Over the past few months I have been intentional with my communication to you on the goings on in our society, culture, and political realities surrounding the abortion and life issue in light of the June 24th overturning of Roe. Today’s correspondence is in relation to that and the recent letter of seven current United States Senators. These seven are adamantly pro-abortion and stand in direct opposition to the work of places like HOPE. Through this letter to Heartbeat International, a large umbrella organization working with pregnancy centers, and their comments in recent interviews, these senators have not shied away from their anti-life position and desire to see pregnancy centers closed.
Throughout this letter and the corresponding TIME magazine article, places like HOPE are maligned, mischaracterized, and questioned for the services we provide. Services, mind you, that are free, provided by licensed medical professionals, and offered with love and compassion for our neighbors.
Since the time of this letter’s release I have been in consistent correspondence with Congressmen, Senators, and local officials to discuss our work and the important role places like HOPE play in communities in every corner of our society. I was encouraged at the support offered from these leaders and I trust they will step up and defend pregnancy centers in Tennessee and beyond from attacks like this one and the others that are sure to come in the future.
Over the past few days I have also had a number of conversations with pregnancy center leaders across the country. I admire these men and women and I value their friendship and partnership in this work. I do want you to know, however, that some leaders in this work are growing weary as politicians and abortion extremists attack our work. Serving in the way our staff and volunteers serve is taxing in and of itself, but coupling that with our current cultural moment we have is a recipe for burnout and exhaustion. So, please join me in praying for our movement and the work being done here in Knoxville, around our state, and all across this country.
I have been reminded this week of Martin Luther’s famous quote when some were seeking to force him to recant his views, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” The political and cultural environment we find ourselves in today is designed to create exhaustion and fatigue. The recent letter from senators and the physical attacks on our organizations simply seek to silence the work of pregnancy centers. My response to that is a simple one…Here I stand, I can do no other. This response and strength doesn’t find its genesis in my own will or abilities. Instead, this strength is founded in Scripture, and I was reminded of this earlier this week by a friend that is co-laboring with us in this work. Galatians 6:9 says it best, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
The work being provided on Painter Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee is worth the effort. We have been an instrumental part of this community for 25 years and we have no intention of stopping or slowing down. These attacks on our work will ultimately fail and only strengthen our resolve to serve moms in need. Join us today as we meet this cultural moment head-on by saying, Here I stand, I can do no other.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we seek to stand for those in need. I am truly honored to serve and lead in this time and for this moment.
posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director
