by Christopher Bell, Good Counsel Homes

What was your response to the Planned Parenthood revelations?

As a pregnancy help leader, perhaps the horror of abortion gets you moving every moment of every day. But perhaps you came into the life-affirming work via another path—a path that emphasized serving women, sheltering the homeless, or supporting job readiness. Maybe you haven’t had to think seriously about abortion per se. Maybe your home avoids the topic altogether, wanting to stay out of the political crosshairs.

Yet, as Americans, we’ve been confronted with new knowledge. The new abomination of Planned Parenthood’s evil work made present in the undercover videos is outrageous for even the most nonchalant pro-lifer. In the name of research and science, we now know that Planned Parenthood dismembers little ones and sells their body parts.

And so I ask, might God also be calling upon maternity homes to do more?

At times like these, in our unique role, might we be called upon to speak out?

We know that God can bring good out of every sin (Romans 8:28). What is the great good the Lord might be bringing forth from all this? What can we do in the face of these new revulsions to bring the Lord’s Light and Grace?

I offer four suggestions for your reflection:

1) The Truth will set us free.
Use the platform that you have to educate the public further by pointing to these new revelations. In public speaking, letters, websites, and social media, don’t hesitate to show the contrast: maternity homes help pregnant women in need; Planned Parenthood not only takes the lives of children, but further disrespects their human remains. If you have a personal story of a mom who was at a Planned Parenthood, share it.

Be a voice of Truth. Education is the first step for many to become motivated to get involved. For those who are already involved, knowledge is further power to act more decisively and boldly. Many respond to the information about Planned Parenthood with a desire to “do something.” The “something” may very well be meeting the needs of your home!

2) Understand that healing and hope is needed for those who are suffering more after these revelations.
Many women and men who’ve been involved with an abortion are now suffering in a new way, thinking of how grossly treated was the body of their baby. Always, as you educate about the horrible acts of Planned Parenthood, offer the healing help of post-abortion ministries. Those who have honestly faced their decision to abort “can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life.” (Evangelium Vitae, #99) Maternity homes are a wonderful place to speak of about mercy and healing.

3) Use your home as a transformative stage.
Maybe you’ve tried to keep your mission away from politics. Even though a 501(c)(3) is allowed to advocate on behalf of legislation, you’ve believed that your organization and mission should not engage in the political process at all. Think and pray about this; go to your Board or ask your Board to pray hard about this. If ever there was a time to call on our elected officials to not use our tax dollars to support an organization that dismembers babies, it is now. Consider asking your supporters online and off, in person and in writing, to have elected officials commit to defunding Planned Parenthood.

4) Pray hard to ask the Lord what more must we do.
You already give deeply via your work but perhaps the Spirit is calling forth a new project or witness. What more must we do to eradicate this evil from our land? Perhaps the only reason the Lord has held back a just judgment upon this nation is that there are at least 10 good people living in our midst. That is all God sought before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Gen 18:32). The evil that our culture has permitted is now clearer than ever. With a bold and lively faith, it is time to steward God’s vision for human life, protected and cherished.

As you well know, in serving others we are serving the Lord. At times like these we have to serve the Lord by speaking the truth, calling others to action and sharing the vision that we can realize a culture that is abortion-free.

by Jennifer Minor, Editor/Writer

I don’t know if you think much about light, but I usually don’t.

Most days, I take it for granted. All I have to do is flip a switch when I walk into a room and the darkness is chased away. That, of course, is the beauty of light. It can’t be overcome by darkness.

Now maybe this is a human failing, but I can’t just let it sit there. I have a lot more to think about with light and darkness. For example, especially as the seasons change and the days get shorter, I find myself sitting in a room that’s perfectly well-lit in the afternoon, but discovering an hour or so later that I can’t see what I’m reading or working on.

The light escapes, and I don’t notice.

It’s a simple solution – just flip a switch – but I can’t help but worry and wonder about why I never noticed the light leaving. I notice when a light bulb goes out, when a match is struck, when a campfire sputters out, when the first light of dawn sneaks through my window to wake me up. That’s just it though; I notice the change in light, and even then, only dramatic changes.

That’s why I take electric lights for granted, and even the sun on nice days. I forget about the light, and with it, the possibility of darkness.

Candles though, always draw my attention. They don’t change significantly, but they do flicker. They change just enough to keep my eyes on them.

