We pray over our Conference Theme each year. We come together as a team to discuss what word or phrase captures the moment and then what scripture will complement it well to communicate the message we want to convey. It is a fun process!

As you may have seen, this year our conference theme is "BREAKTHROUGH." We chose this word because it allows us to both celebrate the "Breakthrough" we had with the Dobbs case while understanding there are still more barriers we must "Break Through" in order to truly live in a culture that embraces life.

Let's unpack this a bit.

We definitely have so much to be thankful for as a movement recently. In September 2021, Texas put the Heartbeat Law into effect which received a lot of criticism from the media and pro-abortion activists. The law was challenged very aggressively and with a lot of money. This moment was a "Breakthrough" for our country as the law was continuously upheld and other states began crafting language to mimic it in order to protect lives in, what we refer to now as, Life States. Since that bill was signed into law last September, it is estimated that more than 53,000 lives have been saved.

That moment reignited the excitement for the pro-life movement and carried us to the Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v. Wade, taking the abortion issue back to the states. Another "Breakthrough!"

Since June 24, 2022, we have seen various groups in a variety of states work to pass more laws to protect the most vulnerable. We've witnessed pro-life politicians speak more boldly than ever before about the sanctity of human life and how necessary it is to stand up for the most basic of all rights - the Right to Life. 

We have also seen pregnancy centers in the news more today than ever before. People are learning about this amazing network of care that exists nationwide to serve women and provide families with the compassionate care and practical support they need to help them through tough times. News outlets are sharing these encouraging stories of the life-affirming hope received at pregnancy help organizations. (See here, here, here, and here for a few, and feel free to share them!) Being on the Communications side of the pregnancy help movement, I can tell you THAT is a "Breakthrough!"

And yet... 

In spite of these great many positives, there is still so much to do! There are many barriers that we still must "Break Through."

Big Tech has censored and suppressed pregnancy centers, limiting a woman to find abortion as her only option on sites like Google and Facebook. Abortion States are enshrining abortion into states' constitutions. And more than 70 life-affirming pregnancy help organizations were vandalized and attacked this summer by extremists angry at the world with no condemnation by pro-abortion politicians, who have taken the opportunity to push their agenda against pro-life work. The abortion industry is fighting against any and all abortion regulations or restrictions while making egregious claims against the work of pregnancy help. 

We knew all along that if Roe v. Wade was overturned, the work of the pregnancy help movement would expand. Thankfully, we already span the nation (and world!) and are ready to serve. We continue to look onward (wait, that was last year's Conference theme...) as the battlefield is shifting. 

Throughout the Bible, God continues to give us reminders of His provision and constant hope. Our Conference scripture this year conveys this beautifully, it is from Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

With His guidance, we will continue to "Break Through" the barriers that come up while remembering to celebrate the many "Breakthroughs" we have witnessed this year. 

We are grateful to work with you in this mighty mission for life! And we look forward to seeing y'all in Louisville, Kentucky at the Heartbeat Conference.

I will leave you with this song that encourages me and makes me think of our Conference each time I listen. Do you hear the "Breakthrough"?