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Babies and Pregnancy Centers Make Cover of TIME Magazine
by Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., Heartbeat President
 After nearly 40 years of tireless ministry, pregnancy centers are finally being noticed
by mainstream media.
TIME’s February 26 cover features a human hand holding four life-size models of the
developing baby. The feature article is on pregnancy centers, “The Abortion Campaign
You Never Hear About.”
Heartbeat International is mentioned more than once, along with our sister organizations
in the alternatives to abortion movement, and our Option Line phone number
(1-800-395-HELP) is published for four million readers!
Focusing primarily on the pregnancy help medical clinic, abortionist, and church
community in Asheville, North Carolina, the article concludes that reducing the number
of abortions is a good thing. When mainstream media give this message, we should rejoice.
A close reading of the article, however, raises concerns. TIME’s subtitle begins to reveal
its bias: “Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Working to Win Over One Woman at a Time,
But Are They Playing Fair?”
The writer reinforces negative stereotypes used for years to discredit centers by leaving
the impression that some centers use inaccurate information on abortion’s effects and may
be involved in “manipulation” or “bait and switch” tactics.
In fact, all Heartbeat International affiliates have signed onto Our Commitment of Care.
These “voluntary industry standards,” adopted nearly 10 years ago, hold us to truthfulness,
accuracy, and openness in all center operations. 
Almost all the characters in Asheville are sympathetically portrayed: pregnancy center
personnel, the conflicted Christian pastor who leads the community in an effort to find“common ground” (after a member of his congregation was associated with clinic violence
several years ago), and the abortionist Lorrie, who will only give her first name because
of alleged threats.
The subtle danger of this article is that it “feels good.” Centers are well-intentioned,
no one wants to see women manipulated, abortionists want to reduce abortions, and
pastors are soul-searching. There are no “bad guys” in Asheville except the clinic bomber.
And what of the common ground that has been arrived at in Asheville? The first
is “to decrease abortions.” This appears to be the rallying cry for pro-abortion candidates
in the next elections who try to make the general public think this is a pro-life position!
The TIME reporter assumes everyone will agree that promoting birth control is the
best method of reducing abortion. But we know that this, and “safe sex” promotion,
are part of the cause of the large number of abortions, not the solution. This continues
to put vast amounts of money in the coffers of Planned Parenthood, the major provider
and promoter of abortion worldwide!
Articles like this may help us, but they may be part of a strategy to further divide us
and to blur the line between right and wrong. This would ultimately set back our efforts
to save lives and promote a culture of LIFE.
 Fetal Model Shows the Truth of
Human Development
Most abortions occur when
the fetus is between 10 and 12 weeks
of gestation. Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D.,
holding a model of a developing baby
at 12 weeks, says: “I have used this
fetal model in the pregnancy center
and I’ve seen it awaken a woman’s
maternal instinct to nurture and
protect her baby. I hope that the
models pictured on the cover
of TIME magazine are saving lives!” |
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Heartbeat Briefs Congress on Pregnancy Center Work
 Heartbeat International along with sister organizations Care Net and National Institute of Family and Life Advocates held a briefing
on Capitol Hill on March 13 for members of Congress and Congressional staffers from both major parties.
“After an onslaught of attacks against pregnancy centers, there is a great need to be proactive and explain to Congressional members and staffers the importance of the life-saving work of pregnancy centers across the country,” said Heartbeat President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. “With the CBS coverage and then the TIME magazine article, we needed to present the history of the pregnancy center movement along with our vision for the future where women are able to recognize abortion as the harmful choice that it is.”
As the head of the nation’s
oldest and largest pregnancy center association, Peggy opened the briefing
with a history of the pregnancy resource center movement in the U.S.
Other key presenters covered topics such as:
abortion risks, medical accuracy, client demographics, and ultrasound technology.
We also took the opportunity to circulate Our Commitment of Care which outlines our dedication to serve with truth and accuracy.
