by Terri Fox, Program & Events Specialist at Heartbeat International

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” - Ps. 71:20-21 

It's a privilege to be part of Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress. There’s a transformation that begins to unfold with each mom as she prepares and shares her personal story during orientation through to the final meetings with her congressional representatives and the closing lunch.

Three things caught my attention on this recent trip.

1. First, after spending the evening getting to know the moms and walking through their stories, I awoke in the night singing the song “Good Plans.”  The lyric, “He has good plans for me; so I will take heart in deserts and gardens...” speaks of how God has good plans for us no matter where we are on our journey. I thought about the good plans that are being revealed to these moms whether they are still walking through the desert or resting in the garden.

I knew that in a few short hours, these women, vulnerable and brave, would be sharing how a pregnancy center or maternity housing program helped her find the strength and courage she needed to say yes to the life she was carrying. She would talk of breaking generational cycles, and how not one life, but two lives had been saved.

2. Second was a sign in an elevator that read, “When flashing help is on the way.” I thought about the work of pregnancy centers and how they are beacons of hope and help as they shine in the darkness of this fallen world. And I thought about how God is always available, no flashing button required.

3. And third, I witnessed each woman display an increasing sense of honor, accepting the comfort of the Lord with every retelling of her story.

A spirit of gratitude penetrated my heart as I thanked God for the pregnancy help organization staff members, volunteers, board members, and donors, who are walking with these women into the restorative power of Jesus who is bringing them up to live out the good plans he has for each of them.

To learn more about this event and the stories of the brave women who joined us in D.C., click here.

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About the Author

Terri Fox has worked in administrative support, and management, has been a B&B owner, and held a real estate license. In 2011, she joined Heartbeat International as an office assistant, advanced to Grant Writer and Coordinator, and for a season served as Executive Assistant. Today, she serves as the Program and Events Specialist. Through her personal stories of loss and healing, she shares evidence of God’s love in all circumstances. Terri resides in central Ohio with her husband, Scott.

The Right to Life Death—the Rewriting of our Declaration of Independence

by Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, Representing Missouri’s 4^th Congressional District 2011-2023

Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, as of July 4, 2024, 56 brave, principled patriots mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor by signing the Declaration of Independence. They risked everything in doing so and many lost everything as a result. Why were they willing to sacrifice so much? Because their God-given rights were being taken away—the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Those three rights were worth dying for. They form the basis of our country’s greatness. They undergird our foundation of freedom, support our good and just laws, and inspire people all over the world.

Securing and preserving these rights has been the primary purpose of government—until now.

Their Fight Against Life

With some recent court challenges and changes in laws, disturbingly, we are seeing a government promoting and defending a “right to death” instead of a “right to life”. There are many examples:

Illinois passed a law barring crisis pregnancy centers from what they label “misinformation, deceptive practices, and misrepresentation” to inhibit their ability to protect life. (This was overruled in the courts.)

Colorado passed a law prohibiting the administering of medication to reverse abortions. This subjects employees to discipline before professional conduct boards, thereby jeopardizing their licenses.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) arbitrarily approved the timeframe for ‘safe’ administering of the abortion pill without full medical review, yet refuses to officially approve the usage of progesterone to stop abortions even though it has been used to prevent miscarriages for years.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued Heartbeat International and 11 New York pregnancy centers for promoting Abortion Pill Reversal treatment.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an injunction to stop pregnancy care centers from providing Abortion Pill Reversal services, thereby forcing women to abort their babies who do not want to end the life of their child.

Massachusetts has launched a $1 million taxpayer-funded propaganda campaign smearing pregnancy care centers in an attempt to keep women from accessing life-affirming care.

Pro-life activists are being targeted—and jailed—for speaking up for the right to life. Seventy-five-year-old Paulette Harlow recently received a sentence of two years in prison for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act by trying to save the lives of precious unborn children by blocking the entrance to a Washington, D.C., abortion facility.

And even private enterprise is discouraging the right to life. The Yelp website has come under fire for attaching consumer notices to profiles of pregnancy care centers, informing consumers that the centers “typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite” yet Yelp does not attach such notices to abortion facilities although they provide limited services other than abortion.

Our Founding Fathers would be heartbroken at this turn of priorities for our country. The definition of ‘freedom’ for many of today’s leaders is limited to a “freedom of death” while the “right to life” is trampled.

