Pro-Life from Womb to Tomb [TGC Podcast - Ep. 382]

I am joined by some lovely ladies um and I am joined by some lovely ladies um and I am excited to have them to introduce I am excited to have them to introduce I am excited to have them to introduce themselves so you can know who they are themselves so you can know who they are themselves so you can know who they are and where they're from and if you want and where they're from and if you want and where they're from and if you want to share a fun fact you can do that to share a fun fact you can do that to share a fun fact you can do that too okay allar I'm Lauren McAfee I am too okay allar I'm Lauren McAfee I am too okay allar I'm Lauren McAfee I am from Oklahoma City and I am married to from Oklahoma City and I am married to from Oklahoma City and I am married to my husband Michael we will celebrate 15 my husband Michael we will celebrate 15 my husband Michael we will celebrate 15 years later this summer and my husband years later this summer and my husband years later this summer and my husband and I met when we were seven years old and I met when we were seven years old and I met when we were seven years old so we are Sunday school sweethearts so we are Sunday school sweethearts so we are Sunday school sweethearts that's where we that's where we that's where we met um and we together have two met um and we together have two met um and we together have two daughters through the blessing of daughters through the blessing of daughters through the blessing of adoption and our daughters um Zion is adoption and our daughters um Zion is adoption and our daughters um Zion is six and Zara is one so um I am the six and Zara is one so um I am the six and Zara is one so um I am the founder of stand for life so we have a founder of stand for life so we have a founder of stand for life so we have a booth out there and I am also a PhD booth out there and I am also a PhD booth out there and I am also a PhD student studying ethics and public student studying ethics and public student studying ethics and public policy focusing on W uh issues of policy focusing on W uh issues of policy focusing on W uh issues of women's reproductive health so I kind of women's reproductive health so I kind of women's reproductive health so I kind of live in the in and around the pro-life live in the in and around the pro-life live in the in and around the pro-life space through both um my work my space through both um my work my space through both um my work my personal story as well as um my studies personal story as well as um my studies personal story as well as um my studies so that's me hi my name is Missy branch so that's me hi my name is Missy branch so that's me hi my name is Missy branch and I actually work for the organization and I actually work for the organization and I actually work for the organization that Lauren founded I love it um my that Lauren founded I love it um my that Lauren founded I love it um my title is VP of community engagement and title is VP of community engagement and title is VP of community engagement and I think the way that I have uh come into I think the way that I have uh come into I think the way that I have uh come into even this kind of work is really just by even this kind of work is really just by even this kind of work is really just by the Lord's Sovereign the way you might the Lord's Sovereign the way you might the Lord's Sovereign the way you might have wound up in this room right the have wound up in this room right the have wound up in this room right the Lord's kindness um I have four kids Lord's kindness um I have four kids Lord's kindness um I have four kids they're grown one of them's been bossing they're grown one of them's been bossing they're grown one of them's been bossing me around this conference all week so me around this conference all week so me around this conference all week so having a good time and um I just I used

having a good time and um I just I used having a good time and um I just I used to work at Southeastern Seminary and the to work at Southeastern Seminary and the to work at Southeastern Seminary and the the work there really taught me the the work there really taught me the the work there really taught me the value of quality education theological value of quality education theological value of quality education theological education and just knowing God's education and just knowing God's education and just knowing God's word my name is Brie Sten rude and I am word my name is Brie Sten rude and I am word my name is Brie Sten rude and I am the former director of sanc of human the former director of sanc of human the former director of sanc of human life at focus on the family and now I am life at focus on the family and now I am life at focus on the family and now I am the director of women of Welcome which the director of women of Welcome which the director of women of Welcome which is a project of world relief um and this is a project of world relief um and this is a project of world relief um and this is a community of women who seek to is a community of women who seek to is a community of women who seek to engage issues of immigrants and refugees engage issues of immigrants and refugees engage issues of immigrants and refugees from a Biblical perspective instead of a from a Biblical perspective instead of a from a Biblical perspective instead of a politically partisan perspective we want politically partisan perspective we want politically partisan perspective we want to know what the word of God says about to know what the word of God says about to know what the word of God says about how to treat image Bears across the how to treat image Bears across the how to treat image Bears across the whole spectrum of life and I just whole spectrum of life and I just whole spectrum of life and I just happened to have landed used to be in happened to have landed used to be in happened to have landed used to be in the pre-born space and then got into the the pre-born space and then got into the the pre-born space and then got into the adoption and then the foster care space adoption and then the foster care space adoption and then the foster care space adopting myself personally um and then adopting myself personally um and then adopting myself personally um and then kind of got called into this really fun kind of got called into this really fun kind of got called into this really fun topic of immigration so um I live in topic of immigration so um I live in topic of immigration so um I live in Colorado Springs Colorado I have two Colorado Springs Colorado I have two Colorado Springs Colorado I have two kids um I serve on the board of the kids um I serve on the board of the kids um I serve on the board of the National Association of National Association of National Association of evangelicals and I love doing this kind evangelicals and I love doing this kind evangelicals and I love doing this kind of conversation because I believe that of conversation because I believe that of conversation because I believe that women are hungry to have hard women are hungry to have hard women are hungry to have hard conversations but good ones that are conversations but good ones that are conversations but good ones that are full of conviction so I'm really glad full of conviction so I'm really glad full of conviction so I'm really glad that you're here because I think you that you're here because I think you that you're here because I think you probably have compassion and hopefully probably have compassion and hopefully probably have compassion and hopefully this panel will be able to attach this panel will be able to attach this panel will be able to attach confidence to that compassion so I'm confidence to that compassion so I'm confidence to that compassion so I'm glad you're here y'all can tell already glad you're here y'all can tell already glad you're here y'all can tell already that this is going to be good that this is going to be good that this is going to be good um so as each one has already kind of

um so as each one has already kind of um so as each one has already kind of alluded this is a very important topic alluded this is a very important topic alluded this is a very important topic but often a very hard topic to gauge um but often a very hard topic to gauge um but often a very hard topic to gauge um as I was thinking and preparing I as I was thinking and preparing I as I was thinking and preparing I started doing a little digging online started doing a little digging online started doing a little digging online and um a LifeWay study from a couple of and um a LifeWay study from a couple of and um a LifeWay study from a couple of years ago um basically showed that seven years ago um basically showed that seven years ago um basically showed that seven out of 10 Evangelical women um means out of 10 Evangelical women um means out of 10 Evangelical women um means women who are identifying as Christians women who are identifying as Christians women who are identifying as Christians seven out of 10 have had seven out of 10 have had seven out of 10 have had abortions now pause because this is not abortions now pause because this is not abortions now pause because this is not a shame time because if I'm being honest a shame time because if I'm being honest a shame time because if I'm being honest I'm one of those seven and I'm one of those seven and I'm one of those seven and 10 that is something that I thought 10 that is something that I thought 10 that is something that I thought would be tucked away in the closet in would be tucked away in the closet in would be tucked away in the closet in the skeletons of My Life um and when I the skeletons of My Life um and when I the skeletons of My Life um and when I came to Christ I carried an immense came to Christ I carried an immense came to Christ I carried an immense amount of Shame and guilt so much so amount of Shame and guilt so much so amount of Shame and guilt so much so that I lost my voice to speak out on that I lost my voice to speak out on that I lost my voice to speak out on this issue because of the guilt and the this issue because of the guilt and the this issue because of the guilt and the shame that I carried and so I think shame that I carried and so I think shame that I carried and so I think because we are Evangelical women in here because we are Evangelical women in here because we are Evangelical women in here and we all I think the consensus is we and we all I think the consensus is we and we all I think the consensus is we all know that pro-life is the right all know that pro-life is the right all know that pro-life is the right way but what I would hope from this way but what I would hope from this way but what I would hope from this panel is that everyone would walk out of panel is that everyone would walk out of panel is that everyone would walk out of this room whether you have been impacted this room whether you have been impacted this room whether you have been impacted by abortion personally or not but that by abortion personally or not but that by abortion personally or not but that you would walk out of this room finding

you would walk out of this room finding you would walk out of this room finding your voice to speak up and to be able to your voice to speak up and to be able to your voice to speak up and to be able to defend the sanctity of life and to know defend the sanctity of life and to know defend the sanctity of life and to know that every life Matters from womb to that every life Matters from womb to that every life Matters from womb to tomb okay so with that being said I want tomb okay so with that being said I want tomb okay so with that being said I want to just throw this out with our ladies to just throw this out with our ladies to just throw this out with our ladies how or why do you believe it is crucial how or why do you believe it is crucial how or why do you believe it is crucial for women in the church for women in the church for women in the church to engage in discussions like the one to engage in discussions like the one to engage in discussions like the one that we are having today regarding the that we are having today regarding the that we are having today regarding the pro-life pro-life pro-life movement I think that this is an movement I think that this is an movement I think that this is an important issue because it as you important issue because it as you important issue because it as you mentioned already Porsha thank you so mentioned already Porsha thank you so mentioned already Porsha thank you so much for sharing that um your story it much for sharing that um your story it much for sharing that um your story it impacts uh our communities um not only impacts uh our communities um not only impacts uh our communities um not only for the women in our churches but also for the women in our churches but also for the women in our churches but also in the community around our churches and in the community around our churches and in the community around our churches and it's impacting conversations that are it's impacting conversations that are it's impacting conversations that are happening in public and political spaces happening in public and political spaces happening in public and political spaces and this is an issue that people are and this is an issue that people are and this is an issue that people are having conversations about and having conversations about and having conversations about and so it it is a it is a hard topic because so it it is a it is a hard topic because so it it is a it is a hard topic because of I think the way that the politics of of I think the way that the politics of of I think the way that the politics of it has made things so volatile but I uh it has made things so volatile but I uh it has made things so volatile but I uh in what we do at St for life we really in what we do at St for life we really in what we do at St for life we really approach the issue wanting to think approach the issue wanting to think approach the issue wanting to think about it theologically and ethically how about it theologically and ethically how about it theologically and ethically how do we how do we as Believers think about do we how do we as Believers think about do we how do we as Believers think about this issue and that is separate from this issue and that is separate from this issue and that is separate from politics because this is not first and politics because this is not first and politics because this is not first and foremost a political issue this is a foremost a political issue this is a foremost a political issue this is a theological issue if you are reading the theological issue if you are reading the theological issue if you are reading the Bible you will see the evidence of why Bible you will see the evidence of why Bible you will see the evidence of why this issue should matter for us and so

