Displaying items by tag: harvest

by Kathy Jerman, Director of Affiliate Services

In the work we do, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s next—the next client, grant, or event. We talk about goals, impact, and growth. And rightly so. Numbers matter. But let’s not forget: people are the numbers. Every statistic is a name, a face, a life that matters deeply to God.

I want to share a story that reminds me to slow down and see the harvest right in front of me.

A Seed Planted

Over a decade ago, before I worked at a pregnancy center, I met Destiny. She was 18, newly pregnant, and scared. A mutual friend introduced us, and I invited her to the Teen MOPS group my friend Amy and I had just launched. Teen MOPS (Teen Mothers of Preschoolers) is a support group for young moms.

Destiny declined—shy, anxious, and overwhelmed. Not long after, she miscarried. I sent her a book that had brought me comfort during my miscarriage years earlier, and she thanked me sincerely. That simple gesture planted a seed.

Staying Connected

Destiny moved forward—working jobs, starting college—but stayed connected. While working at a pizza place, she convinced her manager to donate pizzas to our Teen MOPS group because she believed in what we were doing. Later, when pregnant again, she came—hesitant but brave. She found encouragement there and was inspired by the other young moms.

By the time her baby was born, I was on staff at our local pregnancy center, and a few years later, I became Executive Director. Destiny stayed in touch and, with each pregnancy, returned for ultrasounds.

Over the years, Amy, the nurse manager I had hired, and I walked with Destiny through parenting, relationship struggles, and life transitions. She donated gently used baby items, referred friends, and even told me about a community grant through her new job. We applied--and have received that grant every year.

A Critical Crossroads

Then came her fifth pregnancy. It was high-risk and came soon after her fourth. The pressure to abort was intense—even from her doctor’s office. She and Devin, now her fiancé, were scared and overwhelmed. They felt abortion was their only option. But in the middle of that storm, our team was there. At her ultrasound appointment, Amy gently walked Destiny through the facts and risks of abortion, while Devin spoke with one of our male advocates. Still, they left undecided.

Over the following weeks, Amy and I exchanged countless late-night texts with Destiny. She wrestled with fear, doubt, and exhaustion. We reminded her that she was already a loving mother—and that she and Devin were great parents. Raising a fifth child would be hard, yes—but so worth it.

The Turning Point

Early in the pregnancy, they took a family trip to Florida and passed several pro-life billboards. Destiny later told us, “It was like God was speaking directly to us.” That time away gave them space to reflect without outside pressure. The messages they saw helped shift their perspective. Together, they chose life. 

A Full-Circle Moment

That baby—Dayanna—was featured in a video testimony we recorded for our fall banquet when Destiny was nearly nine months pregnant. They attended the banquet with their newborn in their arms. Afterward, Destiny told us,  “So many people thanked me for keeping my baby. It opened my eyes. People do care.”

A few months later, she invited Amy and me to witness her baptism. We stood beside her on stage as she shared her testimony, and I had the privilege of praying over her. That moment was one of those rare, sacred glimpses of God’s faithfulness—a powerful reminder of the life-affirming work we’re so privileged to be part of.

A Message I’ll Never Forget

Earlier this year, she texted me:

“Kathy, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. You're amazing. Thank you for convincing me to keep Dayanna.
She is my world… Your heart is so pure. ❤️ Love you, dude.”

Don’t Miss the Harvest

Friends, we are seed-planters. But if we don’t pause to look, we might miss the harvest that’s already growing. It may not come with applause or recognition. Sometimes, it’s seen in tiny hands and feet—or in the tearful testimony of a life forever changed.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
                                                      —Galatians 6:9