New Warriors Rising Up

America needs patriots today to once again hold out the truths embraced by our Creator—the ones championed by those courageous men and women in 1776. Our country needs warriors for life, people who will not be deterred by those forces who promote death, but who will carry the banner of truth—champions for the unborn.  America needs you.

Thank you for battling in the trenches every day for expectant mothers and their babies. Thank you for not giving up and never backing down. Thank you for preserving the greatness of America.

We are at a crossroads. As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” May this generation of Americans follow your lead and stand up for the foundational right to life embraced by our country’s Founders. May we ensure our God-given freedoms are not redefined, squelched, or snuffed out. May we preserve and protect the rights so hard fought for and secured by those who have gone before us. The lives of countless unborn children—and the future of our nation—depend on it.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
- Deuteronomy 30:19

In the face of adversity and challenges, take heart. You are part of a movement that stands on the shoulders of giants, carrying forward the principles that our nation was built upon. Your tireless efforts, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life are making a profound difference. Good things are happening because of you. Lives are being saved, hope is being restored, and the truth is being proclaimed. Together, we are upholding the right to life and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the freedoms our Founders fought so valiantly to secure. Keep pressing forward with courage and conviction. Your work is invaluable, and your impact is immeasurable.

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About the Author

Recently retired Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler represented Missouri's Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2023. She has been a long-time champion of pregnancy help organizations and now serves as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. She was recently featured on our Pregnancy Help Podcast to discuss "Maximizing Your Impact with Elected Officials".

by Amy Ford, Co-Founder and President of Embrace Grace

Did you know that when a sperm meets an egg, sparks fly? Literally! (I actually didn’t know about this until Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International, told me this past January!)

In 2016, researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago captured the miraculous moment that a sperm fertilizes an egg at the microscopic level. An explosion of zinc fireworks occurs when a human egg is activated by a sperm enzyme. Scientists say the spark's intensity indicates the egg's potential to develop into a healthy embryo.¹

Their discovery was nothing short of a breathtaking display of our Creator’s hand at work! 

We are a miracle! And we carry the Miracle-Maker inside of us everywhere we go: Jesus. 

Every year I ask God to download a focus for the year. Something to learn more about and set my heart on throughout the year. My word for this year is "spark."

Mark 5:21-34 describes the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She struggled for 12 years and spent all her money going from doctor to doctor. She was completely broke and the doctors could not help. She was depressed and had lost all hope...that is until she heard about someone named Jesus. When she heard about Him, she had just a spark of hope. That hope grew her faith to the size of a mustard seed. That spark gave her the courage to go find Jesus and reach for Him. 

I wonder how she heard. Did she hear the chatter of all the people surrounding Jesus in the town? Was she able to hear about His miracles before He even arrived or was that day the first time she had heard of Him? (She was likely treated as unclean by the community due to her condition and Levitical law at the time.) We don't know how she heard about Jesus, but when she did, she had a spark of hope!

The world desperately needs hope right now. Some men and women carry heavy burdens, have to make hard decisions and feel completely alone. There are women just finding out they are pregnant and are scared of their future with nowhere to turn; thinking about whether they feel the need to end the life of their child out of overwhelming hopelessness. But together we can light the world with hope.

If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, encouraging and speaking life into those around us, we have the potential to spark hope and inspire people to find Jesus and reach out to Him!

I read recently that the average person impacts around 10,000 people in their lifetime! That’s a lot of people! Are we influencing them in a good way or a bad way? Are we pointing them to Jesus? We all have a responsibility to carry the light inside of us and to shine. Being a spark isn’t just for pastors or leaders or just "other people" when the same Holy Spirit lives in all of us. We all have a responsibility to spark a flame that lights up the world! 

For those of you who need a little encouragement to step out of your comfort zone and spark those around you, just jump in! It’s such a fun adventure! We don’t have to just be spectators of the faith, but we can run the race God has for us and bring others along with us! 

Ways You Can Be a Spark: 

• Encourage those around you—even strangers
• Pay for someone’s groceries
• Leave an encouraging note for someone
• Reach out to an old friend
• Invite your client to a local church with an Embrace Grace group

There are unlimited ways we can be a spark of hope in the world! Let’s link arms in the Kingdom—not just be spectators of faith but doers of God’s Word! Every conversation we have, every interaction we experience, and everywhere we go to love with intention, can have a ripple effect of changing lives, legacies, and the world. Whether you’re a man or woman, introvert or extrovert, young or old, we all can be the spark that gives people hope. We have the power to inspire a spark in the hearts of those around us so that a flame is ignited around the world for Jesus!