this issue should matter for us and so this issue should matter for us and so we see it in Genesis 1 God created man we see it in Genesis 1 God created man we see it in Genesis 1 God created man and woman in His image so everything and woman in His image so everything and woman in His image so everything that God created before that had not that God created before that had not that God created before that had not been called something that was an image been called something that was an image been called something that was an image bear it just been God spoken into bear it just been God spoken into bear it just been God spoken into existence and then God pauses and existence and then God pauses and existence and then God pauses and creates man and woman he says let us the creates man and woman he says let us the creates man and woman he says let us the Trinity let us create man and woman in Trinity let us create man and woman in Trinity let us create man and woman in our image in the image of God we are our image in the image of God we are our image in the image of God we are created so that means we as humans have created so that means we as humans have created so that means we as humans have this uniqueness about us and that we are this uniqueness about us and that we are this uniqueness about us and that we are image bearers and that every single image bearers and that every single image bearers and that every single person as an image Bearer has that person as an image Bearer has that person as an image Bearer has that unique dignity and value that is not unique dignity and value that is not unique dignity and value that is not based on anything we can do to perform based on anything we can do to perform based on anything we can do to perform or achieve but it is inherent in who we or achieve but it is inherent in who we or achieve but it is inherent in who we are because of who God has created us are because of who God has created us are because of who God has created us and so we as Believers should be able to and so we as Believers should be able to and so we as Believers should be able to speak to this issue with great speak to this issue with great speak to this issue with great confidence because of that um and have confidence because of that um and have confidence because of that um and have great conviction about it and um also great conviction about it and um also great conviction about it and um also have great compassion because as we have great compassion because as we have great compassion because as we engage we we see that every person we engage we we see that every person we engage we we see that every person we engage with whether we disagree with engage with whether we disagree with engage with whether we disagree with them on this issue whether we're having them on this issue whether we're having them on this issue whether we're having hard conversations with someone whether hard conversations with someone whether hard conversations with someone whether we're having a con conversation and we're having a con conversation and we're having a con conversation and stepping into the space of someone who stepping into the space of someone who stepping into the space of someone who is facing an unplay pregnancy we see is facing an unplay pregnancy we see is facing an unplay pregnancy we see them with the compassion and Love Of them with the compassion and Love Of them with the compassion and Love Of Christ and so um I think that this is an Christ and so um I think that this is an Christ and so um I think that this is an important issue for this moment for our important issue for this moment for our important issue for this moment for our churches to understand theologically why churches to understand theologically why churches to understand theologically why this it matters to us um because we are this it matters to us um because we are this it matters to us um because we are to be then living that out as an example

to be then living that out as an example to be then living that out as an example in a broken and hurting world so that in a broken and hurting world so that in a broken and hurting world so that hopefully as we do so we point to God we hopefully as we do so we point to God we hopefully as we do so we point to God we point to the Creator and the the one point to the Creator and the the one point to the Creator and the the one that created them as image bear and then that created them as image bear and then that created them as image bear and then also ultimately Point them to Christ who also ultimately Point them to Christ who also ultimately Point them to Christ who was the perfect image of God and came to was the perfect image of God and came to was the perfect image of God and came to Earth and lived that perfect life that Earth and lived that perfect life that Earth and lived that perfect life that we might be able to then um be an we might be able to then um be an we might be able to then um be an example and try and um point towards him example and try and um point towards him example and try and um point towards him so I think that this is really important so I think that this is really important so I think that this is really important because of all that because we as because of all that because we as because of all that because we as Believers should be those who are living Believers should be those who are living Believers should be those who are living out as an out as an out as an example um but we often fail at that example um but we often fail at that example um but we often fail at that unfortunately yeah I I would everything unfortunately yeah I I would everything unfortunately yeah I I would everything you say makes me just what comes to mind you say makes me just what comes to mind you say makes me just what comes to mind is that knowledge is power I think it's is that knowledge is power I think it's is that knowledge is power I think it's when people die for a lack of knowledge when people die for a lack of knowledge when people die for a lack of knowledge and I think in our communities we and I think in our communities we and I think in our communities we know uh on a certain level on a very know uh on a certain level on a very know uh on a certain level on a very basic level that we're pro-life and we basic level that we're pro-life and we basic level that we're pro-life and we know on a basic level that Jesus says know on a basic level that Jesus says know on a basic level that Jesus says this and Jesus says that but I don't this and Jesus says that but I don't this and Jesus says that but I don't think we know the depths of what it think we know the depths of what it think we know the depths of what it means to actually be pro-life and I means to actually be pro-life and I means to actually be pro-life and I think when we skate around the surface think when we skate around the surface think when we skate around the surface of this issue we really don't understand of this issue we really don't understand of this issue we really don't understand how many people are being affected and how many people are being affected and how many people are being affected and why people are being affected and the why people are being affected and the why people are being affected and the role we can play in changing role we can play in changing role we can play in changing that I think so second one too but I that I think so second one too but I that I think so second one too but I also I think it's so important for us to also I think it's so important for us to also I think it's so important for us to show up in the this conversation because show up in the this conversation because show up in the this conversation because your voice your voice your voice matters your matters your matters your experience experience experience matters you've had an abortion you've

matters you've had an abortion you've matters you've had an abortion you've had a miscarriage you've not you've not had a miscarriage you've not you've not had a miscarriage you've not you've not had had had either you either you either you matter you are a woman of God full of matter you are a woman of God full of matter you are a woman of God full of conviction and hopefully just as full of conviction and hopefully just as full of conviction and hopefully just as full of compassion and you can see all around compassion and you can see all around compassion and you can see all around the country where we're getting this the country where we're getting this the country where we're getting this wrong wrong wrong you can see all around the country where you can see all around the country where you can see all around the country where it is so volatile that sanity has gone it is so volatile that sanity has gone it is so volatile that sanity has gone out the window we need some sane women out the window we need some sane women out the window we need some sane women lifting their voice that are advocating lifting their voice that are advocating lifting their voice that are advocating not only against the violence of not only against the violence of not only against the violence of abortion because it harms a child but abortion because it harms a child but abortion because it harms a child but the violence of abortion because it the violence of abortion because it the violence of abortion because it harms a man and a woman and a family and harms a man and a woman and a family and harms a man and a woman and a family and a a a generation but also sound of mind to say generation but also sound of mind to say generation but also sound of mind to say we cannot we cannot we cannot legislate people's hearts and legislate people's hearts and legislate people's hearts and Minds laws save lives let's just be Minds laws save lives let's just be Minds laws save lives let's just be clear about that laws do save lives so clear about that laws do save lives so clear about that laws do save lives so it's important to legislate the ways it's important to legislate the ways it's important to legislate the ways that eliminate those Pathways to legal that eliminate those Pathways to legal that eliminate those Pathways to legal abortion but it is also as we all know abortion but it is also as we all know abortion but it is also as we all know women need good health care women need women need good health care women need women need good health care women need to be acknowledged in that waiting room to be acknowledged in that waiting room to be acknowledged in that waiting room women need to be acknowledged in that women need to be acknowledged in that women need to be acknowledged in that doctor's office but not in the way ways doctor's office but not in the way ways doctor's office but not in the way ways that the world is telling you to be that the world is telling you to be that the world is telling you to be acknowledged your body your choice that acknowledged your body your choice that acknowledged your body your choice that that's not what we're believing in it is that's not what we're believing in it is that's not what we're believing in it is our body it's also another image our body it's also another image our body it's also another image bearer's body as well so we have to be

