Rachel Deffenbaugh
2025 Pregnancy Help European Summit - Online Brochure
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Welcome!
We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Singapore, the location of Heartbeat International’s 1st Pan-Asian Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit. You are in for a treat to be with over 45 other life-affirming leaders!
Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and remains the largest and most expansive network in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened, and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 4,000 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.
We are a nonprofit, interdenominational, Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.
Our Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so abortion is unthinkable.
Our Mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE.
Tatum Cole is a registered nurse specializing in women’s health, with five years of experience providing compassionate, life-affirming care. She currently serves as an APR (Abortion Pill Reversal) Hotline Nurse with Heartbeat International, where she supports women navigating urgent and complex pregnancy decisions.
Previously, Tatum was the Nurse Manager at Hope First in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she led clinical services including pregnancy testing, STD testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, and abortion pill reversal care. Her work reflects a strong
commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered support.
Tatum holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Appalachian State University. As a military spouse since 2012, she brings a global perspective to her work, currently living and serving overseas.
Johanna Durairaj, a devoted wife to her Indian husband and a mother of five, began her journey toward natural birth following her initial C-section delivery with her first child. Drawing from her own personal experiences and driven by a passion for empowering pregnant mothers, Johanna has dedicated over a decade of her life to actively serving and assisting pregnant women. In 2011, while accompanying a pregnant mother to the hospital, Johanna confronted the limitations of the healthcare system. It was at this moment that the idea of a natural birthing home took root in her heart. Johanna’s mission is to create a space where families can embrace parenthood with beauty, respect, and the dignity they deserve. As a La Leche certified lactational consultant, she also offers expertise to support and guide mothers on their breastfeeding journey. She and her husband direct Life for All in Coimbatore, India.
Ellen Foell, J.D., serves as the International Program Specialist for Heartbeat International, where she supports around 1,500 affiliates in more than 100 countries. With a background in law and ministry, Ellen first joined Heartbeat as Legal Counsel. After a season of writing and nonprofit advocacy, she returned to Heartbeat to focus on global outreach, offering training, mentorship, and strategic support to pregnancy help organizations. Ellen has represented Heartbeat at the United Nations, and her work has taken her to countries worldwide. A dedicated wife and mother of four, Ellen brings a heart for missions, years of cross-cultural ministry experience, and a deep commitment to life-affirming care around the globe.
Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International, the largest affiliation network of pregnancy help organizations in the world serving nearly 4,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Jor-El leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders serving in Heartbeat affiliated life-affirming pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. Jor-El oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to reach and rescue lives at-risk for abortion through far-reaching programs that include Option Line and Abortion Pill Rescue Network.
Melissa Heiland is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 13. She holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Central Missouri. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Feet International, a mission organization that starts international pregnancy centers. Beautiful Feet has over 200 pregnancy ministries in over 40 nations. Melissa is an author, speaker, and missionary. She has written a training manual for pregnancy centers, a curriculum for pregnancy centers, and devotionals for new and pregnant moms, as well as devotionals for mission teams. Her passion is teaching others to share the Gospel and to protect life. www.BeautifulFeetInternational.com
Jennifer Heng is passionate about building a culture of life in Singapore and Asia. She is the Director and Founder of Safe Place, an initiative that empowers women with unsupported pregnancies to make life-giving choices. Her strong communication and leadership skills, as well as a passion for building a culture of Life enable her to increase the impact of her work and role. She tells her own inspiring life story in her book “Walking Out of Secret Shame.”
Wade Kim is currently the Welfare Director of Women’s Hope Center in Korea. He has been with WHC since March 2017.
Juli Sharpe is the CEO of Genesis Pregnancy Support Inc, and has been involved with Genesis for 20 years, originally as a counselor and then as a teacher. She is a delegate to the International Conference on Pregnancy Support in the US. 3 children and 5 grandchildren in her family.