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1. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-04-26/human-eggs-emit-zinc-sparks-at-moment-of-fertilization

Option Line: Find 24/7 Pregnancy Help
Bilingual pregnancy help, plus real-time connections to nurses for telehealth consultations and to Heartbeat’s 3,500+ pregnancy help organizations worldwide.
Use the zip code locator at OptionLine.org to identify local pregnancy help locations.

Maternity Housing Coalition
Find housing availability nationwide for women. Plus, stay up-to-date on the 40+ new maternity housing programs launching in the coming year through the Heartbeat network. 

Prenatal Diagnosis
Help families experiencing pressure to abort following an adverse prenatal diagnosis find life-affirming medical help 24/7 and personal support through local parent care coordinators.

Abortion Pill Rescue® Network
Direct those considering or who regret starting a chemical abortion to immediate medical help for Abortion Pill Reversal worldwide.

PregnancyHelpNews.com
Follow the latest news of global pregnancy help and stories of hope.

PregnancyHelpPodcast.com
Subscribe for updating and equipping in your pregnancy help work.

 

To stay connected with the life-affirming pregnancy help community, follow Heartbeat International on:

   

by Valerie Harkins, Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition of Heartbeat International

Maternity homes serve as powerful environments not only for the physical well-being of pregnant women but also for the intricate development of their unborn children's brains. Neuroplasticity, the brain's capability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, provides a fascinating lens through which to view the transformative potential of maternity homes. These homes offer residents a unique opportunity to catalyze neurodevelopment in both themselves and their children in utero through fostering new behaviors and skills.

In the realm of neuroscience, where the brain's adaptability is a cornerstone principle, maternity homes stand as beacons of hope and change. The residents, often facing challenging circumstances, are given a supportive and nurturing environment to cultivate new coping mechanisms, communication styles, and interpersonal skills. The significance of this goes beyond mere behavior change; it delves deep into the realm of brain restructuring. As residents practice these new behaviors consistently within the safe confines of the maternity home, they are actively carving out new neural pathways in their brains.

These newly formed neural connections are not transient but rather have the potential to become permanent fixtures in their cognitive architecture. By repeatedly engaging in positive behaviors, residents solidify these pathways, laying the foundation for lasting change. This process is particularly vital during pregnancy, as research suggests that a mother's emotional state can influence the development of her child's brain even before birth. Therefore, the benefits of cultivating a positive mental and emotional environment within maternity homes extend not only to the residents themselves but also to the neurological well-being of their unborn children.

The vision for residents of maternity homes should not be confined to their current circumstances but should encompass a future brimming with possibilities.

Envisioning these women as healthy, strong, sober, safe, and thriving individuals is not just wishful thinking but a scientifically grounded expectation.

The power of neuroplasticity equips individuals with the capacity to fundamentally alter their brain's structure and function, leading to profound and enduring transformations in behavior and cognition.

For maternity home workers who may at times feel disheartened or overwhelmed by the challenges their residents face, understanding the neuroscientific underpinnings of their work can provide a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Every interaction, every intervention, and every moment of support offered within the walls of a maternity home has the potential to spark a cascade of neurobiological changes in the lives of its inhabitants.

May we all take heart, that maternity homes play a pivotal role not just in providing shelter and support but in fostering neurodevelopment and promoting true lasting change. By recognizing the profound impact of neuroplasticity on behavior and cognition, we can appreciate the immense potential inherent in every resident who walks through the doors of a maternity home. Let us view these individuals not through the lens of their past struggles but through the lens of limitless possibilities for growth, resilience, and transformation.

by Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International

Yes, I know that Disney has veered from the wholesome family framework that made for such successes as Swiss Family Robinson, The Incredibles, and Pinocchio’s Geppetto. Indeed, much of their live-action material can hardly find even a single father figure worth emulating.

But there is one example that arises from the Star Wars universe.

The massive hit, The Mandalorian (especially season one), burst on the scene in 2019 with a new face, err, helmet, with Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, the title role. (Note: For the six of you who haven’t heard of the story at all, there are slight spoilers ahead.) The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter, a profession not known for its genteel manners and soft people skills.