bearer's body as well so we have to be bearer's body as well so we have to be women that say all right we're not going women that say all right we're not going women that say all right we're not going to join the fry of to join the fry of to join the fry of crazy we're going to show up with crazy we're going to show up with crazy we're going to show up with conviction and say yeah abortion is a conviction and say yeah abortion is a conviction and say yeah abortion is a violence against human beings it also is violence against human beings it also is violence against human beings it also is something that needs to be paired with something that needs to be paired with something that needs to be paired with very tangible supports for women and very tangible supports for women and very tangible supports for women and that makes sense so some of this that makes sense so some of this that makes sense so some of this legislative talk that is happening is legislative talk that is happening is legislative talk that is happening is bananas and we have to call it as such bananas and we have to call it as such bananas and we have to call it as such and if we don't show up as women full of and if we don't show up as women full of and if we don't show up as women full of conviction who love Jesus to do that conviction who love Jesus to do that conviction who love Jesus to do that other people will make craziness happen other people will make craziness happen other people will make craziness happen for this movement and for our for this movement and for our for this movement and for our communities and personally for us communities and personally for us communities and personally for us individually as well so we ha we have to individually as well so we ha we have to individually as well so we ha we have to it's of utmost importance that our it's of utmost importance that our it's of utmost importance that our conviction show up in this space because conviction show up in this space because conviction show up in this space because otherwise it's it it'll go off the rails otherwise it's it it'll go off the rails otherwise it's it it'll go off the rails as we see it doing in so many states as we see it doing in so many states as we see it doing in so many states amen amen so I like where you're leading amen amen so I like where you're leading amen amen so I like where you're leading us here in terms of tangible ways to us here in terms of tangible ways to us here in terms of tangible ways to support women and I think that lends support women and I think that lends support women and I think that lends itself to this whole topic of prolife itself to this whole topic of prolife itself to this whole topic of prolife for all of life I've found that there is for all of life I've found that there is for all of life I've found that there is a difference in a difference in a difference in being pro-life and just being pro-life and just being pro-life and just anti-abortion there's a difference and anti-abortion there's a difference and anti-abortion there's a difference and there are a lot of people who are there are a lot of people who are there are a lot of people who are anti-abortion but they're not pro-life anti-abortion but they're not pro-life anti-abortion but they're not pro-life whether they are just ignorant of whether they are just ignorant of whether they are just ignorant of knowing how to live that out or they you knowing how to live that out or they you knowing how to live that out or they you know behind whatever political thing

know behind whatever political thing know behind whatever political thing that they're doing and so I really want that they're doing and so I really want that they're doing and so I really want to ask when did this concept of all life to ask when did this concept of all life to ask when did this concept of all life actually coming alongside knowing how to actually coming alongside knowing how to actually coming alongside knowing how to support women when did this concept support women when did this concept support women when did this concept really become solidified for you as um really become solidified for you as um really become solidified for you as um an expanded an expanded an expanded Christian ethic as a worldview and was Christian ethic as a worldview and was Christian ethic as a worldview and was there a specific moment or experience there a specific moment or experience there a specific moment or experience that you've had that really connected that you've had that really connected that you've had that really connected the Continuum of life for you whoever the Continuum of life for you whoever the Continuum of life for you whoever wants to go for Brie I know you go go go wants to go for Brie I know you go go go wants to go for Brie I know you go go go I'm on the end here so I'm always like I'm on the end here so I'm always like I'm on the end here so I'm always like okay let's see who else wants to okay let's see who else wants to okay let's see who else wants to go I grew up probably like a lot of us go I grew up probably like a lot of us go I grew up probably like a lot of us I'm I'm an Evangelical Free Church I'm I'm an Evangelical Free Church I'm I'm an Evangelical Free Church Pastor kid I grew up in the Midwest I Pastor kid I grew up in the Midwest I Pastor kid I grew up in the Midwest I went to all the Pregnancy Center fun went to all the Pregnancy Center fun went to all the Pregnancy Center fun runs and you know all the activities and runs and you know all the activities and runs and you know all the activities and donations and baby bottle donations and donations and baby bottle donations and donations and baby bottle donations and you know jars and stuff like that in the you know jars and stuff like that in the you know jars and stuff like that in the lobby of the church and all the things lobby of the church and all the things lobby of the church and all the things and so you just kind of grow up this is and so you just kind of grow up this is and so you just kind of grow up this is who we are this is how we value life and who we are this is how we value life and who we are this is how we value life and uh we hate that it's gotten so political uh we hate that it's gotten so political uh we hate that it's gotten so political but it is so ingrained in us and that but it is so ingrained in us and that but it is so ingrained in us and that when you get older and you really start when you get older and you really start when you get older and you really start reading the scriptures for yourself and reading the scriptures for yourself and reading the scriptures for yourself and then all these other issues because then all these other issues because then all these other issues because social media has just lit up up all of social media has just lit up up all of social media has just lit up up all of these other human dignity issues we these other human dignity issues we these other human dignity issues we start to realize that what we believe start to realize that what we believe start to realize that what we believe about the dignity and sanctity of a about the dignity and sanctity of a about the dignity and sanctity of a pre-born life is the same Christian pre-born life is the same Christian pre-born life is the same Christian ethic it's the same theology that

ethic it's the same theology that ethic it's the same theology that connects us to all of these other human connects us to all of these other human connects us to all of these other human dignity issues and so it's not scope dignity issues and so it's not scope dignity issues and so it's not scope creep let's just be very clear it's not creep let's just be very clear it's not creep let's just be very clear it's not theological sliding into theological sliding into theological sliding into progressivism to continue your whole progressivism to continue your whole progressivism to continue your whole life your pro-life ethic life your pro-life ethic life your pro-life ethic to the whole of Life I'll give you a to the whole of Life I'll give you a to the whole of Life I'll give you a very clear example this isn't wasn't the very clear example this isn't wasn't the very clear example this isn't wasn't the start of my journey but in the middle of start of my journey but in the middle of start of my journey but in the middle of my journey I had just taken a break I my journey I had just taken a break I my journey I had just taken a break I just step back from my role at focus on just step back from my role at focus on just step back from my role at focus on the family to adopt my son and when I the family to adopt my son and when I the family to adopt my son and when I did that I got invited to southern did that I got invited to southern did that I got invited to southern Mexico for 5 days and they were like Mexico for 5 days and they were like Mexico for 5 days and they were like this is World relief they invited me on this is World relief they invited me on this is World relief they invited me on this trip and I said they said do you this trip and I said they said do you this trip and I said they said do you want to come and learn what is going on want to come and learn what is going on want to come and learn what is going on with vulnerable migrants around the with vulnerable migrants around the with vulnerable migrants around the world and I said sure that's part of my world and I said sure that's part of my world and I said sure that's part of my whole life pro-life ethic sure whole life pro-life ethic sure whole life pro-life ethic sure so I'm fully anticipating I'm going to so I'm fully anticipating I'm going to so I'm fully anticipating I'm going to go on that trip and I'm going to learn go on that trip and I'm going to learn go on that trip and I'm going to learn about immigration only immigrants and about immigration only immigrants and about immigration only immigrants and refugees what does the Lord say about refugees what does the Lord say about refugees what does the Lord say about that what's going on and every moment on that what's going on and every moment on that what's going on and every moment on that trip I was slapped with my pro-life that trip I was slapped with my pro-life that trip I was slapped with my pro-life convictions I went to a child Center for convictions I went to a child Center for convictions I went to a child Center for unaccompanied Miners And I met two girls unaccompanied Miners And I met two girls unaccompanied Miners And I met two girls in there age 11 and 13 who were both mothers I was devastated I was like Lord mothers I was devastated I was like Lord I'm not trying to bring my pro-life I'm not trying to bring my pro-life I'm not trying to bring my pro-life stuff up in here and yet that's what he stuff up in here and yet that's what he stuff up in here and yet that's what he was doing he said there are vulnerable was doing he said there are vulnerable was doing he said there are vulnerable women and women and women and children at the doorstep of America children at the doorstep of America children at the doorstep of America we're not going to get into this we're not going to get into this we're not going to get into this conversation but so it's there right so

conversation but so it's there right so conversation but so it's there right so then I go to a shelter just for women then I go to a shelter just for women then I go to a shelter just for women and it's women who are experiencing and it's women who are experiencing and it's women who are experiencing pregnancy for all kinds of reasons and pregnancy for all kinds of reasons and pregnancy for all kinds of reasons and I'm like Lord I'm not trying to I just I'm like Lord I'm not trying to I just I'm like Lord I'm not trying to I just want to learn this particular thing on want to learn this particular thing on want to learn this particular thing on this trip and it was just everywhere I this trip and it was just everywhere I this trip and it was just everywhere I went the Lord was like this connect to went the Lord was like this connect to went the Lord was like this connect to be in for life this connect and you be in for life this connect and you be in for life this connect and you could step into any Avenue it it could could step into any Avenue it it could could step into any Avenue it it could be poverty it could be um uh it could be be poverty it could be um uh it could be be poverty it could be um uh it could be human trafficking it could it doesn't human trafficking it could it doesn't human trafficking it could it doesn't matter the whole spectrum of Life matter the whole spectrum of Life matter the whole spectrum of Life carries these things that we anchor in carries these things that we anchor in carries these things that we anchor in scripture and what I mean by that is I scripture and what I mean by that is I scripture and what I mean by that is I was kind of like all right there are was kind of like all right there are was kind of like all right there are certain areas that feel a little too certain areas that feel a little too certain areas that feel a little too maybe Progressive for my theology to maybe Progressive for my theology to maybe Progressive for my theology to enter into but then when you start enter into but then when you start enter into but then when you start getting close into those spaces you getting close into those spaces you getting close into those spaces you realize that the same biblical verses realize that the same biblical verses realize that the same biblical verses and principles that anchor you in the and principles that anchor you in the and principles that anchor you in the pre-born space are the same exact verses pre-born space are the same exact verses pre-born space are the same exact verses that anchor you in these other human that anchor you in these other human that anchor you in these other human dignity areas we're we're not in the dignity areas we're we're not in the dignity areas we're we're not in the pro-life movement because of a uh pro-life movement because of a uh pro-life movement because of a uh dictionary definition you know because dictionary definition you know because dictionary definition you know because the dictionary definition is just the dictionary definition is just the dictionary definition is just anti-abortion but we're in it from a anti-abortion but we're in it from a anti-abortion but we're in it from a Biblical conviction about the dignity Biblical conviction about the dignity Biblical conviction about the dignity and sanctity of every human life and so and sanctity of every human life and so and sanctity of every human life and so that doesn't stop once the baby is born that doesn't stop once the baby is born that doesn't stop once the baby is born and so I what I want to is kind of maybe and so I what I want to is kind of maybe and so I what I want to is kind of maybe free you up to say all right there is no free you up to say all right there is no free you up to say all right there is no place when it comes to humanity that is place when it comes to humanity that is place when it comes to humanity that is off limits for the love of Jesus and if off limits for the love of Jesus and if off limits for the love of Jesus and if you are a human being walking and you are a human being walking and you are a human being walking and breathing on this Earth we are not breathing on this Earth we are not breathing on this Earth we are not walking around trying to bestow dignity walking around trying to bestow dignity walking around trying to bestow dignity to people and say yeah yeah you're no we

