I have spent countless hours calling on HOPE and life supporters to lead with love. There is enough vitriol and hate in our world without our voices adding to that very destructive narrative. This isn’t easy, but it is worth striving for.
This calling or challenge from HOPE and others is working! We are beginning to see the fruits of our labor as patients flood our doors. Why do you think they are coming? Sure, they have a need to be met and are facing an unplanned pregnancy or a possible STD, but it is more than that. They are finding their way to HOPE because of the way they are treated by our staff, and, I believe, because of your prayers.
Thousands are lining up to stand with HOPE as we celebrate life and the Lord is using that as a vehicle to change hearts and minds. He is allowing us to be a part of something very special…something bigger than ourselves.
We often talk about seeing abortion clinics close. We put a great deal of effort in protesting or picketing. These actions are needed and I believe the greater pro-life movement must continue this work, but this work will be in vain if we are not also partnering with and supporting pro-life medical clinics. Standing with a pro-life clinic will allow that mom or dad in crisis to truly have a choice…what a novel idea.
I believe this is what’s happening in Knoxville. Many are tired of the societal narrative that says Christians and Conservatives are hateful, anti-choice demagogues. In response to these misrepresentations many are choosing to stand with HOPE and our patients. This stance doesn’t represent hate or anti-choice rhetoric. Instead it represents a populous that loves its fellow man.
This response is needed now more than ever. We see this day in and day out at HOPE as more men and women in crisis are making the call to our office and not the abortion clinic down the street. Some may explain this with marketing, but we know something much larger and greater is at work here. We absolutely market HOPE, but we also get on our knees and cry out to the Lord for His help in this life work.
I believe we are beginning to see the pendulum swing in the favor of life. It is making this turn because more and more understand that our actions, coupled with words, truly make a difference. It is not enough to stand for life with our voice alone…we must allow that stance to translate to action, and praise God this translation is happening!
We see this in our volunteers, our community and church partners, and our influx of new supporters/donors. We had a Banquet a couple of weeks ago where we raised over $160,000. This was truly an amazing feat as hundreds joined us to celebrate life. This dollar amount also is impressive because 29% of those that gave were first-time givers to HOPE.
This type of involvement encourages me because it proves that our model of caring and serving out of love is working. We have strong opinions on legislation and the business model the abortion industry offers, but these opinions return void if we are not moved to act. This movement to act is taking hold across the country and life is beginning to be given its proper place as the choice rather than the alternative.
We live in a very negative world, but believe me when I say that there is much to be thankful for and positive about in the life movement. We still have a mountain to climb, but the peak is in our line of sight and we believe fully that it will be reached in due time as we continue to lead with love and seek to serve our community!
posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center