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MEET US IN ST. LOUIS
For Heartbeat's Gateway of Hope Conference
 The 36th Annual Heartbeat International Conference (St. Louis, April 18-21)
is a chance to interact with Heartbeat’s President Peggy Hartshorn, members
of the Board of Directors, as well as other key leaders in the pro-life movement.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet many of the distinguished
speakers who are part of our Conference, including: pro-life Congressman
Rick Renzi (R-Arizona), Carrie Abbott of the Legacy Institute, and best-selling
author and former Focus on the Family TV and radio host, Dr. Walt Larimore.
This year’s Heartbeat Conference theme – Gateway of Hope – is taken from
Hosea 2:15.
“I know you’ll agree that the theme is most fitting given that you and
Heartbeat, through our pregnancy resource centers, are ‘gateways of hope’ for
the mothers who come to them for help ... and especially for their innocent
babies,” said President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. “I have heard people say, ‘This
is the best conference I have ever attended.’ So, please come and experience this‘slice of heaven’ for yourself.”
On Friday night, Heartbeat will present a special screening of the movie
Bella. Based on a true story, this inspiring film affirms what’s truly important in life. The movie may even save lives and bring people who have been touched
by abortion to healing. The star of the movie, Eduardo Verastegui, is pro-life.
 Saturday’s banquet will feature “A Night with Anne and Jimmy Pierson.”
They are the founders and directors of Loving and
Caring, a ministry that focuses on the issue of fatherlessness.
Anne and Jimmy have been foster parents to more
than 200 teenage girls, in addition to raising their own
two daughters. Anne is also a celebrated author.
You will be riveted to your chair as they share their
amazing story of great faith with humor.
In addition to specific tracks for Leadership,
Development, Medical, Post-Abortion, there will be
many other interesting workshops to choose from. For
instance, Rev. John Ensor (Executive Director of Heartbeat’s Urban Initiative
in Miami) will be sharing about the importance of steering our movement into
the cities. Fr. Frank Pavone will lead a workshop on assessing our individual
spiritual health. For complete details, you can view our brochure online.
To participate in this one-of-a-kind pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family
event, please email Virginia
or call her at 888-550-7577.
If you cannot attend, join us in spirit and support our efforts with prayer. Thank you for all you do to help Heartbeat meet the needs of our affiliate
pregnancy centers ... and for allowing us to serve as your partner in ministry.
 Johnny M. Hunter, D.D.
National Director, Life Education and Resource Network, Inc.
“Heartbeat International is an organization that lives up to its name and promotes the sound of heartbeats worldwide. Their leaders even provide a way for people in other nations to attend their conferences, receive assistance, and gain knowledge of the latest innovations to preserve life. Your support will bless an organization that serves people of all ethnicity across the globe.”
[Rev. Hunter will present a keynote address at the Heartbeat Conference.] |
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Adoption Makes Sense with
Support from Mentors
by Sharon Fieker
Sharon’s daughter Lori said, “All the energy that Sharon put in to writing her book will have been worth it if one woman who is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy
finds the strength to choose adoption after reading the book. |
“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).
In 1969, I experienced the darkest time in my life because
of an unplanned pregnancy. I made an adoption plan for my
baby and was advised by the social worker that it would be best
to go on with my life as if the pregnancy and adoption had
never happened.
Although my family and one girlfriend knew about the
adoption, we chose not to discuss it. I was not aware of the
importance of sharing my struggles or the hurtful impact
resulting from hiding my actions and feelings.
As my favorite scripture demonstrates, I learned that God’s
plan does provide hope and a future instead of harm. I was
reunited with my daughter, Lori, in 1995 and learned she had
the best parents any child could ever have.
While choosing adoption for her was the most difficult
decision I ever had to make, I’m thankful I chose life for her.
I’m also thankful that God’s plan for me included becoming
a volunteer at the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield,
Missouri. As mentors, we help women experiencing an
unplanned pregnancy. We provide a safe, loving and
non-threatening environment and encourage mothers to share
their feelings rather than hide them.
As a volunteer mentor/adoption specialist, I am available
to discuss the adoption option with our clients. I share my
story with them and am willing to answer any questions that
they might have about adoption. I know firsthand about unresolved grief, secrecy,
forgiveness, unconditional love, and the joy involved with placing a child in a family,
with a mother and a father.