to people and say yeah yeah you're no we to people and say yeah yeah you're no we are there to affirm it cuz it's already are there to affirm it cuz it's already are there to affirm it cuz it's already there and so there is no place in there and so there is no place in there and so there is no place in humanity that Jesus would say that's off humanity that Jesus would say that's off humanity that Jesus would say that's off limits that don't take your pro-life limits that don't take your pro-life limits that don't take your pro-life ethic in ethic in ethic in there no each and every person on this there no each and every person on this there no each and every person on this planet is an image Bearer and we believe planet is an image Bearer and we believe planet is an image Bearer and we believe in the dignity and sanctity of every in the dignity and sanctity of every in the dignity and sanctity of every human life so don't let your compassion human life so don't let your compassion human life so don't let your compassion be discredited because of someone else's be discredited because of someone else's be discredited because of someone else's lack of depth in their own theology you lack of depth in their own theology you lack of depth in their own theology you can go there because we have biblical can go there because we have biblical can go there because we have biblical foundation for foundation for foundation for it I no amen I was just I already it I no amen I was just I already it I no amen I was just I already dropped the mic to say I dropped the mic dropped the mic to say I dropped the mic dropped the mic to say I dropped the mic once I can do it again for you can drop once I can do it again for you can drop once I can do it again for you can drop the the the mic you know I was going to say I I'm mic you know I was going to say I I'm mic you know I was going to say I I'm sure I entered into this space from a sure I entered into this space from a sure I entered into this space from a different perspective I come from the different perspective I come from the different perspective I come from the broken I come from the community where broken I come from the community where broken I come from the community where abortion is normal not because it's abortion is normal not because it's abortion is normal not because it's normalized not because it's I don't come normalized not because it's I don't come normalized not because it's I don't come from a community that says yes go get an from a community that says yes go get an from a community that says yes go get an abortion I come from a community that abortion I come from a community that abortion I come from a community that understands why a person would have an understands why a person would have an understands why a person would have an abortion um I come from a community abortion um I come from a community abortion um I come from a community where I have where I have where I have uh as a teenager begged friends not to uh as a teenager begged friends not to uh as a teenager begged friends not to have an abortion and I have I come from have an abortion and I have I come from have an abortion and I have I come from a community where I come from a family a community where I come from a family a community where I come from a family where there have been multiple abortions where there have been multiple abortions where there have been multiple abortions but I also have a life experience where but I also have a life experience where but I also have a life experience where I understand I couldn't see the value in I understand I couldn't see the value in I understand I couldn't see the value in me and I don't know necessarily why God

me and I don't know necessarily why God me and I don't know necessarily why God had created me and put me in the space had created me and put me in the space had created me and put me in the space he put me in and I was told I was he put me in and I was told I was he put me in and I was told I was valuable but couldn't understand it or valuable but couldn't understand it or valuable but couldn't understand it or see it or feel it or it wasn't tangible see it or feel it or it wasn't tangible see it or feel it or it wasn't tangible so the only difference between me and so the only difference between me and so the only difference between me and another woman who's had an abortion is another woman who's had an abortion is another woman who's had an abortion is just God's grace and the decisions that just God's grace and the decisions that just God's grace and the decisions that I've been able to navigate and I think I've been able to navigate and I think I've been able to navigate and I think for me what that says is that I'm not for me what that says is that I'm not for me what that says is that I'm not Beyond making those decisions God has Beyond making those decisions God has Beyond making those decisions God has just been kind and I'm not better than just been kind and I'm not better than just been kind and I'm not better than anyone who's made those decisions anyone who's made those decisions anyone who's made those decisions because I wrestled through that with my because I wrestled through that with my because I wrestled through that with my sisters and my friends and I'm not um sisters and my friends and I'm not um sisters and my friends and I'm not um insensitive to why someone would make insensitive to why someone would make insensitive to why someone would make those decisions and so my passion now is those decisions and so my passion now is those decisions and so my passion now is to walk alongside you and help you just to walk alongside you and help you just to walk alongside you and help you just see a better way to help you understand see a better way to help you understand see a better way to help you understand your own personal value and how your your own personal value and how your your own personal value and how your personal value is tied to something personal value is tied to something personal value is tied to something bigger and wider and deeper than you and bigger and wider and deeper than you and bigger and wider and deeper than you and then help you to understand the value of then help you to understand the value of then help you to understand the value of all the people around you particularly all the people around you particularly all the people around you particularly the one inside of you yeah and I just the one inside of you yeah and I just the one inside of you yeah and I just want to add something with what Bri want to add something with what Bri want to add something with what Bri touched on um is that it can often seem touched on um is that it can often seem touched on um is that it can often seem like in these Inc conversations around like in these Inc conversations around like in these Inc conversations around issues that are related to human dignity issues that are related to human dignity issues that are related to human dignity that they can vulnerable populations can that they can vulnerable populations can that they can vulnerable populations can often be pitted against each other and I often be pitted against each other and I often be pitted against each other and I just don't believe that we live in a just don't believe that we live in a just don't believe that we live in a world and with the god that we have who world and with the god that we have who world and with the god that we have who is so big and so Sovereign that we have is so big and so Sovereign that we have is so big and so Sovereign that we have to have uh one vulnerable population to have uh one vulnerable population to have uh one vulnerable population pitted against the other it's not an pitted against the other it's not an pitted against the other it's not an either or it's a both and yes of course either or it's a both and yes of course either or it's a both and yes of course we care about the vulnerable in the womb

we care about the vulnerable in the womb we care about the vulnerable in the womb and yes of course we care about um in in and yes of course we care about um in in and yes of course we care about um in in Immigration and and those that you're Immigration and and those that you're Immigration and and those that you're coming across that are in really coming across that are in really coming across that are in really challenging circumstances and yes we challenging circumstances and yes we challenging circumstances and yes we care about and filling the blank with care about and filling the blank with care about and filling the blank with whatever uh you know human dignity prli whatever uh you know human dignity prli whatever uh you know human dignity prli whole life um population that we're whole life um population that we're whole life um population that we're talking about because that is the god talking about because that is the god talking about because that is the god that we serve is the god that is big and that we serve is the god that is big and that we serve is the god that is big and is able um to care for all of his is able um to care for all of his is able um to care for all of his created uh image bears and that we as created uh image bears and that we as created uh image bears and that we as the church are called to step into all the church are called to step into all the church are called to step into all of these spaces and it doesn't mean that of these spaces and it doesn't mean that of these spaces and it doesn't mean that me individually am able to step into me individually am able to step into me individually am able to step into each of them um but it does mean I care each of them um but it does mean I care each of them um but it does mean I care about each of them and I care about um about each of them and I care about um about each of them and I care about um speaking about each speaking about each speaking about each uh each image bear in a way that is uh each image bear in a way that is uh each image bear in a way that is honoring to who they are as someone honoring to who they are as someone honoring to who they are as someone created God's image and I think this created God's image and I think this created God's image and I think this became really real for me whenever I became really real for me whenever I became really real for me whenever I started to step into proximity of started to step into proximity of started to step into proximity of different um populations that could different um populations that could different um populations that could often be pitted against each other and often be pitted against each other and often be pitted against each other and so uh Bri always talks about proximity so uh Bri always talks about proximity so uh Bri always talks about proximity you guys even I think have hats that say you guys even I think have hats that say you guys even I think have hats that say proximity and so I've really latched on proximity and so I've really latched on proximity and so I've really latched on to that because I've seen it in my life to that because I've seen it in my life to that because I've seen it in my life so um whenever we had our um we had a so um whenever we had our um we had a so um whenever we had our um we had a birth mom in one of our inter domestic birth mom in one of our inter domestic birth mom in one of our inter domestic adoption processes we had a birth mom adoption processes we had a birth mom adoption processes we had a birth mom who chose to place her son with us to who chose to place her son with us to who chose to place her son with us to parent she chose to um have us parent parent she chose to um have us parent parent she chose to um have us parent and we built an open relationship with and we built an open relationship with and we built an open relationship with her and this was a birth mom who was a her and this was a birth mom who was a her and this was a birth mom who was a teenager an orphan herself and was teenager an orphan herself and was teenager an orphan herself and was trying to finish high school was working trying to finish high school was working trying to finish high school was working in a fast food restaurant and just in a fast food restaurant and just in a fast food restaurant and just didn't have any support family around