I think that must be the kind of light that Jesus is talking about when He says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

A candle not only draws attention so that it may be seen, but it also carries an incredible potential to spread light. Now, I know a single candle in a dark room may not seem like much, but at my favorite church service of the year, something else amazing happens. We start with just one candle, the one that represents Christ, and everyone in the church holds their own little candle. One person lights their candle from the Christ candle, and then spreads the light. In a very short amount of time, hundreds of candles are shining and everyone can see because the darkness is being overcome.

This is extraordinarily beautiful, even if it's very simple. Every candle in that church gave away some of its light so another could be lit, but it didn’t lose anything. In fact, the flame grew and changed more than the usual flickering when it touched a second wick. It doubles in size. It can multiply, but not divide.

And a wick that’s been lit before, even if the flame goes out, is easier to light a second time.

So that’s my challenge to you. Be a candle. Light other’s candles without fear of losing something that you have. God doesn’t work that way. He is love and light.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Servants of Excellence

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

John 10:10 is, as one of my friends says, “a refrigerator verse.” We post it online, in our homes (perhaps on our refrigerator!) and talk of it often. Almost all of us know these words in some context.

But do we believe it?

The other day I attended the funeral of an older friend; she was a gospel singer who performed all over the world and even at the White House. But as friends talked of her life, I realized something much greater about her than her singing voice: She lived abundantly.

At 21, she was a pastor’s wife, a mother of three (married at 17), was teaching herself how to play the organ so the small church could have music each week, and teaching Bible studies. She and her husband, trying to figure out life, were even counseling older, married couples.

She did it all. But through it all she loved others. She celebrated every single life that came in touch with hers. And, she loved God.

Beside her casket was a photo of her in later life, throwing her head back in laughter. I remember that laughter well. The last time we talked together, we talked of her brain cancer. “They say I’m losing my mind,” she said. “That’s been happening my whole life!” And through the challenges she would say often, “I’m not afraid.”

She was right. She was never afraid of the future. As a hospice nurse came into her room on one of her last days she could speak, she said to the nurse, “How can I pray for you, darling?” That’s the picture of an abundant life.

An abundant life is one where we are so focused on following Jesus Christ that we have less and less time to focus on the circumstances of the day. It is a life of adventure, of joy.

The abundant life takes us on fantastic journeys into another realm where pessimism is replaced with hope, where fear is replaced by faith. A life where sometimes God asks us to do what conventional wisdom would call unthinkable, crazy or silly.

But we follow anyway, with a mischievous smile and a thrill in our hearts—because we are living in another world, a world unseen by the conventional wisdom of the day.

As we enter a new year, let’s choose the journey of the abundant life. We don’t know where the path leads, but isn’t that the fun of living in the heart of God’s will?

by Kirk Walden, Advancement Specialist

What is your response when a client or person questioning you wants proof of your claim that life begins and is complete at conception?

Can you prove the validity from medical literature?

This compilation of 41 quotes from Medical Textbooks proving human life begins at conception is an invaluable citation list to use when asked for references, for utilization in your center to train staff, for addressing clients and for documentation.

Click here for the compiled list!

by Kelly Russell, Encouragement Expert

We have the idea that life should happen the way we want, when we want. Our expectations often exceed reality. A perfect scenario is created in our minds and when life takes a different turn, we lose heart. Jesus said not to be troubled but be at peace (Matthew 16:23). Only God can arrange things in such a way that we benefit best and He is glorified most. As Jeremiah wrote, “Who is the clay to say to the Potter, why are you doing it that way?” God sees us as a finished product, not a work in progress.

Our rough places must be made smooth to shape us into the image of Christ. Our primary calling isn’t to “do” or “go”, but to become. God is more concerned about pure hearts than polished lives.

We can only ever know what God is willing to reveal. He knows the beginning from the end, and He works all things together for good to those who love Him. Knowing God is knowing enough. In Christ all wisdom is found (Colossians 2:3). Why are we not content with this alone? Our human desire is to know more; God’s desire is for us to know HIM more. If we knew what God knows, we would choose His will every time. We doubt what we can’t see and believe what we do see. Jesus said those who believe without seeing are blessed (John 20:29).

