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"?

 .          .          .          .          .

Note: all times listed in the schedule are Mountain Time.
Each day will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET/9:30 a.m. MT

Click here to download and print a paper schedule of the Virtual Conference workshops!

.          .          .          .          .

A big thank you to our Sponsors for helping keep Conference costs low for those working in pregnancy help.

Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing of Heartbeat International, shares three valuable resources for Pregnancy Help Organizations (PHOs):

Pregnancy Center Truth – Pregnancycentertruth.com

A resource created to refute claims made against pregnancy centers “in an effort to ditch the rhetoric and stick to the facts..."

Pregnancy Help News – Pregnancyhelpnews.com

A website that reports on “current events, happenings, and milestones,” as well as inspirational stories within the pregnancy help community for PHOs around the world.

Pregnancy Help Podcast – Pregnancyhelppodcast.com

A collection of conversations and interviews with prominent pregnancy help experts around the world.

Save and subscribe!

Save Pregnancy Help Podcast as your favorite podcast.

Subscribe for Pregnancy Help News updates.

The past few years have shown how resilient the pregnancy help movement is. 

In 2020, we dramatically shifted our efforts to serve pregnant women and families during a worldwide pandemic. Our VISION never changed, though our processes did.

In 2021, we celebrated the frontline workers of pregnancy help, recognizing the perseverance and passion that kept our doors open while many closed because pregnancy help is ESSENTIAL. 

In 2022, we saw how states pushed more aggressive abortion laws, and we understood that our work was even more important. In response, we pressed ONWARD, adapting our services to meet the new needs of women.

In 2023, we celebrated the BREAKTHROUGH we had with the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. With the issue of regulating abortion returned to each state, we knew there were new barriers we must BREAK THROUGH. 

As we worked through these years of dramatic change, it has become more and more evident that to truly become a culture that values life as a movement, we must be intentionally UNITED FOR LIFE.

We were each called into the pregnancy help movement to save lives from the horrors of abortion. While our methods may differ, our mission is the same! We embrace this as our 2024 Annual Conference theme, remembering we are all UNITED FOR LIFE. 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. Divided, we fall, but united, we stand! 

"...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose." Philippians 2:2

Learn more about the 2024 Annual Conference.

Did you know that you can utilize a guided learning plan for free? As a Heartbeat Affiliate, this complimentary feature is included as part of the benefits of partnering with us. With Academy, you are in charge of your progress and training. Accessing a learning plan is easy!

Step 1. Log in to your Academy Dashboard.

Step 2. Select the button "Enroll in a Learning Plan."

Step 3. Make one or more selections and click, “Save Changes.”

It will automatically save your selections and populate your Dashboard page.

To return to your Dashboard, select “Dashboard” from the top left menu.

Step 4. There will be a new section titled, “Learning Plans” with your selection(s).

Click on a selection to be taken to a catalog of options about your role(s).

On this page, you can view all the available competencies we have about the role you selected. Select “Edit” to find the course linked to each competency. The progress bar towards the top will show you how many you’ve already received out of the number available.

In just four simple steps, you can begin a Learning Plan designed just for you. Whether you are in leadership, development, client care, or medical, we have training and resources for you.

TIP: Keep this page bookmarked for future staff and volunteers of your pregnancy help organization!