didn't have any support family around didn't have any support family around her and so she made the brave decision her and so she made the brave decision her and so she made the brave decision to give life to her son Ezra and then to give life to her son Ezra and then to give life to her son Ezra and then made a brave decision to um make an made a brave decision to um make an made a brave decision to um make an adoption plan and we built an open adoption plan and we built an open adoption plan and we built an open relationship with her and seeing her and relationship with her and seeing her and relationship with her and seeing her and and invite her to be a part of our and invite her to be a part of our and invite her to be a part of our family um was such family um was such family um was such a a formative experience in my life a a formative experience in my life a a formative experience in my life because I think in the adoption process because I think in the adoption process because I think in the adoption process you can often pit birth mom against you can often pit birth mom against you can often pit birth mom against adoptive mom or any or or the child the adoptive mom or any or or the child the adoptive mom or any or or the child the adopte or any of those in the adoptive adopte or any of those in the adoptive adopte or any of those in the adoptive triangle against the other and I just triangle against the other and I just triangle against the other and I just lived that out in a different way that lived that out in a different way that lived that out in a different way that was like no like God loves her and cares was like no like God loves her and cares was like no like God loves her and cares for her and she is an image Bearer and for her and she is an image Bearer and for her and she is an image Bearer and God cares for her son that is now my son God cares for her son that is now my son God cares for her son that is now my son and he cares for me and so how can I and he cares for me and so how can I and he cares for me and so how can I honor the image bearer of of each of of honor the image bearer of of each of of honor the image bearer of of each of of the people we come in contact with um as the people we come in contact with um as the people we come in contact with um as well um my our our son that we were in well um my our our son that we were in well um my our our son that we were in the process of adopting was the process of adopting was the process of adopting was African-American and so as well the African-American and so as well the African-American and so as well the conversations now about um how we think conversations now about um how we think conversations now about um how we think about those with different skin color about those with different skin color about those with different skin color and how we might pit particular groups and how we might pit particular groups and how we might pit particular groups against each other was now like this is against each other was now like this is against each other was now like this is my son and like this is his mom who I my son and like this is his mom who I my son and like this is his mom who I feel is a part of our family so these feel is a part of our family so these feel is a part of our family so these were conversations that were now in my were conversations that were now in my were conversations that were now in my home and the proximity of that made me home and the proximity of that made me home and the proximity of that made me care about issues of human dignity about care about issues of human dignity about care about issues of human dignity about race as well um and and how do we have race as well um and and how do we have race as well um and and how do we have those conversations in a way that honors those conversations in a way that honors those conversations in a way that honors the the the image baress the human

the the the image baress the human the the the image baress the human dignity of all people even and those dignity of all people even and those dignity of all people even and those that look different than us so I think that look different than us so I think that look different than us so I think that this is the whole life pro-life is that this is the whole life pro-life is that this is the whole life pro-life is an ethic that is such an ethic that is such an ethic that is such a gift that the the body of Christ has a gift that the the body of Christ has a gift that the the body of Christ has to offer our world that is an expanded to offer our world that is an expanded to offer our world that is an expanded perspective of dignity for all people perspective of dignity for all people perspective of dignity for all people that is beautiful and that is that is an that is beautiful and that is that is an that is beautiful and that is that is an amazing thing that we as the church amazing thing that we as the church amazing thing that we as the church should be if if we live this out well is should be if if we live this out well is should be if if we live this out well is a beautiful gift to the world that we a beautiful gift to the world that we a beautiful gift to the world that we believe in the God who created all life believe in the God who created all life believe in the God who created all life and all life has value and if we show and all life has value and if we show and all life has value and if we show the world that picture of what our the world that picture of what our the world that picture of what our beliefs are that is beautiful and so I I beliefs are that is beautiful and so I I beliefs are that is beautiful and so I I um I'm grateful that kind of um I'm grateful that kind of um I'm grateful that kind of circumstances in my life pushed me into circumstances in my life pushed me into circumstances in my life pushed me into digging deeper into that in a way that digging deeper into that in a way that digging deeper into that in a way that helped expand my perspective because I I helped expand my perspective because I I helped expand my perspective because I I don't think I always had that don't think I always had that don't think I always had that perspective that was really holistic and perspective that was really holistic and perspective that was really holistic and and having walked alongside in proximity and having walked alongside in proximity and having walked alongside in proximity um just through different circumstances um just through different circumstances um just through different circumstances in my life it helped really um make that in my life it helped really um make that in my life it helped really um make that more clear for me in my own life just more clear for me in my own life just more clear for me in my own life just the expansiveness of that Theology and the expansiveness of that Theology and the expansiveness of that Theology and how beautiful that is when we live it how beautiful that is when we live it how beautiful that is when we live it out holistically Porsha I think it might out holistically Porsha I think it might out holistically Porsha I think it might be helpful just right this is like the be helpful just right this is like the be helpful just right this is like the easiest way that I can think about this easiest way that I can think about this easiest way that I can think about this as a definition it's like being as a definition it's like being as a definition it's like being holistically pro-life being pro-life holistically pro-life being pro-life holistically pro-life being pro-life means that we it's a it's a way of means that we it's a it's a way of means that we it's a it's a way of looking at people that transcends looking at people that transcends looking at people that transcends culture class race age status and

culture class race age status and culture class race age status and opinion knowing that each and every opinion knowing that each and every opinion knowing that each and every person is made in the image of God so person is made in the image of God so person is made in the image of God so being pro-life is a way of looking at being pro-life is a way of looking at being pro-life is a way of looking at people it's a way of approximate to people it's a way of approximate to people it's a way of approximate to people and it is because we want to see people and it is because we want to see people and it is because we want to see people as Jesus does that transcends all people as Jesus does that transcends all people as Jesus does that transcends all of the cultural nonsense that is going of the cultural nonsense that is going of the cultural nonsense that is going on that transcends all of the places on that transcends all of the places on that transcends all of the places that we are told are off limits to us in that we are told are off limits to us in that we are told are off limits to us in this world and so that is that is the this world and so that is that is the this world and so that is that is the whole life pro-life Transcendence that whole life pro-life Transcendence that whole life pro-life Transcendence that you get when you anchor yourself you get when you anchor yourself you get when you anchor yourself biblically in the dignity and sanctity biblically in the dignity and sanctity biblically in the dignity and sanctity of life amen amen what are some of the of life amen amen what are some of the of life amen amen what are some of the biggest opportunities for the prif biggest opportunities for the prif biggest opportunities for the prif movement in our country today and when I movement in our country today and when I movement in our country today and when I say our country America but I'm saying say our country America but I'm saying say our country America but I'm saying it for the record in case somebody it for the record in case somebody it for the record in case somebody outside of America is watching yeah yeah outside of America is watching yeah yeah outside of America is watching yeah yeah I think there's a lot of opportunity I think there's a lot of opportunity I think there's a lot of opportunity because there's a lot of challenges so because there's a lot of challenges so because there's a lot of challenges so where there's challenges there's where there's challenges there's where there's challenges there's opportunity um St for Life recently did opportunity um St for Life recently did opportunity um St for Life recently did a survey of 5,000 women of reproductive a survey of 5,000 women of reproductive a survey of 5,000 women of reproductive age and asked and this was across the age and asked and this was across the age and asked and this was across the country so we asked 5,000 women their country so we asked 5,000 women their country so we asked 5,000 women their thoughts on a variety of things around thoughts on a variety of things around thoughts on a variety of things around the abortion issue trying to get a good the abortion issue trying to get a good the abortion issue trying to get a good understanding of what is shaping women's understanding of what is shaping women's understanding of what is shaping women's thoughts about the abortion issue what thoughts about the abortion issue what thoughts about the abortion issue what is influencing their decisions if they is influencing their decisions if they is influencing their decisions if they have faced an unplanned pregnancy and have faced an unplanned pregnancy and have faced an unplanned pregnancy and how are they thinking about uh things how are they thinking about uh things how are they thinking about uh things that would um kind of shape their

