Friday, February 16, 2007

Crisis Pregancy Centers

Time Magazine: "Two companies—Care Net and Heartbeat International—serve three-fourths of the crisis pregnancy centers in the U.S. Unknown and unaffiliated a few decades ago, such centers now outnumber abortion providers in the U.S."



Along with this graph, Time has produced a substantial, informative article about crisis pregnancy centers, entitled 1 Woman at a Time.

A couple of quotes:

"Hers is the new face of an old movement: kind, calm, nonjudgmental, a special-forces soldier in the abortion wars who is fighting her battles one conscience at a time."

"Much of the antiabortion movement remains focused on changing laws, tightening restrictions one by one, state by state. But Wood and her team talk of changing hearts. They are part of a whole other strategy that is more personal and more pastoral, although to some people it's every bit as controversial."

There is also some good material about the need for pro-life groups to use accurate information and righteous means in seeking to accomplish their goals. Jeff Hutchinson, senior pastor Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA), comes off very well in the article. Quote:
"I never would have said that the ends justify the means," he says. "But I know that was in my heart--if lying helps save a baby's life, that glorifies God." He has read some pregnancy-center brochures that he suspects are maybe shading the truth in the name of a larger good. "This whole process has reminded me that Jesus is not a Machiavellian," he says. "It really helps me trust the sovereignty of God. He's in control of who lives and dies. My effort is to serve folks, and the means I use matter. I have to glorify Jesus. The results are in God's hands."

Read the whole thing. And consider supporting organizations like CareNet and Heartbeat International.