The storyline finds the Mandalorian on a bounty hunt for a particular creature whom the world soon knows only as “Baby Yoda.” (If I need to explain who Yoda is, you should just stop reading now and watch and come back after you watched Star Wars movies 5, 6, 1, 2, and 3, in that order.)

The cuteness factor of baby Yoda captures hearts of all kinds, including that of the grizzled bounty hunter, Din Djarin, the Mandalorian. For the entirety of the first two seasons of The Mandalorian, Grogu is referred to as “the child.” Masterfully rendered through puppetry and computer graphics imagery (CGI) the character evokes powerful aspects of a child. We only learn, later, that baby Yoda is named Grogu.

What follows is the Mandalorian’s transformation from bounty hunter to an unexpected father figure for Grogu, a.k.a. baby Yoda. This includes integrating into the clan-like culture of Mandalore. “You are a clan of two” the Armorer of the warrior race declares.

Just like some of the dads we encounter in our pregnancy help outreach, the Mandalorian is called to take up a mantle he did not plan on. He’s uncomfortable and even clumsy in how he steps into the role. But soon the call to protect and provide is stronger than what even his own culture has taught him. “Wherever I go, he goes,” says Din Djarin casting aside the lone wolf nature of his bounty hunter persona.

Dads are called to be providers and protectors of their children. Father’s Day is a time to celebrate that call and the efforts all fathers make toward that high and lofty aspiration. Some do so better than others. All dads pale in comparison to the unconditional love of our Father in Heaven (Jeremiah 31:3).

Of course, dads are not just those who contribute to the genetics of a baby. They are those who take up the mantle of being involved in the life of a child. Along with being a birth father and everyday dad from that moment, fathers arise through adoption or even mentorship. Fatherhood happens in traditional and blended families. Living under the same roof or actively engaged at a distance.

Men demonstrate fatherhood with intentional activities and exemplary actions. In that way, the Mandalorian demonstrated fathering for the "child.” Our Father in Heaven surely inspired the catchphrase for the show, “This is the way.”

by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

We all know that the world is ablaze with debate and fury on the issue of abortion. Unfortunately, that blaze is also occurring in the highest halls of government. And, nowhere is that more apparent than in the European Union, its Parliament, and its Court. On the one hand, the European Parliament voted in a directive that surrogacy can be a form of reproductive exploitation and human trafficking. That is great news.

On the other hand, the EU Parliament also recently voted in favor of including access to abortion as a fundamental right in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. From the podium, hard-left French MEP Manon Aubry attacked what she called "reactionaries" on the right to vote against the measure, stating, "No, the right to abortion is not a controversial issue. It is a fundamental freedom. No, the right to abortion does not kill. On the contrary, it saves lives. And while you are quietly attacking it here in the European Parliament, [women] can count on us. We'll be with you all the way."

Fortunately, that vote is largely symbolic. The resolution is non-binding, and a full-fledged right to abortion access would require the backing of all 27 member states to be included in the EU's charter. But symbols have meaning. We need to be aware of our times and interpret them rightly.

Upcoming Summit

At the upcoming European Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit, Heartbeat is pleased to welcome attorney Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, Legal Counsel with ADF International, based in Vienna, Austria. He will draw upon his experience to discuss the most recent resolutions from the EU Parliament and their potential impact on pregnancy help centers in Europe. (Of course, we will also host speakers on fundraising, client services and center management.)

Soon, you can sign up to attend the EPHL Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on September 19-21,2024. Registration will open June 1, 2024. The registration is free for affiliates. If you need to affiliate, or re-affiliate, you can affiliate here  for $70.00USD. If you are not affiliated, the cost for registration and meals is $195.00 USD per person.

About Attorney Guillermo A. Morales Sancho

Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, PhD, serves as legal counsel, Europe, for ADF International in Vienna, Austria. He is a lawyer specializing in constitutional and human rights law and conducts legal advocacy in Europe to promote and protect parental rights, free speech, children’s right to life, as well as freedom of conscience and religion.¹

Your Role In Adversity

Awareness of the times in which we live can be the starting point at which we are reminded of these core truths:

- Unity: Discover why unity matters at such a time as this. This movement is bigger than any one of us. We must work together and stand strong against those who work so hard to break us apart.

