The number is shocking when you think about it.  As many as 43% of women – or about 2 out of 5 – will have had one or more abortions by the time they leave their childbearing years. Can you imagine?  I don’t know what that translates to in terms of hard numbers, but it’s staggering to consider.

What breaks my heart the most about these women is the fact that so many suffer in silence.  In more than 17 years of pregnancy ministry, I have spoken literally to hundreds of women who have experienced an abortion at some point in their lives.  So many tell me similar things… I think about it every day… I’ve never told anyone… How could God ever use someone who killed her child?

Will it surprise you to know that most of those things have been said by women I met while speaking in churches?  There are countless women… and men… sitting in local churches who have a secret.  At some point, before or after they came to know Christ, they participated in an abortion.  Or two.  Or more.  And while they have confessed that as sin and know intellectually that they are forgiven, they are held captive by the shame and pain and isolation brought on by what feels like an unforgivable act.

At Hope Pregnancy Center, we know there is no sin too great for God to forgive, and no pain to deep for Him to heal. That is why we offer Hope for Healing. This post-abortion healing program is designed to help those who are hurting find true healing through an in-depth study of God’s word.  It’s in the arms of Christ that we find true healing and restoration.

This 8-week Bible study is the centerpiece of the Hope for Healing program.  Not only are we offering this resource, we are determined to take it to the places where people are suffering in silence – the local church.  So often, we have a sense that the church is not a safe place to be broken.  Yes, those new to faith are given much grace as God goes about the work of cleaning up their lives.  But so many of us mistakenly believe that once we’re in the faith, we should have it all together.  And to show otherwise feels terrifying.

We want to be part of changing that. Throughout 2011, our Hope for Healing team will be presenting our program in various local churches.  Our heart is to showcase the need and the possibility for healing, and remove barriers between those who are hurting and the means of their healing.  Our prayer is that many will find freedom from a shame that has held them in bondage.  Will you pray with us?  And if you are one of those captives, will you consider taking a step of faith toward the God Who longs to restore this broken place?  There is Hope for Healing.  Truly.

For more information on Hope for Healing for you or someone you love, contact Jennifer at JT.hopeforhealing@gmail.com.

At last, our new site is up and running! We are still fleshing out some of the content, which will be obvious with even a cursory look through the site. While there’s still some work to do, I’m really excited about this more interactive format. I hope you’ll visit us often!

So, why the name “Speaking Hope” for our supporter site? One, it was available! So many great names were laid aside because someone else already came up with them. But that phrase, speaking hope, really resonated with me the first time I saw it. It’s such a picture of what happens here at the center.

At the core of ministry is the desire to speak truth into the lives of those we serve. As believers in Christ, we long to see others reconciled to God through a life-changing encounter with Jesus, the Word made flesh.

This is true of us here at Hope Pregnancy Center. We are dedicated to sharing truth with our clients – truth about sexuality, truth about the sanctity of all human life, and the ultimate truth of God’s free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Each of those messages is really one of hope. In our sex-saturated culture, it is possible to choose purity. There is hope. An unexpected pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean a young woman’s life is over. There is hope. The stain of sin and its consequences are not permanent, this side of eternity. There is Hope – His name is Jesus.

Every day, our volunteers have the great privilege of speaking words of hope into the lives of those who are feeling hopeless. As we engage in the adventure called “ministry”, I invite you to join us. I’ll be faithful to share the victories and struggles we face. Perhaps you’ll be moved to pray for us and those we serve. Maybe you’ll want to get involved directly as a volunteer or donor. We’d be honored to partner with you.

Speaking HOPE,

Martha Evans

Executive Director