I have included these challenges and blessings in a book I’ve written titled
I Choose This Day: Mournings and Miracles of Adoption.
[Sharon Fieker will present a workshop on adoption at the Heartbeat Conference.]
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Option
Line’s
Incredible
Growth
Continued
Through
2006!
- 2006 saw an increase of 72,843 contacts over 2005 and a 474% increase over 2003.
- Telephone calls continue to be our most popular form of contact.
- Instant Messaging (IM) has increased our communication with youth.
YEAR |
CALLS |
E-MAILS |
IM |
TOTAL |
% OF GROWTH |
2003 |
32,577 |
2,949 |
0 |
35,526 |
n/a |
2004 |
48,461 |
6,110 |
0 |
54,571 |
53.6% |
2005 |
115,013 |
16,157 |
0 |
131,170 |
140.3% |
2006 |
171,226 |
19,645 |
13,142 |
204,013 |
55.5% |
TOTAL |
412,830 |
44,861 |
13,142 |
470,835 |
474.2% |
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How I Experienced God in Miami
by Peggy Hartshorn, Heartbeat President
I just returned to the Heartbeat
headquarters from a wonderful
few days of experiencing God
in Miami, the American city
that has the highest number
of abortion clinics (37)
compared to pregnancy
centers with life-saving
ultrasound (only one!).
It was evident how the
Lord is using our Urban
Initiative to bring His
church together to
support the establishment
of the first new pregnancy
center (in Hialeah).
I visited with the Respect
Life Director of the Diocese
of Miami to thank her for her unwavering support. One Catholic parish
alone just collected over $10,000 in a “baby bottle campaign” for the new
center. The coins and bills, stuffed in baby bottles, had just been counted
and taken to the bank!
At the community festival: Peggy Hartshorn (L)
with Rev. John Ensor (R), David Behar, who
is raising resources for the new center in Hialeah,
and Martha Avila, a key volunteer for the center. |
I also personally thanked several Evangelical pastors gathered with their
congregations for a community festival near Hialeah. Our Urban Initiative
Executive Director Rev. John Ensor had already spoken in most of their
churches. I met many wonderful volunteers who were already investing time
and treasure to open the new center.
But it was on Sunday morning when I attended Iglesia Confraternidad that
God most amazed and thrilled me! After John spoke to this church of only
12 members, a woman rose to share a testimony. At the children’s agency
where she works, a 15-year-old client wanted to have an abortion that week,
but the baby was saved when the girl abruptly changed her mind in the clinic
operating room and refused the abortion!
John and I looked at each other in amazement. Maria was telling us “the rest of the story” whose beginning John told me when I arrived in Miami.
A different agency worker, who kept John’s card after he spoke in her church
months ago, called to get his advice about the same 15-year-old just days before! Although an attorney had told the agency they
were required to facilitate the abortion, John encouraged them to take the client for an ultrasound at a pregnancy center in the
adjacent county. They did so. Although the girl then went to the abortion clinic, she heroically refused the abortion.
 Not only had the baby been saved, God revealed how beautifully He accomplishes His work. Had we not been at that small
church that day, we might never have known yet another example of how He has prepared the ground and brought laborers
into the vineyard, and how so many of the planted seeds He is now bringing to fruition.
Heartbeat of Miami is a pilot project of Heartbeat International's Urban Initiative.
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Electronic Fund Transfer Provides Powerful Provisions
 If saving and changing lives is your reason for giving to Heartbeat then you should be an ePartner for Life. Electronic monthly partnership provides powerful provision! Investing monthly in Kingdom work is as effective as monthly retirement investing in this world but eternally more valuable. More effective and cost-saving.
Even if the Lord has been directing you in single gifts, we want you to consider both. Why? We need both in this war against life. Rock-solid monthly ePartners combined with occasional giving in addition as needs arise makes you extremely effective in this battle for life. Donate now or call Anita at 888-550-7577 for personal service. You are joined with us in this labor of love. Thank you.
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