Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Kerry Jepson, the CEO of Assure Pregnancy Clinic. We had a discussion about the pro-life movement, current legislation, and also about practical ways that men and women can participate in bringing support and help and advocacy to unborn babies. Many of us who are pro-life want to help in practical ways. In this post, I will summarize the conversation I had with Kerry by pointing to three tangible ways that each of us can be involved in caring for unborn babies.
Empower and Support Women
The abortion debate is often framed as a women’s issue. The typical narrative is that pro-choice people want to empower women by allowing them to make their own choices about their reproductive health, while pro-life people want to control women by making them have the children they conceive. The irony of this is that the frequent message from Planned Parenthood to a pregnant woman is, “You cannot handle this, so you need to have an abortion.” On the other hand, the message a pregnant woman receives from a place like Assure Pregnancy Clinic is, “You are a precious and valuable person created in the image of God.
You can do this, and we will help you.” Take a moment and consider which of these messages is actually more empowering and “pro-woman.” Whether it is with your daughters, your nieces, your sisters, your friends or co-workers, or other women in your life, consider how you can communicate respect and support to the women God has brought into your life. Help to communicate to them that they can face uncertainty in their future (or present) because they are valuable image-bearers and because God (and you) will be there to help support them.
Pray for Our Government
There is much more to being pro-life than voting for legislation and pro-life politicians. That said, there are times when significant policies are in the mix. On March 20, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of NIFLA (National Institute of Family and Life Advocates) vs. Becerra. The case revolves around a California law that would require crisis pregnancy centers (such as Assure) to post information about where women can go to get free abortions.
In essence, the law our require clinics to advertise abortion, even when this is the very thing they are looking to prevent. Please be in prayer about this upcoming decision, as it impacts both freedom of speech and also the ability of crisis pregnancy centers to fulfill their calling in the best way possible.
Support Your Local Pregnancy Clinic
At LBF Church we support Assure Pregnancy Clinic in Fontana through financial giving and volunteers. These centers provide free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as free counseling. On top of this, the centers give away baby clothes and train new parents through parenting classes. Each day women in crisis walk through the doors of these clinics and receive powerful support and help in their time of need. Consider how you can give, donate, volunteer, and pray for your local center.
In all of this, remember that this is not primarily a political issue. This is primarily a gospel issue. Jesus Christ left behind his comforts in order to rescue us in our time of need. Consider God’s calling for you as you seek to use what He has given you in order to help bring rescue and support to those who are most in need of help.