Dr. Roopa Verghese is an obstetrician-gynecologist and bioethicist with extensive experience in both clinical practice and ethical leadership. She completed her graduation and post-graduation at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, followed by master’s degrees in Sweden and at Trinity International University in Chicago. She currently serves with the Emmanuel Hospital Association, a network of 20 hospitals serving rural communities across North and Northeast India. Based in Chattarpur, Dr. Verghese is the Medical Superintendent and Senior Consultant, providing both medical care and organizational leadership. In addition, she is the Executive Director of the Center for Bioethics India, where she leads initiatives to advance ethical reflection and practice in healthcare. An accomplished author, Dr. Verghese has written five books on obstetrics, gynecology, and bioethics. She also shares her reflections through her personal blog and podcast, Life in Introspection.
She is married to Dr. Jewel Jagan Jacob, an anesthetist and critical care physician, whom she describes as her partner in every venture. Together, they are blessed with a daughter, Jeroosha, who is currently in Class 11.
Leandro Dela Cruz
A few details to make the Summit an enjoyable experience for everyone:
• Please be on time for all sessions.
• You must wear your Summit badge for entry to the dining area.
• Thursday afternoon, you will have an option to tour our host center, aLife. Thereafter, you will have time to tour Singapore. Dinner will be on your own on Thursday and Friday.
We are glad you are part of the Heartbeat family.
At this Summit, we are pleased to welcome representatives from several nations around the world!
| Wednesday | ||
| 1500 | Check In | |
| 1700 | Registration in Lobby | |
| 1800 | Welcome | |
| 1815 | Host Center Welcome and Prayer | |
| 1830 | Dinner | |
| Thursday | ||
| 0700 | Breakfast | |
| 0930 | Devotions | |
| 1000 | Keynote | |
| 1045 | Break | |
| 1115 | Introduction of Attending Organizations | |
| 1300 | Host Center Introduction, Welcome and Prayer | |
| 1330 | Lunch | |
| 1500 | Tour of aLife | |
| 1730 | Return to Hotel from aLife | |
| Dinner on your own or with new friends | ||
| Friday | ||
| 0700 | Breakfast | |
| 0930 | Devotions | |
| 1000 | Keynote | |
| 1115 | Plenary Session APR | |
| 1300 | Lunch | |
| 1430 | Workshop A - Donor Outreach | |
| Workshop B - Maternity Home Panel | ||
| 1530 | Break | |
| 1600 | Workshop C - The Role of Prayer and Spiritual Warfare | |
| in Pregnancy Help Outreach | ||
| Workshop D - Helplines: From Setup to Answering the Call | ||
| 1730 | Dinner on your own | |
| Saturday | ||
| 0700 | Breakfast | |
| 0930 | Devotions | |
| 1000 | Keynote | |
| 1045 | Break | |
| 1115 | Workshop E - The LOVE Approach | |
| Workshop F - Finding and Retaining Volunteers | ||
| 1215 | Closing Comments | |
| 1330 | Lunch/Dismissal |
For affiliation services and questions, please contact
Ellen Foell, J.D., International Program Specialist at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
whatsapp/signal +1(614)302-3664
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Conference Marketing 2026
March 25–27, 2026 | Cincinnati, OH
Exhibit or Sponsor with Heartbeat International
Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of pregnancy help leaders in the world, offering exceptional education, inspiration, and networking opportunities. Each year, thousands of leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers from pregnancy help centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, adoption agencies, and related fields come together to learn and grow in their life-affirming mission.
Your products and services play a vital role in strengthening the work of these ministries. By exhibiting or sponsoring at the Heartbeat Conference—either in person or virtually—you have the opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers who are eager for the tools and resources that help them serve women and families with excellence.
Why Exhibit?
- Access to 1,500+ leaders and decision-makers in the pregnancy help community.
- Seamless lead generation through our Conference App, allowing you to capture attendee information instantly by scanning QR codes on name badges.
- Dual exposure: In-person exhibitors also receive a customizable Virtual Exhibit Space, giving you visibility to both on-site and virtual attendees.
- Extended reach: The Virtual Conference remains open for 21 days post-event, so your presence continues long after the conference concludes.
- Virtual-only option available for those unable to attend on-site, with tools to showcase videos, brochures, answer questions, and host giveaways.
What is the difference between exhibiting and sponsoring?
Exhibit: An exhibit booth is an excellent way to showcase your products and services directly to Conference attendees. It provides visibility, personal interaction, and the opportunity to connect face-to-face with leaders and decision-makers in the pregnancy help movement. Exhibitors can share resources, demonstrate solutions, and build relationships with those who can benefit most from their offerings.
