THE HEARTBEAT - Living Hope Pregnancy
Support Services
P.O. Box 1374 * 116 Premiere Plaza * Whiteville, NC 28472
January & February 2012
Dear
Partner in Ministry,“For
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)What a precious promise is contained in this verse – for the Pregnancy Care Center and for each person
who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ! The words affirm God’s sovereignty as we enter into a new
year. While we have no idea what is in store for us in 2012, our Lord knows and controls each detail of the coming days. The
verse also emphasizes HOPE, and we will soon be known as Living Hope Pregnancy Support Services. So many
of the women who come to us are without hope, and our prayer for them is that “the God of hope will fill them with all
joy and peace as they trust in Him, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13)In compiling
our statistics for 2011 I found some interesting trends. We had 639 client visits last year, the most ever.
That is not surprising, since we expanded our hours of operation from eight hours to twelve hours per week.
What is really amazing is the number of pregnancy tests we provided. After only performing 13 from
January through June, we documented 76 from July through December! Obviously, word got out that we now
offer free pregnancy verification, which can be used to apply for Medicaid for Pregnant Women. I am most excited about the growth in our
Earn While You Learn Program. In 2010 we had 17 graduates, while in 2011 we had 34! Every
one of those 34 expectant moms had the opportunity to be mentored and encouraged over a period of months by a godly Christian
advocate. Each graduate uses her baby bucks to purchase either a BabySuite portable play yard or an infant
car seat, along with a big basket of supplies for her baby. Needless to say, this is a very expensive program
for us to operate. Please read about our “Adopt-a-Grad” initiative later in the newsletter.All of the ministries of the Center are
merely means by which we can present Christ to clients. Thus, it was very disappointing that we had only
4 first-time professions of faith and 4 recommitments during 2011. This is a drastic drop-off from previous
years, and I think I know the reason. As Deresa or I present the plan of salvation to each new client,
we have become much more frank in telling sexually-active single women that they must be willing to change their behavior
if they surrender to Christ. However, as our culture continues to devolve, there is increasing resistance to the concept of
sexual integrity. “Everyone is doing it,” so how can it be wrong? Please
pray that we will continue to be bold in presenting the truth and that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of our clients.God has been faithful to us over the past
year, and we are grateful that you have been a channel of His blessing to us. We couldn’t continue
to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ and His plan for sexuality, marriage and the family without your support.
May God bless you throughout 2012.
In His
service,
Janet E. McPherson
Thank you!
We
are so grateful for the many donations which have been received during the months of November and December. Kenneth
and Barbara White blessed us with 40 hand-knitted caps. St. Paul’s United Methodist Women and the
Whiteville Junior Women’s Club donated baby supplies. Agape Pregnancy Support Services (Fayetteville),
In His Hands Ministry (Smithfield), Whiteville Women’s Civic League, several Sunday School classes and many individuals
made generous monetary contributions. God bless each of you!
Sustaining Donors
The following churches and couples support the Center on a
regular basis. They truly sustain this ministry and we thank God for them:Grace Bible Church, Lake Waccamaw First Baptist Church, Living Word Church, Missionary
Alliance Church, Piney Forest Baptist Church, Porter Swamp Baptist Church, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. &
Mrs. John P. Birkedal, Dr.& Mrs. C. Randolph Matthews, and Mr. & Mrs. Craig Sasser.
Our Needs
Your PRAYERS
Winter maternity clothes, all
sizes
Receiving
blankets,
Diapers,
Pull-ups
, Wipes
Baby bath,
Baby
lotion,
Pacifiers,
Bottles
New NB or size 0 – 3 mos. onesies,
sleepers,
gowns and outfits for our EWYL graduates
Gently used winter clothing,
sizes NB – 3T Ink jet cartridges (HP 60), black and color
“Adopt-a-Grad”
As was mentioned earlier, our Earn While You Learn program
is very expensive to operate. In order to defray the cost, we are seeking partners who would be willing
to “adopt” one of our graduates. Adopting groups or individuals could have an “open adoption”
in which they actually meet their graduate, or could choose to have a “closed adoption”. In
either case, they will supply some or all of the items which the graduate purchases with her baby bucks. BabySuites
and car seats are $50 each (we order these at a discount from Evenflo and keep a supply on hand.) A complete
layette costs approximately $80. You can even assemble the layette yourself (we will provide a list of
the items which are included). Please call the help-line at 642-2677 for further information or to arrange
an “adoption”.
Volunteer Needed
We need at least one woman to
volunteer as a receptionist on Mondays from 3 – 7. If you feel called to serve God in this way, please
call Janet at 642-2677. On
the job training will be provided. Financial information about this organization and a copy of
its license are available from the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at 1-888-830-4989. The license
is not an endorsement by the State.