that would um kind of shape their that would um kind of shape their opinion about it so one of the things opinion about it so one of the things opinion about it so one of the things that really stuck out to me from the that really stuck out to me from the that really stuck out to me from the study was is that in terms of trusted study was is that in terms of trusted study was is that in terms of trusted voices so a woman if she is facing voices so a woman if she is facing voices so a woman if she is facing unplan pregnancy or she knows someone unplan pregnancy or she knows someone unplan pregnancy or she knows someone that is what would a trusted voice be that is what would a trusted voice be that is what would a trusted voice be that you would turn to if you're trying that you would turn to if you're trying that you would turn to if you're trying to make a decision about unplan to make a decision about unplan to make a decision about unplan pregnancy unfortunately the lowest pregnancy unfortunately the lowest pregnancy unfortunately the lowest ranked ranked ranked option was the option was the option was the church with church with church with 3% three% of women saying they would see 3% three% of women saying they would see 3% three% of women saying they would see the church or parish as a trusted voice the church or parish as a trusted voice the church or parish as a trusted voice to help them think through the unplaned to help them think through the unplaned to help them think through the unplaned pregnancy pregnancy pregnancy situation the number one ranked situation the number one ranked situation the number one ranked source is an organization that is the source is an organization that is the source is an organization that is the largest abortion provider in America largest abortion provider in America largest abortion provider in America that is seen as the number one trusted that is seen as the number one trusted that is seen as the number one trusted source to turn to in an unplanned source to turn to in an unplanned source to turn to in an unplanned pregnancy that is very challenging for pregnancy that is very challenging for pregnancy that is very challenging for Christians in the church to be facing Christians in the church to be facing Christians in the church to be facing that but it provides I think a lot of that but it provides I think a lot of that but it provides I think a lot of opportunity for us to continue to live opportunity for us to continue to live opportunity for us to continue to live out our beliefs about this issue in a out our beliefs about this issue in a out our beliefs about this issue in a way that hopefully begins to change the way that hopefully begins to change the way that hopefully begins to change the narrative and show women that we as the narrative and show women that we as the narrative and show women that we as the body of Christ we as Believers want to body of Christ we as Believers want to body of Christ we as Believers want to step in and care for that woman so that step in and care for that woman so that step in and care for that woman so that the church is a safe place for her to the church is a safe place for her to the church is a safe place for her to come and find support and for us to come and find support and for us to come and find support and for us to speak into her her own dignity and value speak into her her own dignity and value speak into her her own dignity and value as well as the dignity and value of the

as well as the dignity and value of the as well as the dignity and value of the child in the womb so I think that's a child in the womb so I think that's a child in the womb so I think that's a great opportunity for the church in great opportunity for the church in great opportunity for the church in America that I'm prayerfully hoping we America that I'm prayerfully hoping we America that I'm prayerfully hoping we see um that begin to see um that begin to see um that begin to shift yeah I think we it clearly we're shift yeah I think we it clearly we're shift yeah I think we it clearly we're um dealing with abortion at alarming um dealing with abortion at alarming um dealing with abortion at alarming rates so clearly there's a lot of work rates so clearly there's a lot of work rates so clearly there's a lot of work to be done and I think even when you to be done and I think even when you to be done and I think even when you think about Planned Parenthood being think about Planned Parenthood being think about Planned Parenthood being considered a trusted space the answer to considered a trusted space the answer to considered a trusted space the answer to that to the why of that was because they that to the why of that was because they that to the why of that was because they showed up they're in the community showed up they're in the community showed up they're in the community they're of accessible they're not they're of accessible they're not they're of accessible they're not casting judgment casting judgment casting judgment they're they're they're not you see what I'm saying and so not you see what I'm saying and so not you see what I'm saying and so they're meeting them where they're at they're meeting them where they're at they're meeting them where they're at they're meeting for free right for free they're meeting for free right for free they're meeting for free right for free for free and I'm going to be honest I for free and I'm going to be honest I for free and I'm going to be honest I come from that Community where we I come from that Community where we I come from that Community where we I didn't have health care when something didn't have health care when something didn't have health care when something if it was an emergency of any kind of if it was an emergency of any kind of if it was an emergency of any kind of thing for a woman you went to plant thing for a woman you went to plant thing for a woman you went to plant Parenthood and you didn't go there Parenthood and you didn't go there Parenthood and you didn't go there thinking I'm getting an abortion you go thinking I'm getting an abortion you go thinking I'm getting an abortion you go there saying this is the place that is there saying this is the place that is there saying this is the place that is trusted for me to get help and I think trusted for me to get help and I think trusted for me to get help and I think when we recognize that the church has a when we recognize that the church has a when we recognize that the church has a respons responsibility to do more than respons responsibility to do more than respons responsibility to do more than just be angry but has a responsibility just be angry but has a responsibility just be angry but has a responsibility to show up in the same way that Planned to show up in the same way that Planned to show up in the same way that Planned Parenthood has because plan Parenthood Parenthood has because plan Parenthood Parenthood has because plan Parenthood when you call them you hear a voice when you call them you hear a voice when you call them you hear a voice that's that's that's compassionate what they're doing is not compassionate what they're doing is not compassionate what they're doing is not compassionate but that's what you hear compassionate but that's what you hear compassionate but that's what you hear and I think what we need to recognize is and I think what we need to recognize is and I think what we need to recognize is that this is a that this is a that this is a organized well-oiled machine and we need organized well-oiled machine and we need organized well-oiled machine and we need to not be this hit it and quitt it kind

to not be this hit it and quitt it kind to not be this hit it and quitt it kind of thing throw it all together but we of thing throw it all together but we of thing throw it all together but we need to see this as work that we need to need to see this as work that we need to need to see this as work that we need to come together to come together to come together to do and I think we say these things right do and I think we say these things right do and I think we say these things right we say these things and then we say these things and then we say these things and then unfortunately the American church is so unfortunately the American church is so unfortunately the American church is so out of practice of longsuffering with out of practice of longsuffering with out of practice of longsuffering with people and being approximate to people people and being approximate to people people and being approximate to people in their pain in very tangible ways not in their pain in very tangible ways not in their pain in very tangible ways not in the oh bless you I'll pray for you in the oh bless you I'll pray for you in the oh bless you I'll pray for you what I mean putting your reputation on what I mean putting your reputation on what I mean putting your reputation on the line to walk with a woman who is in the line to walk with a woman who is in the line to walk with a woman who is in a lot of pain a lot of fear and probably a lot of pain a lot of fear and probably a lot of pain a lot of fear and probably a lot of Shame so it's like we're a lot of Shame so it's like we're a lot of Shame so it's like we're talking big sea church like we you know talking big sea church like we you know talking big sea church like we you know are the big sea church but also ladies are the big sea church but also ladies are the big sea church but also ladies this goes back to kind of what I said this goes back to kind of what I said this goes back to kind of what I said before about how we've got to be voices before about how we've got to be voices before about how we've got to be voices in our own in our own in our own congregations some of this stuff needs congregations some of this stuff needs congregations some of this stuff needs to be talked about from the to be talked about from the to be talked about from the pulpit some of this stuff needs to be pulpit some of this stuff needs to be pulpit some of this stuff needs to be advocated for for a weekly class during advocated for for a weekly class during advocated for for a weekly class during the week some of this needs to be the week some of this needs to be the week some of this needs to be included in a sermon series and if the included in a sermon series and if the included in a sermon series and if the pastor isn't hearing the squeaky wheel pastor isn't hearing the squeaky wheel pastor isn't hearing the squeaky wheel be the squeaky wheel because sometimes be the squeaky wheel because sometimes be the squeaky wheel because sometimes pastors can get soft right we we love to pastors can get soft right we we love to pastors can get soft right we we love to support them we we want to support them support them we we want to support them support them we we want to support them we also need convictional we also need convictional we also need convictional leadership and we can't leadership and we can't leadership and we can't make we can't hide from issues that the make we can't hide from issues that the make we can't hide from issues that the world has deemed too political to talk world has deemed too political to talk world has deemed too political to talk about entering into human dignity spaces

about entering into human dignity spaces about entering into human dignity spaces will cost you something just be very will cost you something just be very will cost you something just be very clear about that there it will cost you clear about that there it will cost you clear about that there it will cost you something it will cost you maybe something it will cost you maybe something it will cost you maybe finances it maybe cost you reputation it finances it maybe cost you reputation it finances it maybe cost you reputation it maybe will cost you congregants and maybe will cost you congregants and maybe will cost you congregants and donors guess what Jesus doesn't care donors guess what Jesus doesn't care donors guess what Jesus doesn't care about any of that he certainly didn't he about any of that he certainly didn't he about any of that he certainly didn't he lost his reputation he lost all his lost his reputation he lost all his lost his reputation he lost all his friends he didn't have the church's friends he didn't have the church's friends he didn't have the church's backing but he was saying the right backing but he was saying the right backing but he was saying the right things and so to me this is like all things and so to me this is like all things and so to me this is like all right if other people in the world can right if other people in the world can right if other people in the world can show up and be a trusted Source it's show up and be a trusted Source it's show up and be a trusted Source it's because they are showing up in very because they are showing up in very because they are showing up in very clear and close ways to people and so we clear and close ways to people and so we clear and close ways to people and so we have to have an honest evaluation about have to have an honest evaluation about have to have an honest evaluation about how we are showing up in our own how we are showing up in our own how we are showing up in our own communities and how we're showing up in communities and how we're showing up in communities and how we're showing up in our churches and what we are asking our our churches and what we are asking our our churches and what we are asking our leaders to do to create change because leaders to do to create change because leaders to do to create change because change doesn't happen because I feel bad change doesn't happen because I feel bad change doesn't happen because I feel bad change happens because you have strength change happens because you have strength change happens because you have strength and conviction from the Holy Spirit to and conviction from the Holy Spirit to and conviction from the Holy Spirit to do something different different and a do something different different and a do something different different and a lot of times that's going to mean you're lot of times that's going to mean you're lot of times that's going to mean you're going to have to forge A New Path going to have to forge A New Path going to have to forge A New Path forward you're going to have to create forward you're going to have to create forward you're going to have to create something now thankfully there's all something now thankfully there's all something now thankfully there's all kinds of Ministries and organizations kinds of Ministries and organizations kinds of Ministries and organizations out there that are doing a lot of really out there that are doing a lot of really out there that are doing a lot of really good stuff like I'll just shout out good stuff like I'll just shout out good stuff like I'll just shout out Embrace Grace because we love them so Embrace Grace because we love them so Embrace Grace because we love them so much and that if you don't I mean it's a much and that if you don't I mean it's a much and that if you don't I mean it's a prepackage do it in your church thing so prepackage do it in your church thing so prepackage do it in your church thing so they have a booth here you can go look they have a booth here you can go look they have a booth here you can go look at it but I I do think it's something to at it but I I do think it's something to at it but I I do think it's something to be said that it just can't be something be said that it just can't be something be said that it just can't be something we keep here it has to be something we

