by Ellen Foell, International Specialist of Heartbeat International

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”  - Matthew 24:6-8

In early October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel on the 50^th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In September 2023, both Serbia and Kosovo moved troops to their borders in a standoff. In February 2022, the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine.

Wars and rumors of wars. And that is not all.

Did you know that according to the Geneva Academy¹ (which classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law), there are currently more than 110 armed conflicts around the world? Some of these conflicts make the headlines while others do not. Some of them started recently, while others have lasted for more than 50 years. Here is a map showing the locations of current armed conflicts.²

One does not need to study the map for very long to see that the geographic locations where armed conflict is occurring far outnumber the nations where there is some semblance of peace.

Of course, as soon as any war or conflict erupts, leaders start to talk about “calm heads,” and pursuing peace; they begin to argue about who started it, but mostly, their loudest cry and call is for peace—even though hardly anyone dares to talk about what that would look like. It is the cry not only from those engaged in the war but from those who lead powerful nations, and those who have influence. Throughout history, and in the context of hundreds of previous conflicts and wars, great leaders in the world and history have spoken about world peace: Alexander the Great, Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Helen Keller, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Men and women—black and white—of every generation has had its spokespersons for peace. Everyone wants peace.

As a “world community,” prizes are even given to those who advocate for peace as if the advocacy for peace had a magic dotted line to actual peace. It doesn’t. And even if we think it does, the prophet Jeremiah wrote: 

“From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.”

– Jeremiah 6:14

The phrase “peace, peace,” when there is no peace is found in Jeremiah 6:14 and Jeremiah 8:11. It is also found in Ezekiel 13:10 and 16. In all four places, it has the same meaning in the same historical context: a cry for peace for a nation, for a people, amid conflict and oppression.

We want peace, and we cry for peace. As we look at the nations at war, the ethnic and regional conflicts, that are occurring right now in our world, of course, we pray for peace. But let us not kid ourselves. Jesus said we would hear of "wars and rumors of wars."Not only that, but Jesus told His disciples, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” - Matthew 10:34

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!” - Luke 12:49

Is this the same Jesus who said, “Peace I leave with you…” no fewer than three times to the disciples after he rose from the dead? The same Jesus who oftentimes told someone whose life he had just irreversibly and gloriously changed, “Go in peace.” Including, the woman He healed from the issue of blood (Luke 8:48), the woman who anointed His feet with her tears (Luke 7:50), and the royal official whose son was healed (John 4:50).

Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. He could make winds stop, still the waves, calm the raging Gerasene and quiet the accusations of the religious leaders. Jesus said to the disciples and to those He healed, several times, “Peace I leave with you,” “Go in peace,” “Be at peace with one another,” and “My peace I leave with you.” In the famous opening to His great sermon, known as the Beatitudes, Jesus taught, “Blessed [happy] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Well, which was it? Did Jesus come to bring peace or division, calm or conflict, serenity or a sword? What if He came to bring both?

We know that Jesus also said in John 14:27 the most enigmatic thing of all: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Christ's "peace" here refers to a hope and reassurance that goes beyond what a fallen world can offer (Philippians 4:7). It is permanent, guaranteed, and eternal (Hebrews 6:18–19). Our vice president of Ministry Services, Tracie Shellhouse, shares an encouraging word about peace for each one of us. In Christ alone, we can have peace.

The Prophet Micah at 4:3, articulated his hope for a world where nations would no longer engage in warfare; where people would live in safety and unity, sitting under their own vine and fig tree with none to make them afraid. Micah, along with Isaiah and other prominent prophets, consistently emphasized the importance of justice, righteousness, and the pursuit of peace as integral components of a harmonious society. This underlines the idea that true peace was not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and righteousness in the world. We strive for peace, but we also know that the day when the lion lies down with the lamb is not for this side of eternity.

We have short video updates about the war in Israel from Sandy Shoshani, National Director of Be’ad Chaim, and Nadia Gordynsky, President of Save a Life, International, with a network of centers across Ukraine. Her testimony of what is happening in the Ukraine assures us God is on the throne and His work endures and grows despite conflict and war.

Friends and allies, we grieve the death and destruction caused by ongoing wars and conflict, but not as the world does. Our fully redeemed and truest hope is not in this world, and our hope is not in this present life. Nonetheless, let us pray and work for the peace of Jerusalem, the peace in Kiev, and the peace in every area of the world where conflict and unrest continue, until the shalom of the Prince of Peace is manifest.

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Sources

1. https://geneva-academy.ch/galleries/today-s-armed-conflicts (accessed 10/31/23).
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts (accessed 10/31/23).

In February, International Program Specialist, Ellen Foell and Sara Dominguez, Affiliate Services Specialist, visited Australia! Below are some questions Ellen answered about her experience:

Have you been to Australia before?

Yes, about 30 years ago, when I was much younger and all 12 apostles were still extant. The 12 apostles are a limestone rock formation off the coast of Australia, and now there are only 7.5—not sure which apostles got voted out of the ocean.

How did this trip begin?

