More than a Mantra...

Pro-Life.  It’s one of those words that we like to be identified with. Of course we are pro-life!  
 
But pro-life is more than pro-birth, isn’t it? At the very least, being pro-life means that we have a strong conviction that life begins at conception and that the unborn child is highly valued and to be protected! This conviction is why Mid-Cities Women’s Clinic began decades ago and has helped tens of thousands of children be born. We’ve watched this take place and rejoiced. 
 
Did you know that the overturning of Roe v. Wade (the Dobbs Amendment) has meant that many, many more children will be born and that those people who are pro-life will have opportunity to celebrate, encourage, and support those new (and often very young) families begin their new life? The church (that’s us) who has been there to help protect unborn children can also be there to support these newborns and their moms.  
 
What does it mean to be pro-life immediately beyond the birth of a child?  It means we encourage and support these courageous moms who face financial and circumstantial challenges and decide to have the child. Some make the decision to raise their child as a single parent and others make the decision to place their child for adoption - all the while weathering the storm and propaganda of a culture that does not value that child’s life.  
 
What can the church do to minister well to these courageous moms?  
 
We can reach out to and encourage them. “Embrace Grace” is a ministry that lovingly and relationally reaches out to the moms-to-be who face these decisions and encourages and loves them in practical and supportive ways. These moms-to-be are given the gospel and discipled well. Those who minister to these moms are literally being the hands of feet of Christ. Cross City has an Embrace Grace group, and we’re seeing God do some really special things.  I’m thankful to be a part of a church that reaches into our community in this way.  
 
We can come alongside them as they come into the church and explore their future here. Most young moms-to-be have not imagined that a church would invite them in and show loving support. We have an incredible opportunity to demonstrate the love of Jesus toward them - and celebrate life with them. 
  
We can celebrate this aspect of being pro-life! Ministry like this needs to be known and shown. I hope to tell you many stories in the days ahead that will encourage you and inspire you to see more and more what being pro-life is about.
 
Then, what about moms who choose life for their baby and believe it’s best for their child to be adopted? Additionally, there are many children from difficult situations who need a family to care for them. To be pro-life is to make sure we’re caring for these children, too!
 
This is why encouraging fostering and adoption in our church is so crucial. Foster and adoptive parents are to be celebrated! They see a need that they sense a call to meet and step up with courage and conviction to be a very, very big part of the solution. Every fostering and adoptive parent I’ve met senses this very personal call from the Lord - and they commit their lives to fulfill it well! The closer you get to these families, the more you admire their ministry of love.
 
Pro-life. It’s much, much more than a mantra. It’s way of life and ministry.