we keep here it has to be something we we keep here it has to be something we have some conviction and some courage to have some conviction and some courage to have some conviction and some courage to actually speak up about and I think actually speak up about and I think actually speak up about and I think what's beautiful about Jesus as a model what's beautiful about Jesus as a model what's beautiful about Jesus as a model is that Jesus of course when he spoke to is that Jesus of course when he spoke to is that Jesus of course when he spoke to the Pharisees he was pointed he had a the Pharisees he was pointed he had a the Pharisees he was pointed he had a way of communicating with them but he way of communicating with them but he way of communicating with them but he was different when he spoke to the woman was different when he spoke to the woman was different when he spoke to the woman at the well so he understood the at the well so he understood the at the well so he understood the humanity of all of them but he humanity of all of them but he humanity of all of them but he understood what it meant to talk to a understood what it meant to talk to a understood what it meant to talk to a vulnerable person in their moment of vulnerable person in their moment of vulnerable person in their moment of need and see it and not treat them the need and see it and not treat them the need and see it and not treat them the way he would treat the Pharisees because way he would treat the Pharisees because way he would treat the Pharisees because it's a different group of people with a it's a different group of people with a it's a different group of people with a different situation so when we show up different situation so when we show up different situation so when we show up having convers ations about legislation having convers ations about legislation having convers ations about legislation we understand that the woman on the we understand that the woman on the we understand that the woman on the corner who's about to walk into an corner who's about to walk into an corner who's about to walk into an abortion clinic is not interested in a abortion clinic is not interested in a abortion clinic is not interested in a conversation about your left or right conversation about your left or right conversation about your left or right leaning you know she's she's interested leaning you know she's she's interested leaning you know she's she's interested in you seeing the humanity in her and in you seeing the humanity in her and in you seeing the humanity in her and she's she's interested also in you she's she's interested also in you she's she's interested also in you showing up to say you know what I know showing up to say you know what I know showing up to say you know what I know you're wondering how you're going to you're wondering how you're going to you're wondering how you're going to feed the feed the feed the child I know uh you're wonder and child I know uh you're wonder and child I know uh you're wonder and yourself and yourself I know you're yourself and yourself I know you're yourself and yourself I know you're wondering how you're going to pay the wondering how you're going to pay the wondering how you're going to pay the medical bills I know you're wondering medical bills I know you're wondering medical bills I know you're wondering about if you can continue school or keep about if you can continue school or keep about if you can continue school or keep your job or keep your boyfriend or your job or keep your boyfriend or your job or keep your boyfriend or whatever it may be disappoint your whatever it may be disappoint your whatever it may be disappoint your parents she needs someone to show up and parents she needs someone to show up and parents she needs someone to show up and say the longterm looks really say the longterm looks really say the longterm looks really frightening I I see you being pro-life frightening I I see you being pro-life frightening I I see you being pro-life is a way of seeing is a way of seeing is a way of seeing people and their long-term needs for people and their long-term needs for people and their long-term needs for flourishing she cannot see beyond that flourishing she cannot see beyond that flourishing she cannot see beyond that clinic parking lot because the clinic

clinic parking lot because the clinic clinic parking lot because the clinic parking lot provides something for her parking lot provides something for her parking lot provides something for her that seems to eliminate a that seems to eliminate a that seems to eliminate a problem but if we show up and we say I problem but if we show up and we say I problem but if we show up and we say I see all of the things you're afraid of see all of the things you're afraid of see all of the things you're afraid of and I want to walk with you because you and I want to walk with you because you and I want to walk with you because you matter that much and I'm going to show matter that much and I'm going to show matter that much and I'm going to show up and legislate for the things that I up and legislate for the things that I up and legislate for the things that I know we need we need better health care know we need we need better health care know we need we need better health care we need Paid Family Leave we need we need Paid Family Leave we need we need Paid Family Leave we need scholarships for women for their scholarships for women for their scholarships for women for their education we need job assurances we need education we need job assurances we need education we need job assurances we need like there's some protections for women like there's some protections for women like there's some protections for women who are vulnerable while they carry a who are vulnerable while they carry a who are vulnerable while they carry a child that we as convictional Christians child that we as convictional Christians child that we as convictional Christians should be showing up and say I actually should be showing up and say I actually should be showing up and say I actually see why you're saying yes I get see why you're saying yes I get see why you're saying yes I get it I get it because the other side of it I get it because the other side of it I get it because the other side of this parking lot is really frightening this parking lot is really frightening this parking lot is really frightening and you have a lot of need on the other and you have a lot of need on the other and you have a lot of need on the other side but I'm going to walk with you not side but I'm going to walk with you not side but I'm going to walk with you not just past this parking lot but down the just past this parking lot but down the just past this parking lot but down the street and I'm going to walk with you street and I'm going to walk with you street and I'm going to walk with you through those years and I'm going to through those years and I'm going to through those years and I'm going to connect you to things because I'm going connect you to things because I'm going connect you to things because I'm going to take it on myself to help be be to take it on myself to help be be to take it on myself to help be be pro-life for your life so it's got to be pro-life for your life so it's got to be pro-life for your life so it's got to be tangible too yeah to the tangible piece tangible too yeah to the tangible piece tangible too yeah to the tangible piece um I'll say that whenever we did the um I'll say that whenever we did the um I'll say that whenever we did the survey of the 5,000 women we asked them survey of the 5,000 women we asked them survey of the 5,000 women we asked them what would be the most valued resources what would be the most valued resources what would be the most valued resources that would allow them to make a choice that would allow them to make a choice that would allow them to make a choice for life or make them feel like they for life or make them feel like they for life or make them feel like they could make a choice for life um and the could make a choice for life um and the could make a choice for life um and the top things that were listed in terms of top things that were listed in terms of top things that were listed in terms of the things that would be most likely to the things that would be most likely to the things that would be most likely to cause a woman to keep a pregnancy if she cause a woman to keep a pregnancy if she cause a woman to keep a pregnancy if she were facing an unplan pregnancy were

were facing an unplan pregnancy were were facing an unplan pregnancy were paid maternity leave Affordable Health paid maternity leave Affordable Health paid maternity leave Affordable Health Care affordable housing and a livable Care affordable housing and a livable Care affordable housing and a livable wage were the top most things so very wage were the top most things so very wage were the top most things so very all really Financial things um in other all really Financial things um in other all really Financial things um in other surveys that I've seen so many of the surveys that I've seen so many of the surveys that I've seen so many of the things that women who are facing things that women who are facing things that women who are facing employment pregnancy said that they were employment pregnancy said that they were employment pregnancy said that they were most interested in we financial support most interested in we financial support most interested in we financial support so I think that knowing that provides us so I think that knowing that provides us so I think that knowing that provides us opportunity as well to know how the opportunity as well to know how the opportunity as well to know how the church might be able to step in and church might be able to step in and church might be able to step in and serve women if we are engaging with serve women if we are engaging with serve women if we are engaging with women in our communities who are facing women in our communities who are facing women in our communities who are facing unlo pregnancy and our considering unlo pregnancy and our considering unlo pregnancy and our considering abortion is okay what are those things abortion is okay what are those things abortion is okay what are those things that she might be thinking in her head that she might be thinking in her head that she might be thinking in her head like I just don't see the way forward like I just don't see the way forward like I just don't see the way forward with having this baby and then stepping with having this baby and then stepping with having this baby and then stepping into that in whatever creative way we into that in whatever creative way we into that in whatever creative way we can right I mean the church can get can right I mean the church can get can right I mean the church can get creative in how we think about serving creative in how we think about serving creative in how we think about serving that woman and just as you mentioned Bri that woman and just as you mentioned Bri that woman and just as you mentioned Bri thinking about those things that she she thinking about those things that she she thinking about those things that she she is trying to figure out in her head is trying to figure out in her head is trying to figure out in her head there's is there another way and usually there's is there another way and usually there's is there another way and usually the answer is no the abortion is the the answer is no the abortion is the the answer is no the abortion is the only way and we get to step in and say only way and we get to step in and say only way and we get to step in and say hey how can we care for you in these hey how can we care for you in these hey how can we care for you in these things that we might well to serve you things that we might well to serve you things that we might well to serve you in as um as someone that we care about in as um as someone that we care about in as um as someone that we care about to help you see um how you can make this to help you see um how you can make this to help you see um how you can make this work and we want to be there with you uh work and we want to be there with you uh work and we want to be there with you uh in that and that's a beautiful in that and that's a beautiful in that and that's a beautiful opportunity absolutely and as you guys opportunity absolutely and as you guys opportunity absolutely and as you guys are saying excuse me are saying these are saying excuse me are saying these are saying excuse me are saying these things um you know sometimes it's for us things um you know sometimes it's for us things um you know sometimes it's for us we hear it and it's like okay this is we hear it and it's like okay this is we hear it and it's like okay this is all all all theoretical and everything that you're theoretical and everything that you're theoretical and everything that you're saying is everything that I experien saying is everything that I experien saying is everything that I experien as a woman who made the choice of