It began when a generous donor desired to launch a center internationally. The Life Launch program, under the purview of Sara Dominguez, has helped launch about 37 centers, helping centers in the U.S. to go farther, faster. Sara and I had been vetting candidates for an international launch when we met Dr. Mouawad in Sydney through Lara Wynyard, the Director of Pregnancy Help Australia (PHA). PHA is one of Heartbeat's nine international partner organizations. After talking to Dr. Mouawad and hearing her vision, we realized she was the candidate we were looking for. Her center is called Pregnancy and Life.

It was obvious that we should travel to Australia since I was also asked to speak at the PHA Conference, "Arise & Go," which was being held a little earlier in February in Adelaide, Australia. The two events coming together seemed like a great opportunity.

How long were you and Sara in Australia?

I was there for 2.5 weeks with the PHA Conference as one bookend of the stay, and the Life Launch training bookending the back end of my trip. Sara was there mostly for the Life Launch training itself in Sydney.

What PHOs did you visit during your time in Australia?

I visited Genesis, directed beautifully by Juli Sharpe. They do wonderful work, reaching out in various ways to the Adelaide community. Also, in Sydney I visited with Jenny Gurry, director of Diamond Women. Both centers are robust and effectively reaching women and families in their areas. I wish that I could have visited all 34 affiliated centers that are part of PHA.

What did your visit cover (curriculum, training, visits/meetings, etc.)?

At the PHA Conference, I was honored to keynote on the conference theme, which was based on the narrative of Deborah, found in the book of Judges.

I presented a workshop on "Raising the Standard," Heartbeat's training on the Commitment of Care and Competence, an agreement required by all affiliates.

Next, I presented a workshop, "Crowned with Dignity," which addresses the role of according God-given dignity to people around us and how restorative that is; based on the narrative of the interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well.

Then, at the Life Launch training, I was scheduled to train on the L.O.V.E. Approach to two groups of volunteers of about ten each group. Unfortunately for me— but perhaps fortunately for them—I lost my voice for three days and Sara stepped in to do what she does so often and so beautifully. However, I was able to do the second training.

Also, Sara and I also had a chance to meet with two of the board members and were blown away by their commitment to help the center.

Finally, I had a chance to sit in with Sara as she led the executive director through New Director training one-on-one (while I pretended to be invisible). It was trainings that were all pregnancy help center-related, much like we do at Pregnancy Help Institute, but one-on-one which was a great opportunity for Marie Rose (Dr. Mouawad) to ask any questions, take notes, etc.

How will the training/curriculum you (and Sara) provided improve their PHO in the future?

Training is training. They can be very static. But what takes training to the next level is the relationship that can form as a result of the training. Sara specifically, and Heartbeat generally, excels at relationship-building and keeping the bridge open for more help, questions, and encouragement. No center director should feel alone on the journey, from turning the key to opening the door on the first day.

How has Heartbeat (and their affiliation with us) made an impact on their organization(s)?

With regard to PHA, let me allow Lara, Director of PHA, to speak on behalf of PHA. PHA and Heartbeat have been partnering in this work for over 40 years. PHA is celebrating their 45th birthday this year (2024), so give them a shout-out and sing Happy Birthday! They are doing a great work. We hosted Lara in 2019 at our conference in Dallas, Texas. Last year, we hosted Anthony Moore (Genesis board chair) at our conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

What was the biggest thing you learned from or about the organizations you visited?

PHA is very healthy and very robust. Despite being stretched in all ways, the PHA leadership is coming up with very innovative and significant means to reach more centers so they can reach more women and families. Pregnancy and Life is being launched under the umbrella of Maronite Care which encompasses several outreaches of the Maronite Church. It is wonderful to see the church being so supportive and engaged with a new center.

What was the biggest takeaway from your visit to Australia?

Honestly, it sounds silly, but standing at the coast at some point, and realizing the next big land mass is Antarctica. Australia is really far away. On a less geographic note, what struck me was the incredible effort that PHA is putting forth to move west to east and north to south so that women in Australia are able to be reached with real alternatives to abortion. As to Dr. Mouawad, my takeaway was the amazing commitment she has to rescuing babies and women. She was inspired by our own Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International, who was in Australia in early 2023. Dr. Mouawad felt such a conviction in her heart that she determined that establishing a center was the call for her. 

Why is it important for us to connect internationally and between organizations?

If we really believe that we are better together, then we need to acknowledge that together only happens with intentionality and commitment. The global pregnancy help work probably exists in many more than the 94 countries in which Heartbeat is currently privileged to serve. The best way we connect with new centers and new countries is someone tells someone, who then tells someone else. I believe that God commands a blessing where the brothers and sisters dwell together in unity. One of our values at Heartbeat is unity, and we believe that we all work better together when we know we are not alone.

The thing I hear most often from international attendees at our pregnancy help conference for the first time is, "I could not believe so many others are doing the same work!" Let no one in this work feel they are alone. God has His armies everywhere.

Is there anything else that stood out to you or affected you during your time there? Anything that surprised you?

