Annetta Cooper, Jane Alexander, Rose Schumacher, Pam White

Each year at banquet, Pregnancy Resources takes a moment to highlight the exemplary service of an outstanding volunteer. This year’s Volunteers of the Year Award recipients are Jane Alexander and Rose Schumacher. Both Rose and Jane invest in their neighborhoods, in their home churches, and at Pregnancy Resources in Bella’s Boutique. For more than 20 years, each of these amazing ladies has offered compassion and kindness to new and expectant moms and their small children while providing cute clothing and other baby items. Jane and Rose both have a heart for our community, a deep love for Jesus, and a strong desire to serve others well. Their gentleness and faithful dedication are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations Rose and Jane!

This is a story that praises God and His amazing grace. It’s also a story about how the Lord uses Pregnancy Resources and how your generosity has changed my life.

Even though I was raised in a Christian home, in my 20’s, I encouraged and paid for multiple abortions. I knew that abortion was a sin and initial relief turned to deep shame and regret. Alcohol, drugs, and anxiety were a big part of my life. In my 30’s, I learned to manage the anxiety…allowing me to pursue a successful banking career. When I retired 4 years ago, I appeared to be the epitome of success. But a dark cloud hung over my life. I was disgraced and embarrassed about the abortions.

I told only one person, who dismissed it as nothing… and then carried that pain within for about 40 years… I searched and prayed for relief but felt there was no way that God could forgive me. I often laid awake for hours tossing and turning in agony.

Then one day, the Pregnancy Resources newsletter arrived in the mail. An article describing a program that serves men caught up in the tragedy of an abortion decision caught my attention. It took a few months for me to reach out, but when I finally did, everything changed.

The first night we met, we talked for a bit and then I took a deep breath, and I laid out my whole terrible tale. I could see the sorrow on the facilitators’ faces, but they quickly offered me love and understanding. I expressed my fear of dying and facing God. My sins were so horrible, how could I ever be forgiven? The men I met with assured me there was no sin that could not be forgiven, and that Jesus’s sacrifice was in our stead. They looked me in the eye and told me Jesus loves me.

That night I recall praying for forgiveness from the Lord. I felt a sense of relief and love, and every other positive sensation swell over me…the chains dropped off and the deal was sealed by the King. I have been saved, reborn, converted…take your pick. I now realized that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are real… and the Bible is literally true, too! I thank the Lord that He has been there all along. I wouldn’t trade my salvation for anything. All praise to my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Lance Heuer, Volunteer

I am a person that you, as a supporter of Pregnancy Resources, have helped. It was Wednesday when I got the phone call no mother wants. All my son could manage to say was, “There’s something wrong with the baby.” I dropped everything and headed out to join my son and daughter-in-law.

The news that day was bleak. The doctors said the diagnosis was fatal and in six hours abortion was offered three separate times. We were shattered, but our kids made it clear they wanted to do everything they could to guard, protect, and help their daughter, and my granddaughter, Evangeline, grow and come into this world.

Our kids faced a medical machine that embraces a culture of death for a less-than-perfect life. Many in the medical community did not understand and often asked, “Why are you bringing a broken baby into the world?” In the midst of persistent pressure, every day our kids gathered their courage and delivered the message that Evangeline had value and her life mattered.

During those difficult days, I held fast to Psalms 27:13-14, which says, “I would have despaired unless I believed I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart; Wait for the Lord.” I trusted this Biblical truth even when it was hard.

These were Critical moments – our kids named their first daughter Evangeline for a reason. Her name means “bearer of good news,” and she was and is a bearer of good news. Evangeline delivered her message that every life has value and worth.

We cherished her beating heart and her growth in the womb. We loved her and made memories, eating cupcakes to celebrate her and reading to her in the womb. As a family we prepared for her arrival even though we didn’t know how God would answer our prayers.

Evangeline arrived early and small, and we cherish the short 35 minutes that we were able to share with her this side of heaven. I look forward to the day when I will see her again in heaven whole and healed.

When you prayed for a struggling family walking a hard road, you were praying for moms and dads who face pressure from the medical community to abort less-than-perfect babies. You were praying for my family and for me.

Liz Ryan, Partner Development Coordinator