|
God Planned Christmas Details Just for Us?
by Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., Heartbeat President
 When I reflect on the Christmas story, I almost wonder if God planned the details to be our inspiration in the specific pro-life work He has called us into.
Jesus was born into a family showing us the importance God places on both mother and father for the care of His precious children. Even though Mary experienced what we call a “crisis pregnancy,” she placed all her trust in the Lord, submitted to His will, and guarded the baby growing inside her womb. In response to Mary and Joseph’s faith, God supplied everything they needed. He did this through others, ordinary people like us who perhaps did not understand that they were ministering to the Lord Himself!  Food and shelter were provided by someone until the Magi made their way to Bethlehem with gifts. Then there was the critical warning for the Holy Family to flee into Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of the innocent infants. No doubt, God was providing. The Holy Family – with love for each other and total trust in the Lord, especially when they felt afraid – is our model. This trust in God and love for others is the vision we share with clients in our centers and on Option Line!
The providers for the Holy Family, knowing only that they were called to help a baby and His parents in need, are models for us, who give our time and our resources to save babies today.
We serve Jesus, just like others did 2,000 years ago. For He assured us, “Whatever you do for the least of these, my brethren, you do it unto Me.”
  National Director of Priests for Life
Inspires Pro-Life Workers in Columbus
Priests for Life Director Father Frank Pavone with Heartbeat President Peggy Hartshorn and Option Line Director Joe Young. Father Frank inspired employees of Heartbeat, Option Line, and Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (our Columbus affiliate) during a recent luncheon. He reminded us that: “We are not working towards victory; we are working from victory!”
Father Frank took time to visit with some of the Option Life staff including Rosalinda Morales, one of the Hispanic consultants who helps provide 24/7 bilingual coverage at our national call center.
|
|
| Heartbeat International’s 35 Years: Milestones for Life
As Heartbeat International concludes our 35th Anniversary year, we know you, our faithful LifeSavers, will appreciate these milestones. Much has changed since we became the first national alternatives to abortion organization in the United States, but we are more committed than ever to our mission to Reach the abortion vulnerable, Rescue those in need through our network of pregnancy centers, and Renew our communities for Life.
1970s and 1980s: Our Call to Action
Founder Dr. John Hillabrand often noted that he had "delivered 10,000 babies and never lost a mother."
"If we are not pro-life, we are against our own survival," said Founder Lore Maier, a refugee from Nazi Germany.
 .
Founder Sister Paula Vandegaer with Peggy Hartshorn at our first conference as Heartbeat International in 1994.
In 1998, three of the five Heartbeat staff, (from left) Beth Diemert, Peggy Hartshorn and Virginia Cline, plan conference in St. Louis. This is also the site for our 2007 conference - hope to see you there!
Option Line staff when phones began to ring at national call center in 2003.
Some of the 2006 Heartbeat staff.
|
On November 13, 1971, in response to the spread of legalized abortion state by state, Dr. John Hillabrand, a Toledo, OH obstetrician, and Lore Maier, a refugee from Nazi Germany, form Alternatives to Abortion to network emerging hotlines and pregnancy centers.
- Alternatives to Abortion publishes first Directory with 75 pregnancy center contacts.
- Alternatives to Abortion becomes Alternatives to Abortion International (AAI) as our founders network worldwide.
January 22, 1973– Roe v. Wade makes abortion-on-demand the law of the land.
- Sr. Paula Vandegaer edits Heartbeat, the magazine for AAI affiliates, publishes the first training articles on counseling, including the first article on post-abortion counseling.
- Affiliates number about 250.
- Dr. Hillabrand testifies at Congressional hearings on negative health effects of the Pill.
- AAI offices move from Ohio to White Plains, NY.
- Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., joins AAI Board.
- Founders retire from AAI.
- For nearly 20 years, AAI operates with volunteer consultants and one part-time paid employee, providing education, training, consultation, and support.
1990s: Our Renewed Commitment
November 3, 1992 – Clinton elected president and the “Casey” decision, reaffirming Roe v. Wade, handed down; little hope of progress on judicial, political, or legislative fronts. As the service arm of the pro-life movement, pregnancy centers take the lead. AAI changes name to Heartbeat International.
1993– Headquarters moved to Columbus, OH, and Heartbeat describes itself as an interdenominational, Christian network of pregnancy service providers. Peggy Hartshorn becomes president and first full-time paid professional employee.
1994– First two manuals, LOVE Approach (volunteer training) and Vision: How to Start a Pregnancy Resource Center.
1995– Directory has over 4,000 listings worldwide.
1996– Twelve different Heartbeat manuals available to develop and strengthen pregnancy centers.
1997– First efforts to help cities combat abortion becomes Project REACH in New York City.
1998– First conference scholarships for overseas pregnancy centers.
1999– First advanced training for volunteers, ConCert distance-learning certificate program.
2000s: Our Expanding Vision
2000– Record number, 682, attend 29th Annual Conference in Columbus.
2001– Worldwide Directory becomes available on Internet with launch of www.heartbeatinternational.org.
2002– First program to teach clients God’s plan for our sexuality; Sexual Integrity.
2003– Option Line® launched with Care Net; first national call center with paid staff 24/7 and website (www.pregnancycenters.org). Heartbeat hosts first overseas conference in Budapest, Hungary.
2004– Heartbeat provides legal reviews and Board trainings for centers in Focus on the Family Option Ultrasound™ Program.