Sponsor: Sponsorship goes beyond exhibiting. Every sponsorship level includes exhibit space, but sponsorship is also an investment in the Conference itself. Sponsors help keep registration costs affordable for attendees serving on the frontlines of pregnancy help, ensuring more leaders can be trained, equipped, and encouraged. Because of this deeper investment, sponsorships come with added benefits such as expanded brand recognition, prime placement in promotional materials, additional networking opportunities, and other perks designed to maximize visibility and impact.
Faithful Friends
Exhibitors who have partnered with us in person for at least the past five consecutive conferences are recognized as Faithful Friends. This honor comes with exclusive opportunities when registering to exhibit at our Annual Conference. Check your email for your Faithful Friend ID and input it on the registration form below to unlock exclusive deals.
Marketing Opportunities
Want to maximize your presence? Beyond your exhibit space, we offer creative marketing options such as Program Ads, Conference Commercials, Literature Packet Inserts, and more. These opportunities ensure your message reaches attendees in multiple ways throughout the event.
Why It Matters
It is thanks to the support of our Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Marketing Partners that we can keep training costs low for those serving directly on the frontlines of pregnancy help. Your partnership equips leaders and teams to be more effective in their life-saving, life-changing work.
We warmly invite you to join us at the Heartbeat International Annual Conference. Together, we can expand your reach while strengthening the ministries that serve women and families every day.
MHC Regional Event - VA
Co-hosted by MHC & Mary’s Choice RVA Maternity Home
Join us for our next regional event for maternity housing organizations!
WHERE
St. Michael Lake House
4491 Springfiled Rd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
WHEN
Thursday, August 28, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and networking
Lunch provided.
Pregnancy Help Playbook
NEW! PREGNANCY HELP PLAYBOOK
Created to cast vision and spark ideas, this Playbook will serve as a practical resource for all aspects of your pregnancy help organization. Whether you're leading a center, working directly with clients, or serving in support roles, this Playbook is designed to help your team thrive in its mission to serve women, protect life, and build a culture of hope.
ORDER NOW
100+ Pages
Sections Included
Add-Ons Available!
Perfect for specific services, these add-ons complement the Playbook as your one-stop organizing tool.
Click on each add-on to learn more!
How to Use
Share with care according to your Policies & Procedures. Use (print or save digitally) only the pages you need, and nothing you don’t. This is yours to customize for your organization's needs.
Programs for digital use: Type in fields using Adobe Acrobat Reader, or Adobe Acrobat's online PDF editor (free version) on your desktop or tablet. Click on the Edit tab in the top menu, then click on Text in the left sidebar to add text. You may complete forms and save them to your organization's intranet or private drive. Ensure to follow your current Policies & Procedures.
ORDER NOWA Peek Inside
100+ Pages Included!
ORDER NOWConfidentiality
Look for the padlock on pages that contain Confidential Information.
Click here for a copy of our Confidentiality Disclaimer.
Your Playbook. Your Way.
Print as many copies as you need—and use them over and over again.
Plus, a calendar page full of ideas!
Digital Download
Download your Playbook and use the pages on your computer, tablet, or print them out!
ORDER NOW
YOU’RE IN CONTROL
Distribute the sections to departments as appropriate
Definitions for Services
Within the pregnancy help movement, terminology can vary across organizations, reflecting the distinct approaches and needs of each community. While this diversity is a strength, terminology differences can sometimes lead to confusion or misreporting, especially when
completing forms or reporting data. If one organization uses a different term for a service than what's listed on a form or report, they might mistakenly indicate they don’t offer that service—when in fact, they do. Clear, shared terminology—or at least an understanding of equivalent terms—is essential to ensure accurate reporting and consistent communication.
To make the application process smoother and avoid confusion, we’ve put together a list of common terms and what they mean, sorted by priority and frequency of client requests.
