COVER STORY 29 January 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good news • South Florida Edition . s l - y - - a - Abundant life Beginning in 2025, Hope Women’s Centers is launching a new THRIVE program designed to walk alongside these women and men for the long haul by offering them group classes or one-on-one mentoring on adoption support, healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery, parenting development and life coaching. “Currently our patients can take nutrition classes with our patient advocates and receive a brand-new car seat upon completion, but we want to meet the holistic needs of the women we serve,” said Laura Slavich, THRIVE director and community relations coordinator. Hope will be using a national curriculum developed by Bright Course that incorporates a video component, assignments and discussion. “It’s going to take what we have been doing to the next level because we’re not just pro-life; we’re pro-abundant life,” said Slavich. They also look for opportunities to present the gospel, with permission. “Ideally, we want to be able to walk with these women every step of the way and get them connected with a church, so they’re not drifting about asking ‘how do I do this?’” she added. Hope also encourages men to participate in the process, specifically providing mentoring for fathers in the THRIVE program. While statistics show that 85% of the women facing an unplanned pregnancy who come to Hope for services end up choosing life, national CareNet data shows that if both the mother and father see the ultrasound of their baby, they choose life an astounding 97% of the time. Who do they serve? Last year, 2,800 patients received services at Hope Women’s Centers. So, who are the women they serve? “It’s the people next to you in church. It’s your neighbor. It’s your adult child. It’s your co-worker. She can be financially secure or financially insecure. She can be in college. She can be a graduate with a career. She could have children. She could be married or unmarried. You know her,” said Wright. Women have unexpected pregnancies all around us. A recent patient at Hope Women’s Centers, Stacy [last name withheld] said she felt very supported by the resources she was given. “They gave me clarity, direction and guidance. The encouraging words, support and prayer I received gave me peace of mind and helped me choose life.” Dorothy [last name withheld] said, “The ultrasound really solidified it for me. When I saw my baby’s heartbeat, it took my breath away! Seeing her heart beat and her tiny form on the ultrasound screen really made me feel like I was strong enough to do anything, and I knew that giving life to that baby was something I was going to do.” Sadly, this is not always the case. An estimated one in four women in the United States will have an abortion in their lifetime, according to the Guttmacher Institute. For women who are dealing with the emotional pain of an abortion decision they now regret, Hope Women’s Centers provides hope and healing through post abortive Bible study programs such as “Forgiven and Set Free” or “Surrendering the Secret.” Many have carried that secret for years, so “we want to offer hope and healing to those women too so that they don’t carry around any shame or guilt from their past decision.” Founding executive director of Hope Women’s Centers and a former national consultant and trainer for CareNet, Dottie Wobb has been in ministry with women most of her life, but she said, “There is something about the hand of God on the pro-life ministry that is extremely unique. He is present, and I could tell story after story of the choreography and the timing. His presence is palatable almost every day because it is life and death, and His heart for His daughters and His children is unique above and beyond any other ministry.” Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Churches around the country will celebrate the Sanctity of Human Life on Sunday, January 19, 2025. This annual event honoring God’s gift of life commemorates the many lives lost to abortion and solidifies their commitment to protecting human life at every stage. Andrew Coleman, pastor of Sheridan Hills Baptist Church plans to participate, saying he feels it’s important for the body of Christ to support life because God is prolife. “God created life in His image. The first commandment in the Bible was to fill the earth and subdue it. The first thing humans are told to do is procreate because this brings God glory… but Satan’s whole thing is to steal God's glory and destroy the image of God in every way possible, so it makes perfect sense that he is doing everything he can to distort what God has designed and what God has commanded.” Want to help? There are a number of ways that you, your church, school or business can help Hope Women’s Centers create a culture of life. Participate in a baby bottle boomerang campaign, filling baby bottles with cash, coins or checks during the months leading up to Mother’s and Father’s Day as support for the ministry. Your church can bless parents who have chosen life by hosting a baby shower with your church or small group. Hold a diaper drive or collect diaper bags filled with supplies for expectant mothers. Invite Hope Women’s Centers to speak at your church Give financially Volunteer Pray For more information on how you can help, visit friendsofhope.com For information on patient services, visit hopewomenscenters.com Bethel Worship Center The Bridge Church of SFL The Bridge Church Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Cathedral Church of God Christ Community Church Christ Covenant Church Christ the Rock Community Church by the Glades Church in the Glades City Rev Church Community Bible Church Community Christian Church Cooper City Church of God Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Coastal Community Church Faith Church First Baptist Fort Lauderdale First Baptist Church Oakland Park First Baptist Church Pompano First Baptist Church Weston First Christian Church Fort Lauderdale First Christian Church Wilton Manors First Presbyterian Coral Springs Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Grace Baptist Church Grace Christian Family Church Greenhouse Church Hollywood Community Church Hollywood Faith Christian Church Lighthouse Community Church Living Word Open Bible Church The Local Church Miramar Lutheran Church New Dawn Community Church New Hope Community Church New Life Baptist Church New Presbyterian Church New River City Church New Testament Baptist Church North Creek Presbyterian Church Oasis Church Olive Tree Congregation Parkridge Baptist Church Park Road Presbyterian Church Pines Baptist Church Plantation Baptist Church Plantation Community Church Rio Vista Community Church Riverside Church Sheridan Hills Baptist Church St. Paul Lutheran Church at Weston Temple Aron Hakodesh The Exchange Church Victory Life Church The Worldwide Christian Center SUPPORTING CHURCHES Hope Women’s Centers clients attended a Baby Shower hosted by The Local Church
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