as a woman who made the choice of as a woman who made the choice of abortion I didn't need anybody to tell abortion I didn't need anybody to tell abortion I didn't need anybody to tell me that abortion was wrong I already me that abortion was wrong I already me that abortion was wrong I already knew that it was wrong I needed someone knew that it was wrong I needed someone knew that it was wrong I needed someone to say there's a way forward on the to say there's a way forward on the to say there's a way forward on the other side of this and nobody said that other side of this and nobody said that other side of this and nobody said that I didn't have the people in my life I didn't have the people in my life I didn't have the people in my life speaking the things that you are or the speaking the things that you are or the speaking the things that you are or the support and it was like how am I going support and it was like how am I going support and it was like how am I going to get through the shame of this because to get through the shame of this because to get through the shame of this because I wasn't married I was you know I'm a I wasn't married I was you know I'm a I wasn't married I was you know I'm a college student how am I going to get on college student how am I going to get on college student how am I going to get on the other side out of this and so I see the other side out of this and so I see the other side out of this and so I see the realness the reality and everything the realness the reality and everything the realness the reality and everything you're not just up here shooting out you're not just up here shooting out you're not just up here shooting out words like I live the very things that words like I live the very things that words like I live the very things that you're talking about and so it is so you're talking about and so it is so you're talking about and so it is so wonderful to hear you basically coaching wonderful to hear you basically coaching wonderful to hear you basically coaching the women up in this room to go out and the women up in this room to go out and the women up in this room to go out and to truly be ad Advocates not just with to truly be ad Advocates not just with to truly be ad Advocates not just with their words but with their hands and their words but with their hands and their words but with their hands and their feet and their hearts go ahead can their feet and their hearts go ahead can their feet and their hearts go ahead can I say something real quick quick what I I say something real quick quick what I I say something real quick quick what I will say in that too is that it just will say in that too is that it just will say in that too is that it just kind of popped into my mind just this kind of popped into my mind just this kind of popped into my mind just this reminder of how we reference women in reminder of how we reference women in reminder of how we reference women in this vulnerable this vulnerable this vulnerable stage a woman as you all know can tell stage a woman as you all know can tell stage a woman as you all know can tell the sincerity of person sometimes by the sincerity of person sometimes by the sincerity of person sometimes by their countenance but most times by their countenance but most times by their countenance but most times by their their their language and so we have to be very language and so we have to be very language and so we have to be very careful about how we are describing the careful about how we are describing the careful about how we are describing the situation that a woman is in we have to situation that a woman is in we have to situation that a woman is in we have to be very careful about how we affirm her be very careful about how we affirm her be very careful about how we affirm her dignity and also her

dignity and also her dignity and also her fears so I'll give you a very clear fears so I'll give you a very clear fears so I'll give you a very clear example I don't think it would have been example I don't think it would have been example I don't think it would have been helpful to Porsha if I would have said helpful to Porsha if I would have said helpful to Porsha if I would have said abortion is mad or bad because you're abortion is mad or bad because you're abortion is mad or bad because you're going to murder your child pora you're going to murder your child pora you're going to murder your child pora you're about to murder a baby did you know about to murder a baby did you know about to murder a baby did you know that does that meet her where she's that does that meet her where she's that does that meet her where she's at abortion is intentionally taking the at abortion is intentionally taking the at abortion is intentionally taking the life of a child but do I have to tell life of a child but do I have to tell life of a child but do I have to tell Porsha publicly on social or even Porsha publicly on social or even Porsha publicly on social or even personally the harshness of the reality personally the harshness of the reality personally the harshness of the reality that she's already thinking about she that she's already thinking about she that she's already thinking about she knows she knows so she knows so I guess knows she knows so she knows so I guess knows she knows so she knows so I guess some I have I'll just be honest I have a some I have I'll just be honest I have a some I have I'll just be honest I have a lot of I have a hard time personally lot of I have a hard time personally lot of I have a hard time personally sharing a lot of pro-life stuff on sharing a lot of pro-life stuff on sharing a lot of pro-life stuff on social media cuz I feel like it really social media cuz I feel like it really social media cuz I feel like it really lacks compassion you don't have to compr lacks compassion you don't have to compr lacks compassion you don't have to compr compromis truth to be compromis truth to be compromis truth to be compassionate and so some of the ways compassionate and so some of the ways compassionate and so some of the ways that we're talking about it I'm not that we're talking about it I'm not that we're talking about it I'm not suggesting that you softball it suggesting that you softball it suggesting that you softball it absolutely not abortion is a violence absolutely not abortion is a violence absolutely not abortion is a violence against children and women but the way against children and women but the way against children and women but the way in which we talk about it publicly and in which we talk about it publicly and in which we talk about it publicly and the way that we meet women the way that we meet women the way that we meet women personally has to be truthful and personally has to be truthful and personally has to be truthful and compassionate so I can tell pora you compassionate so I can tell pora you compassionate so I can tell pora you know know know you'll be you'll be you'll be intentionally really ending a life that

intentionally really ending a life that intentionally really ending a life that I'm sure you're really struggling to I'm sure you're really struggling to I'm sure you're really struggling to do and she'd be like wow this person do and she'd be like wow this person do and she'd be like wow this person wants to have a conversation with me as wants to have a conversation with me as wants to have a conversation with me as opposed opposed opposed to you know abortion is murder to you know abortion is murder to you know abortion is murder right that shuts her down that doesn't right that shuts her down that doesn't right that shuts her down that doesn't invite her into any kind of common space invite her into any kind of common space invite her into any kind of common space between us where I can actually hold her between us where I can actually hold her between us where I can actually hold her hand and then walk with her doesn't earn hand and then walk with her doesn't earn hand and then walk with her doesn't earn any trust with her I didn't compromise any trust with her I didn't compromise any trust with her I didn't compromise truth but I did it in a way that would truth but I did it in a way that would truth but I did it in a way that would meet her where it matters most and that meet her where it matters most and that meet her where it matters most and that is in our heart right so I just wanted is in our heart right so I just wanted is in our heart right so I just wanted to say that as we engage very tangibly to say that as we engage very tangibly to say that as we engage very tangibly absolutely absolutely I think you guys absolutely absolutely I think you guys absolutely absolutely I think you guys have coached us up I would love to have coached us up I would love to have coached us up I would love to continue this Con this conversation for continue this Con this conversation for continue this Con this conversation for the remainder of the the remainder of the the remainder of the conference uh because it is it it has conference uh because it is it it has conference uh because it is it it has been so edifying for me um and I just I been so edifying for me um and I just I been so edifying for me um and I just I really pray many blessings in your work really pray many blessings in your work really pray many blessings in your work and what you're doing keep going keep and what you're doing keep going keep and what you're doing keep going keep moving I I believe that every woman in moving I I believe that every woman in moving I I believe that every woman in this room has been impacted and they're this room has been impacted and they're this room has been impacted and they're going to go back home ready to not just going to go back home ready to not just going to go back home ready to not just say that they're pro- lifee but to live say that they're pro- lifee but to live say that they're pro- lifee but to live in a way that actually shows that so can in a way that actually shows that so can in a way that actually shows that so can I pray for I pray for I pray for us father Lord we thank you so much for us father Lord we thank you so much for us father Lord we thank you so much for just the truth of your word and that you just the truth of your word and that you just the truth of your word and that you have made us women who bear have made us women who bear have made us women who bear your image and that we have dignity and your image and that we have dignity and your image and that we have dignity and value because because of you all life is

value because because of you all life is value because because of you all life is valuable Because of You Lord I pray that valuable Because of You Lord I pray that valuable Because of You Lord I pray that you will take the things that have been you will take the things that have been you will take the things that have been discussed in this room today and that discussed in this room today and that discussed in this room today and that you will make it tangible in our lives you will make it tangible in our lives you will make it tangible in our lives in every person's lives in here and in every person's lives in here and in every person's lives in here and Beyond and Lord I pray that you will Beyond and Lord I pray that you will Beyond and Lord I pray that you will help us to live out our pro-life help us to live out our pro-life help us to live out our pro-life convictions and a way um that is convictions and a way um that is convictions and a way um that is compassionate a way that is courageous compassionate a way that is courageous compassionate a way that is courageous and most of all in a way that truly and most of all in a way that truly and most of all in a way that truly honors you and your word and who you honors you and your word and who you honors you and your word and who you have called us to be as people your have called us to be as people your have called us to be as people your people father we love you we thank you people father we love you we thank you people father we love you we thank you and we praise you I thank you for these and we praise you I thank you for these and we praise you I thank you for these sisters here on the panel with me and sisters here on the panel with me and sisters here on the panel with me and the ways that they have poured out I the ways that they have poured out I the ways that they have poured out I pray that you richly bless them and all pray that you richly bless them and all pray that you richly bless them and all of the sisters in this room it's in of the sisters in this room it's in of the sisters in this room it's in Jesus Christ's name that I pray Jesus Christ's name that I pray Jesus Christ's name that I pray amen are you looking for more trusted amen are you looking for more trusted amen are you looking for more trusted gospel centered resources for women gospel centered resources for women gospel centered resources for women visit TGC women.org or click the link visit TGC women.org or click the link visit TGC women.org or click the link below