2005– New Heartbeat Institute offers professional, advanced training for center leaders.
2006: Heartbeat Today
January – Urban Initiative launches in Miami, where one out of two pregnancies ends in abortion.
February – Heartbeat distributes Hurricane Relief Funds to help rebuild centers in Louisiana and Florida.
March – Heartbeat helps start and train Pregnancy Support Services of Asia, in the Philippines. Directory has over 5,200 listings!
April – Option Line uses Instant Messaging, instantaneous online email.
May – With 35th Annual Conference, international scholarships reach 140 (representing 42 countries).
June – Heartbeat collects petitions asking Congress to defend pregnancy centers against attacks.
July – Option Line responds to 20,321 calls and emails in one month.
August – Heartbeat staff grows to 20 plus six professional consultants.
September – Heartbeat president quoted on the front page of the Washington Post.
October – Affiliate numbers reach over 1,000!
November – Affiliates join get-out-the-vote efforts.
December – Focus on Fertility becomes newest DVD component of Sexual Integrity Program.
Heartbeat International and our affiliates are Ready to reach, rescue, and renew cultures worldwide so that abortion becomes unthinkable for future generations.
Back to Top
|
Pregnancy Centers continue to join Heartbeat International
Back to Top
|
Woman Saved by Grace to Help Start Pregnancy Centers
by Jeanne Pernia,
Development Committee Member, Heartbeat of Miami
 This spring, Rev. John Ensor spoke at my church in Miami. I sat there with a million different emotions. He told us the startling statistics: nearly 40 abortion sites in our city and seven in our nearby neighborhood of Hialeah. He laid out the biblical call to defend the innocent and help the weak. He told us of his mission to establish pregnancy centers in Miami.
Urban Initiative Executive Director Reverend John Ensor with Jeanne Pernia in Miami.
|
All of this triggered many painful memories and emotions. I was transported to a time in 1979, when my mother and I launched perhaps the first abortion clinic in Hialeah. It was a time when my lifestyle did not honor God and the decisions I made brought me a lot of pain. Listening to the vision for Heartbeat of Miami, I knew that it was something God was bringing into my life.
With much encouragement, I have written my full story which you can read online. I am preparing to share my story in area churches. I am dedicated now to help launch the first pregnancy help clinic in Hialeah!
My story is God working in my life through a serious car accident, my mother taking over my job, then deciding to open her own abortion clinic. It is a story of my boyfriend becoming her business partner and then me experiencing my own crisis pregnancy.
It is a story of a timely friendship with a Christian woman at the lowest point of my life; of repentance and faith in Christ for both my mother and me. Now I see that my story is one of sin at work for the sake of death, but grace was also at work for "the saving of many lives" (Gen. 50: 20).
I invite you to read my story and join me in the sacrifice and effort now required to bring the Heartbeat of Miami vision into reality.
Back to Top
|
|
Heartbeat Affiliates Transform RVs into Rescue Vehicles
 Elizabeth’s New Life Center provides ultrasound services to 12 counties in Southern Ohio via their Mobile Women’s Center. |
Knowing that a mother being pressured to abort will likely choose life when she sees her baby’s image, Heartbeat International encourages affiliates to take ultrasound technology to their clients via RVs – rescue vehicles.
Heartbeats of Licking County (Newark, OH), Elizabeth’s New Life Center (Dayton, OH), and Pregnancy Solutions and Services (Akron, OH) are a few of our affiliates that are using ultrasound-equipped recreational vehicles to save lives. Some centers are using RVs in underserved areas of their counties and even on university campuses to deliver services.
It looked like a regular RV with a woman’s face painted on it. Image Clear Ultrasound was boldly printed on the side. Ashley hesitated, and then walked up to the door of the mobile unit from Pregnancy Solutions and Services.
 Ashley and her daughter Aryana were among the first lives saved and changed by Pregnancy Solutions and Services’ mobile unit in Akron. So far this year, 447 ultrasounds have been performed. Of the 127 moms considering abortion, 99 chose life for their child.
|
Her boyfriend was pressuring her to get an abortion, but a caring friend convinced her to contact the pregnancy center first. She knocked and the RV door was opened.
The ultrasound staff was caring and genuine. They showed Ashley and her boyfriend the ultrasound image of her unborn baby. Both parents stared in awe at their child on the screen.
“When I saw that little thing on the ultrasound, I knew right then and there that I was going to keep the baby,” Ashley said.
Back to Top |
"The ministry of Heartbeat compassionately fulfills a critical need in our society - that of helping those facing an unexpected pregnancy with real choices and resources to empower and encourage life, hope and healing. Heartbeat International is an ambassador of God's truth, will and love as they make a difference one heart at a time."
- Jennifer O'Neill, Actress |
|
A Gift from Your Heart to Heartbeat
 If you believe in the mission of Heartbeat International to save and change as many lives as possible, EFT (electronic fund transfer) is a great way to support our ministry. You can increase the value of each dollar you give by becoming an ePartner for Life. Unless the Lord is directing you to a significant one-time gift, your electronic monthly gift is the most effective way to expand God’s vision of making abortion unthinkable.
Not only do we save time and processing costs, but the stability of this giving method greatly increases our ability to plan financially sound programs over the course of the fiscal year. Will you please consider a monthly EFT gift to support our ongoing work? If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Anita at 1-888-550-7577. She is available during business hours to help you with EFT.
Back to Top |
|
|
|
 |