God’s Truth is not to be found in our feelings, but always in His unfailing Word. God’s promises are unlimited but we limit them with our doubt and unbelief. Numbers 23:19 says, God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Let these words deflate doubt and undo unbelief. Read it and believe it! We kick out the doubt with faith, which comes through God’s Word.

The solution to unbelief is to ask God for help (Mark 9:23-24). Doubt derails and discourages us. Saturating ourselves in Scripture slams the door on doubt and discouragement. God’s presence eclipses every one of our struggles.

Christ followers are called to the same purpose every day—to take up the cross and lay down their lives. In denying ourselves, we can truly rely on Christ and His resurrection power. If my life is in my hands then the cross cannot be (Mark 8:34). Our goal is eternity, therefore our focus should be the same. It’s not our circumstances we need to be in touch with, but the Savior Himself. On our journey with the Lord, may He become greater while we become less.

Read: Isaiah 45:9; John 3:30; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Timothy 6:6-7

 Kelly Russell was raised in a military family, traveling around the world. She now lives in Melbourne Fla., where she and her husband serve in the leadership of their church. Kelly's heart is to encourage people with passion and conviction through the gift of words.

Servants of Excellence

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” I Timothy 1:15

Paul’s famous statement that he was the “foremost” of all sinners is not extraordinary because he is stating a fact. Instead, it is powerful because of Paul’s perspective, a point of view which exemplifies humility.

Was Paul really the number one sinner in the world at that point in history? Surely not. And this is the same Paul who encourages others to imitate him and his walk of faith (I Cor. 4:16) and who explains his past behavior by saying “Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief” (I Tim. 1:13).

What’s important here is Paul’s point of view. Just as Jesus told us to “first get the log out of your own eye” before correcting others (Matt. 7:3-5), Paul is using this foundational teaching to remind himself and his readers that neither he nor any of us is beyond the need for redemption.

This is, in every sense of the word, a “humble” perspective. We need this, every day.

In our mission, we see many who are struggling with various moral challenges. To effectively reach those we see, our first stop on this journey is to think of ourselves as Paul described, as “foremost of all sinners.” Without berating ourselves, this is a point of view which simply acknowledges that we too, have faults. They may not be the same faults of those we see, but they are shortcomings nonetheless.

Once we see ourselves as “foremost,” our point of view toward the person in front of us changes. Instead of “I need to tell you that . . .” we see this as a “Let’s walk this journey together” moment. From there, the conversation takes a new direction.

The good news is, Paul didn’t spend time dwelling on his sinfulness, and neither should we. He glanced at his standing as a sinner, but gazed on the grace of God and the road in front of him that would lead to glory.

So can we. When we choose the right focus from the right perspective, those who come in our door will be able to see the love of God within us. And this is where lives are changed.

by Kirk Walden, Advancement Specialist

by Hannah Sapp, Heartbeat International

With its slogan “because you’re worth it,” L’Oréal has caught on to a crucial aspect of personhood. Self-worth that shapes how we treat ourselves and others, and a majority of the young girls and women that seek pregnancy help don’t have the understanding that they are “worth it.”

Everyone wants to know they are worth it. The issue is whether or not we are using the right basis to determine our self-worth.

• Does worth come from looking good with the help of make-up?
• Does it come from promiscuity and sexual attention?
• Does it come from acceptance and fitting in with the crowd?
• Does it come from a father who tells us who we are?

Yes, we know that our identity is found in Christ, and that He calls us adopted daughters and sons, but how can we convey that to a client with a negative pregnancy test? She is usually already disengaged, feeling the relief that, “It’s over. I’m safe this time.”

We have the opportunity to show each woman a snippet of her true value, as both an image-bearer of God and one for whom Christ died. As we labor to show each woman her value, it’s essential that we help her understand how this affects her relationships both with the opposite sex, and with everyone involved in her life.

At the 2015 Heartbeat International Annual Conference, Joneen Mackenzie, President of The Center for Relationship Education, brought a fresh perspective to sexual integrity and self-worth.

In her workshop, “Building Skills for Life and Love,” Joneen shared that caring for young people in a holistic manner includes not only focusing on sexuality, but also, teaches them how to deal with issues of the heart. She presents a view that goes beyond “mere abstinence,” and teaches concepts like life mapping and learning to live and love well—all because, “you’re worth it.”

Using hands-on examples, Joneen’s workshop teaches students to understand and find healthy ways to express their self-worth in relationships.

