, do it for your loved one so you can having a wonderful relationship with her as she grows up. God bless."

You can see the light of truth, hope and compassion on the rise as individuals, families, organizations and communities reach out in their own circles in whatever way each feels called.

Keep the flame burning in your church. Here are some resources and ideas to help:

Pro-Woman/Pro-Life Prayer Intentions (Use one, two, or more in church, prayer groups or as bulletin/newsletter items, etc. Share with leaders!)

Scripture Verses -- to encourage those facing challenging pregnancies or post-abortion issues.

List of Church Awareness Project Resources
List of Outreach and Project Ideas