Yes, the thing that surprised me was a sad surprise mainly because it was a reflection of the state of the culture in Australia and the ongoing need for the work of the pregnancy help centers. A young woman at the LO.V.E. Approach training shared that she had a ten-month-old. When she went to her doctor to confirm pregnancy, the first words out of her doctor's mouth were not "Congratulations!" or, "I am so happy for you." Their first words were, "Do you intend to abort?" I was shocked. How sad that such great news could be and would be met with such a negative response. It confirmed again that our work is not just to save the babies, but also their moms, dads, community, and culture.

by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

And, that’s a wrap for Heartbeat International’s 2024 conference, held in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 23-26. What a conference it was! It was our most well-attended conference yet, with over 2,000 persons attending in person and virtually (and counting, as our virtual conference continues). We had 14 nations represented and 48 internationals attended. If you were not able to attend, we missed you and hope you will consider attending next year’s conference.* 

Fortunately, even though the Heartbeat staff and attendees are all back in their seats at life-affirming organizations across the globe, the thematic call, United for Life, continues. In case you were not able to attend either the in-person or virtual conference, our key verse was Philippians 2:2, "...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose." We recently published an issue of Heartbeat Around the World on the call and need for unity. However, as we know, God’s word is timeless and ever-fresh. At this conference, it really struck me afresh that we are called to unity in many aspects.

We are called to be united in our...

• minds
• hearts
• spirits
• souls—including the outward expression of our purpose

Unity is an intentional, wholehearted, and whole-life effort to love our God, our neighbors, our clients, and our fellow life-affirming co-laborers with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Sometimes, we can focus so much on the mission that we forget that love is at the very heart of our mission, and without love, our mission may very well sound like a clanging cymbal. Let us have the same love. Or, we can hyperfocus on the specific aspect of the life-affirming movement that we think our hyperfocus should be everyone’s hyperfocus. The life-affirming movement is multifaceted, and each of us is called to know our specific calling and our place on the "wall." As we pursue like-mindedness, the same love, unity in spirit and purpose, we will see God’s purposes and His glory cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.

Speaking of God’s glory, take a look at this video of the Parade of Nations, as Heartbeat’s 97 affiliated nations’ flags were on display for God’s splendor.

*If you think you might be interested in attending next year’s conference and require a VISA to attend, do not wait until next year to get your VISA appointment. Heartbeat can send you an invitation to next year’s conference that you can take to your interview. As always, the letter is not a promise by Heartbeat to pay for expenses of registration, accommodations, or travel. It is to be used only for purposes of the VISA interview.

by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

We all know that the world is ablaze with debate and fury on the issue of abortion. Unfortunately, that blaze is also occurring in the highest halls of government. And, nowhere is that more apparent than in the European Union, its Parliament, and its Court. On the one hand, the European Parliament voted in a directive that surrogacy can be a form of reproductive exploitation and human trafficking. That is great news.

On the other hand, the EU Parliament also recently voted in favor of including access to abortion as a fundamental right in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. From the podium, hard-left French MEP Manon Aubry attacked what she called "reactionaries" on the right to vote against the measure, stating, "No, the right to abortion is not a controversial issue. It is a fundamental freedom. No, the right to abortion does not kill. On the contrary, it saves lives. And while you are quietly attacking it here in the European Parliament, [women] can count on us. We'll be with you all the way."

Fortunately, that vote is largely symbolic. The resolution is non-binding, and a full-fledged right to abortion access would require the backing of all 27 member states to be included in the EU's charter. But symbols have meaning. We need to be aware of our times and interpret them rightly.

Upcoming Summit

At the upcoming European Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit, Heartbeat is pleased to welcome attorney Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, Legal Counsel with ADF International, based in Vienna, Austria. He will draw upon his experience to discuss the most recent resolutions from the EU Parliament and their potential impact on pregnancy help centers in Europe. (Of course, we will also host speakers on fundraising, client services and center management.)

Soon, you can sign up to attend the EPHL Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on September 19-21,2024. Registration will open June 1, 2024. The registration is free for affiliates. If you need to affiliate, or re-affiliate, you can affiliate here  for $70.00USD. If you are not affiliated, the cost for registration and meals is $195.00 USD per person.

About Attorney Guillermo A. Morales Sancho

Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, PhD, serves as legal counsel, Europe, for ADF International in Vienna, Austria. He is a lawyer specializing in constitutional and human rights law and conducts legal advocacy in Europe to promote and protect parental rights, free speech, children’s right to life, as well as freedom of conscience and religion.¹

Your Role In Adversity

Awareness of the times in which we live can be the starting point at which we are reminded of these core truths:

- Unity: Discover why unity matters at such a time as this. This movement is bigger than any one of us. We must work together and stand strong against those who work so hard to break us apart.

- Peace: Remember your source of peace.

- Commitment and intentionality: At the core, this is a daily practice to remain committed to the mission and intentional in what you do.

Adversity is an opportunity we can seize to deepen our faith. The political endeavors to enshrine abortion into law around the world should propel us to remember our mission, unite in prayer and intercession (just as Paul and Silas chose to pray in their darkest moments), and focus vertically, keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord.

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1. More information can be found here: https://adfinternational.org/our-team/guillermo-a-morales-sancho