- Peace: Remember your source of peace.

- Commitment and intentionality: At the core, this is a daily practice to remain committed to the mission and intentional in what you do.

Adversity is an opportunity we can seize to deepen our faith. The political endeavors to enshrine abortion into law around the world should propel us to remember our mission, unite in prayer and intercession (just as Paul and Silas chose to pray in their darkest moments), and focus vertically, keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord.

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1. More information can be found here: https://adfinternational.org/our-team/guillermo-a-morales-sancho

by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

And, that’s a wrap for Heartbeat International’s 2024 conference, held in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 23-26. What a conference it was! It was our most well-attended conference yet, with over 2,000 persons attending in person and virtually (and counting, as our virtual conference continues). We had 14 nations represented and 48 internationals attended. If you were not able to attend, we missed you and hope you will consider attending next year’s conference.* 

Fortunately, even though the Heartbeat staff and attendees are all back in their seats at life-affirming organizations across the globe, the thematic call, United for Life, continues. In case you were not able to attend either the in-person or virtual conference, our key verse was Philippians 2:2, "...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose." We recently published an issue of Heartbeat Around the World on the call and need for unity. However, as we know, God’s word is timeless and ever-fresh. At this conference, it really struck me afresh that we are called to unity in many aspects.

We are called to be united in our...

• minds
• hearts
• spirits
• souls—including the outward expression of our purpose

Unity is an intentional, wholehearted, and whole-life effort to love our God, our neighbors, our clients, and our fellow life-affirming co-laborers with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Sometimes, we can focus so much on the mission that we forget that love is at the very heart of our mission, and without love, our mission may very well sound like a clanging cymbal. Let us have the same love. Or, we can hyperfocus on the specific aspect of the life-affirming movement that we think our hyperfocus should be everyone’s hyperfocus. The life-affirming movement is multifaceted, and each of us is called to know our specific calling and our place on the "wall." As we pursue like-mindedness, the same love, unity in spirit and purpose, we will see God’s purposes and His glory cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.

Speaking of God’s glory, take a look at this video of the Parade of Nations, as Heartbeat’s 97 affiliated nations’ flags were on display for God’s splendor.

*If you think you might be interested in attending next year’s conference and require a VISA to attend, do not wait until next year to get your VISA appointment. Heartbeat can send you an invitation to next year’s conference that you can take to your interview. As always, the letter is not a promise by Heartbeat to pay for expenses of registration, accommodations, or travel. It is to be used only for purposes of the VISA interview.

by Brooke Myrick BSN, RN, LAS, Healthcare Team Manager

Year after year nursing is named one of our nation's most trusted professions. What qualifies a nurse as trustworthy? A nurse is committed to putting others before themselves to provide the best care for those under their supervision. While nursing is a career developed to provide care to the ill and injured, during pregnancy help, it is vastly more. It is a call to a mission.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

As a nurse in pregnancy help, you have accepted the call to proclaim the good news to those in need, and to proclaim freedom to those who feel they are in dire situations pleading for a way out. Through the name of Jesus, many women and men are released from a darkness that has held them captive. Many will choose life for their baby after meeting with you, a pregnancy help nurse. Those who undergo the devastation and heartache of a pregnancy loss will return to you for healing resources, comfort and support. At times those who have made an abortion decision will also turn to you when they begin to grieve and start the journey of seeking forgiveness and recovery.

The pregnancy help nurse is trusted by those she cares for as she provides unwavering love, care and support.

This mission is not always easy. It requires daily commitment and renewal.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

This mission requires bravery and courage each and every day because it involves a battle for life today and for eternity. To continue in your role as a pregnancy help nurse, the mission must be fully understood and accepted. The mission is to remain faithful and obedient in sharing medical and spiritual truths in love while simultaneously, fully letting go and trusting God with the results and outcomes. A total dependence on the Author and Giver of life is required.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, and participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4

With each client encounter, nurses in pregnancy help make an active choice to—in humility—count those they are serving as more significant than themselves. You welcome her without judgment. You listen to her story. You give your time and energy. You earn her trust. You offer medical and spiritual truths in love. You seek to meet her needs through your organization and community resources. You offer prayer. You share the good news of Jesus.

As you accept the pregnancy help nurse mission every day, you make a difference today and for generations to come.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer o' mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Am I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6