Helping clients learn to identify their own feelings is key to building healthy relationships, Joneen says. Most teens can identify their feelings simplistically (happy, sad, mad, glad), but few can recognize more complex feelings. Giving them a list of feelings to choose from can help them become more emotionally intelligent.

The more a client can understand her own feelings, the more empowered she is to change unhealthy relationships and address the patterns that cause them. It’s also equally important to help a client understand that feelings themselves aren’t right or wrong, but potential indicators of the deeper realities and beliefs connected to self-worth.

The process of helping a client understand her worth also includes helping her see her value through simple personality tests that point out strengths, challenges, values, needs, and motivators. One fun, engaging test is the Five Minute Personality Test, which Joneen recommends as springboard to help a client grasp that she is a uniquely designed individual who is worthy of self-respect.

Joneen’s contribution to the sexual integrity conversation is compelling and safe, as valuable tools to building a healthy life in all aspects. When a client feels loved and respected, she may return for more guidance, open up, and trust you to speak into her life.

These hands-on models help to build relationships, relationships, relationships!

by Debra Neybert, Training Specialist

The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here...” When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.
Exodus 24: 12; 15-16

The Lord’s presence meant everything to Moses, in fact at one time he declared, "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) A few verses later, he prays, "Please, let me see your Glory" (Ex. 33:18). Moses had such a desire for something more, something eternal. He wanted to behold God face to face, and his desire was satisfied according to Deuteronomy 34:10.

How was Moses prepared for His encounters with the Lord? For a season he lived in the wilderness 40 years when suddenly, one ordinary day became an extraordinary day when... “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush. (Exodus 3:2-4)

The book of Hebrews gives us more insight into the relationship the Lord had with Moses. In the eleventh chapter it says, “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:25-26). The word for “looked or looking” in the Greek, is apoblepo, (away from) and blepo (to look), hence to “look away from” all else. Moses turned his gaze away from everything, and fixed his gaze on a reward that waited for him beyond this present age.

In verse 27 it says, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” Moses was able to persevere because “he saw” the unseen real. When our eyes of faith are fixed on the King of all Kings, we will walk by faith, not fearing the kings of this earth, persevering through tribulation and trials because “the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.”

Amazing! Moses first turned aside to see, then he chose to look ahead to his reward, and eventually he saw Him who was invisible. When Moses died at the age of 120 years, the Bible says his eye was “not dimmed” (Deuteronomy 34:7).

We naturally gravitate toward the things we set our sight on; and when our sight is set on things above, we ascend!

Moses was invited into the cloud of God’s Glory on the seventh day. The seventh day is when God rested from creating heaven and earth. (Exodus 31:17). It is out of that place of rest...ceasing from our works that the Lord calls us from within “the cloud.” He calls us as a lover calls his beloved. There will always be things to do and places to go, but will we take the time to turn aside and see, look ahead, and behold Him who is invisible? In the seeing we are drawn into that secret place, and there really is no other relationship on earth that fulfills like knowing our Beloved Jesus, the one who “knows us best and loves us most!”

Heartbeat International Annual Conference 
Birmingham, AL  |  April 30 - May 2, 2025

(Pre-Conference Events will be held April 29, 2025)

Key Dates to Remember

• August - Call for presenters
• September 30- Deadline for submitting proposals
• November 10- Proposal status updates (yes/no) emailed to submitters
• November 30 - Confirmation/commitment from presenter received
• January - March - Pre-recording of in-person and virtual workshops.
• April 30- May 2, 2025 - Heartbeat International Annual Conference

General Submission Guidelines 

Submissions for The Annual Conference must be:

• Practical
• Relevant
• Compelling
• Non-commercial in content
• Non-compete with a current Heartbeat program

Special Notes:

1. Heartbeat Affiliates and Exhibitors may be prioritized. Heartbeat International affiliation and/or exhibiting is preferred, but not a requirement for submission. All are welcome to submit a workshop proposal.

2. Submission does not guarantee selection. We are blessed each year with more submissions than workshop slots, so submission does not guarantee selection. Proposals will be evaluated in light of the course description, learning objectives, presenters’ credentials and expertise, past evaluations of presenters from previous Conference workshops, and the overall needs of the Conference program. Presenters selected for the Conference will be notified directly at the contact information provided. Only the person submitting the workshop information is being considered as the primary presenter, if approved. 