When checking services on the application, please use the definitions below to select the services your organization directly provides:
- Pregnancy Tests (Medical Service) - Testing for hCG levels in urine and/or blood (Urine hCG Pregnancy test; serum hCG pregnancy test)
- Self-Pregnancy Testing - Client performs urine pregnancy testing independently without medical oversight
- Ultrasound Services (On-site) - Offers ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy
- Ultrasound Referral in partnership with other clinics - Offers referral for ultrasound with another clinic or physician, either on-site or at another location
- Mobile Unit (Medical/Consulting) - Mobile medical unit offering ultrasounds and options consulting
- Prenatal Care (On-site) - Offers prenatal medical care on-site
- STI Testing (Medical Service) - Testing for particular STIs
- STI Treatment (Medical Service) - Treatment for particular STIs
- Maternity Housing - An organization providing residential care for expectant and/or parenting mothers and their children.
- Free Maternity and Baby Supplies - Free supplies may include maternity items, diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothing, and various baby items
- Pregnancy Options Consulting - Offers clients education and consultation services discussing pregnancy options
- Abortion Recovery - Can include resources, counseling, support groups, and/or educational resources to help women and men find healing after an abortion
- Medical Care Following Chemical Abortion - Offering medical care to women after a chemical abortion, including assessment and/or ultrasound
- Telehealth - Using digital technologies to deliver life-affirming healthcare services remotely, including telemedicine (e.g., pre- and post-abortion assessments/consultations, APR, patient education, and remote vital signs monitoring, etc.)
- Telecare - Using digital technologies to deliver pregnancy help services to empower clients to embrace life-affirming choices remotely, including virtual initial client intake and ongoing support (e.g., intervention appointments, options education/consulting, parenting classes, relationship/life skill coaching, etc.)
- Incentive Programs - Educational classes incentivized by material assistance (a.k.a. earn while you learn program)
- Parenting Classes - Provides classes to empower moms and dads on their parenting journey
- Childbirth Preparation Classes - Provides classes in preparation for childbirth
- Adoption Agency (On-site) - Legally authorized to facilitate adoption placements
- Adoption Information - Provides education on the adoption process and referrals to adoption agencies as needed
- Well-Woman Visits - Routine medical care for clients, such as yearly gynecology and pap tests
- Men’s Program/Mentorship - Offers support, education, and resources to expectant and parenting fathers, empowering them to navigate fatherhood with confidence
- Community Referrals/Networking - Provides referrals for community resources, which may include housing, healthcare, food pantries, professional counseling, childcare, legal assistance, and more
- Virtual Support - Some education and consulting services are available virtually
- Perinatal Hospice - Offers support to families who choose to continue a pregnancy after receiving a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis
- Sexual Health Program - Offers clients education and consultation services discussing sexual health, which may include abstinence, fertility awareness, STIs, and more
For questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Last updated May 2025
Advocate for Life
Option Line: Find 24/7 Pregnancy Help
Bilingual pregnancy help, plus real-time connections to nurses for telehealth consultations and to Heartbeat’s 3,800+ pregnancy help organizations worldwide.
Use the zip code locator at OptionLine.org to identify local pregnancy help locations.
Maternity Housing Coalition
Find housing availability nationwide for women. Plus, stay up-to-date on the 50+ new maternity housing programs launching in the coming year through the Heartbeat network.
Prenatal Diagnosis
Help families experiencing pressure to abort following an adverse prenatal diagnosis find life-affirming medical help 24/7 and personal support through local parent care coordinators.
Abortion Pill Rescue® Network
Direct those considering or who regret starting a chemical abortion to immediate medical help for Abortion Pill Reversal worldwide.
PregnancyHelpNews.com
Follow the latest news of global pregnancy help and stories of hope.
PregnancyHelpPodcast.com
Subscribe for updating and equipping in your pregnancy help work.
To stay connected with the life-affirming pregnancy help community, follow Heartbeat International on:
MHC Regional Event - OH
Co-hosted by MHC & Hannah's Home
Join us for our next regional event for maternity housing organizations!
WHERE
Hannah’s Home
8525 Lakeshore Blvd #1516
Mentor, OH 44060
WHEN
July 21, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and networking
Lunch provided.
Statistics Show 7k+ Lives Saved Through APRN
We're so excited to announce a new milestone for the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network! Join with us as we celebrate the life-changing and life-saving work of APRN:
Click here to learn more about this life-saving process and the families it has saved.
