This piece by Wendy Banister Bonano, executive director of Gateway Women's Care was originally published by our colleagues at North Carolina Family Policy Council
“Deidra” sobbed uncontrollably as she explained why she had to have an abortion. Deidra is a 19-year-old freshman at North Carolina State University, the first in her family to go to college, and has her sights set on being a Physician Assistant. She loves the Lord, is active in her church and her parents have raised her well, teaching her God’s standards of purity and abstinence until marriage. Despite all that, Deidra and her boyfriend went “too far” and now, here she is at Gateway Women’s Care, scared to death and too afraid to tell her parents she’s pregnant. As this intelligent, capable young woman sits in front of me, the words tumbled out…
I’m so scared to tell my parents I’m pregnant. I have to have an abortion because my parents can never know I’ve been having sex; they would be horrified and I’d rather go through an abortion than have to face them and disappoint them.
Unfortunately, Deidra’s response is extremely common. It is heartbreaking to witness the genuine fear and indecision that many Christian girls experience when faced with an unplanned pregnancy and how it drives girls to NOT seek help from those who love them the most—their parents. These fears are why “good” Christian girls abort and why their parents will most likely never know.
I imagine you are thinking, “This would never be my daughter.” I beg you to think again. More often than not, “good” Christian girls in relationships are determined to abstain from intercourse and therefore are not actively using contraception. Therefore, it takes just one poor decision by either your son or daughter to create an unplanned pregnancy, regardless of all you’ve taught them. Your child’s absence from home, if they’re living away at college, makes an abortion decision easier to hide from you.
How then should we talk to our children about sex, purity, unplanned pregnancies and abortion? More than ten years of experience at Gateway Women’s Care has shown me that quite often there’s a piece missing from the “talks” parents have with their daughters and sons. Without knowing it, we are leaving no doors open for our children to come back to us should they stray. We are making good, strong cases for purity until marriage and yet neglecting to communicate the message of grace: that we are there for them no matter what, and should they make a mistake—in this case, get pregnant—it is safe for them to come to us for help and support.
Read the whole article at The Family Beacon.
All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in.
Until the day she saw something that changed everything, leading Abby Johnson to become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in America.
The Sanctity of Life Ministry of Bethlehem Baptist Church invites you to a showing of Unplanned
Sunday, February 9, 6pm, South Campus, 20700 Kenrick Ave, Lakeville
Learn more about this FREE showing at unplannedfilm.com and bethlehem.church/unplanned.
New Events with Dale Witherington, MFC's Director of Community Engagement
Dale will be speaking about Citizenship Worthy of the Gospel of Christ at Zumbro Community Church in Zumbro Falls on Wednesday, February 5th from 6-9 PM.
Description: What are the roles, duties, responsibilities and opportunities of mature followers of Jesus Christ to our communities, states and nation? What does the New Testament teach about Christians impacting and influencing our culture? How did the Apostle Paul use his Christian, Jewish and Roman to model and advance the gospel of Jesus Christ? What lessons can we learn and apply in today’s post-modern, post-Christian America? This presentation is directed to every person claiming to be a follower of Jesus regardless of race, culture or denomination.
Dale will also be speaking about Combating Explicit "Comprehensive" Sex Education at Sunday, February 2nd 10:30 AM -12 PM (adult Sunday School class) at Willmar Assembly (3812 Abbott Dr.).
Description: "Comprehensive" sex education is a dangerous concept which introduces adult concepts in the classroom, sometimes using graphic/pornographic materials. Dale will speak about efforts to combat this movement with legislation in Minnesota.
Sexual Identity and Labels: A Testimony by Rachel Gilson
As the Church learns how to better love the LGBT+ community while holding to a biblical sexual ethic, it’s critical to listen.
Rachel Gilson has been sharing her personal story of serving Jesus as a same sex attracted believer for over three years. Rachel serves on the leadership team of Theological Development and Culture with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) and Campus Staff for the Northeast Region specifically in LGBT+ engagement.
Join us for a morning with Rachel as she shares how she met Jesus as a student at Yale University and how meeting him changed her understanding of her same-sex attraction. She will also speak to sexual identity and labels. Does it matter if someone identifies as a gay Christian or a same-sex attracted Christian? How does self-identification impact the goal of sanctification and pursuit of holiness?
This event is being offered in two different locations, one in North Minneapolis and the other in South Minneapolis. Rachel Gilson will cover the same content for both events.
Abby Johnson Defied Planned Parenthood. Are You Ready to Hear Her Story in Person at Our Annual Dinner? (May 11)
Registration is now open for our biggest event of the year - our annual dinner with pro-life crusader Abby Johnson. Abby's work with And Then There Were None, a charity that helps abortion workers leave the industry, has been hugely successful. And her new initiative, Love Lines, gives financial support to women who choose LIFE.
But her story began in 2009, when she was a clinic director for Planned Parenthood and had to witness, for the first time, an ultrasound-guided abortion. With horror, she saw for the first time what abortion really is: the killing by dismemberment of a baby. She walked away and has been working to save lives ever since. Her book Unplanned was turned into one of last year's most surprising hit movies.
And she's coming to Minneapolis in May. Will you join us for our Annual Dinner with Abby Johnson? Click below to register now! We expect this event to fill up, so make sure to register as soon as you can.
Give your Teen the Gift of Leadership - Registration Now Open!
Register your teen early and SAVE $50!
LEAD is a project of Minnesota Family Council designed to equip the next generation. During this one-week program, teens are challenged with interactive Biblical worldview sessions, and real-world simulations to learn critical thinking, clear communication, and gain teamwork skills to lead with confidence.
July 26th–July 31st, 2020
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
Registration: $499
Financial Aid Available
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Educating and Equipping Parents on the Transgender Trend
Get Your Copy of the Minnesota Parent Resource Guide!
The Parent Resource Guide sheds light on the consequences transgender ideas have on kids' lives, while equipping parents to play a positive role in creating a truly welcoming school community.
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same!