3. Conference Focus. Required teaching content is 60 minutes (mandatory for CEUs). You agree not to promote or request support for your own organization or its services but to provide valuable teaching content and information on your area(s) of expertise, including practices and takeaways that meet Heartbeat’s submission guidelines.

4. Please note the level of your workshop submission (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced). We will seek to offer a blend of all three levels in our training tracks.

5. Connect to the Conference theme. Although not required, you are welcome to connect your title and content with the Conference theme, "Together Toward Tomorrow" with a focus on Proverbs 27:17. Heartbeat reserves the right to edit the workshop title for marketing purposes and modify the course description.

6. Learn About Your Audience. Heartbeat International's Annual Conference is designed for ministry leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers of life-affirming pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and non-profit adoption agencies, as well as professionals in the areas of medicine, counseling, social work, and education.

• Executive Directors - Leadership is best when equipped, encouraged, and engaged. This Conference includes tactical techniques, spiritual support, and everything in between.
• Key Staff/Volunteers - Deepen your understanding by accessing the Track or Workshops of your area of ministry work - or broaden your information and inspiration by learning about related matters.
• Medical Personnel - While our Medical Track features professionals who can speak the medical language and your passion for life, other topics may be of interest to enhance you and your ministry.
• Board Members - Governance is a high calling and one that is informed by experience and understanding. Strategic Leadership topics will strengthen your knowledge and wisdom.
• Housing Professionals - Housing ministries provide long-term, in-depth support for women during pregnancy and beyond. Join other housing ministry leaders in discussing the joys and challenges unique to residential programs.
• Internationals - Pregnancy help ministries exist all over the world and they encounter the same concerns U.S. centers have every day. This Conference is proud to include international guests from six continents.

Content Guidelines

The majority of workshop submissions should be oriented toward the Pregnancy Help Community (pregnancy centers, medical clinics, maternity homes and adoption agencies). This year our workshop tracks will encompass similar topics as listed below:

1. Leadership/Management
2. Medical
3. Fundraising/Development
4. Prevention (Sexual Integrity, Sexual Health)
5. Intervention (Client Culture, Client Programs)
6. Board Business
7. Marketing to Clients
8. Staffing/Human Resources Considerations
9. Extended Care (Housing, Adoption, etc.)
10. Healing (Abortion Recovery, Spiritual Wholeness, Emotional Health, Addiction Recovery)

If your proposal is selected, you will receive additional information about recording and registration procedures. Workshop presenters generally cover their own Conference registration fees, travel and lodging expenses. As a thank you, Heartbeat will provide the primary presenter with a discounted rate for attending the Conference.

Servants of Excellence

“Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” Gal. 3:6-7

For Abraham, believing God was, without doubt, the most challenging time of his life. We have read the rest of Abraham’s story, a story of God’s intervention after Abraham was willing to entrust his own son to God.

Yet, Abraham wasn’t able to read the rest of the story. He had to trust in a God he only knew on his own. Think about it; Abraham came before Moses, the Exodus and The Red Sea. He knew nothing of Joshua, of the Walls of Jericho, or of David and Goliath.

This is a man who had to trust wholly in God’s communication with him. And he did.

We usually think of “believing” as a point of agreement or intellectual assent to an idea, as in “I believe you when you say you will be here at nine o’clock.” But for Abraham, believing meant he had to act. He had to take Isaac out of their home, on a journey that he believed could end the life of his precious first-born.

Our “believing God” takes on the same characteristics as Abraham’s. If we walk through the Greek understanding of the word “Believe,” we will see that it means to “trust in, rely on, adhere to.” That’s what Abraham did. And God saw this as righteousness.

When we believe God in our work, in our families and in our everyday lives, we are saying in essence, “We trust in your ways, oh God, even when the lives we lead and the decisions we make aren’t understood by the world around us.”

It is this believing that our clients and patients should see in us; a belief that trusts in God even when we can’t see what the future holds. If we believe, those who come in our doors can catch our trust in God, and perhaps for the first time, see what it means to live a life of faith.

Like Abraham, we believe. And when we do, God turns to His right hand and says to Jesus, “Now there is a righteous one.”

That’s something worth believing in.

by Kirk Walden, Advancement Specialist