Tackling the Turnaway Study – Monica Snyder

Monica Snyder, Executive Director of Secular Pro-Life joins Jor-El Godsey to explain what the Turnaway Study is, and what the findings actually reveal. This study gathered data on women who sought an abortion but were denied, and how these women felt about abortion over time.

Resources:

Read “The Overlooked Findings of The Turnaway Study”

Secularprolife.org/abortion

Notes:

  • Abortion advocates have been using this study to promote abortion as a better option for women (citing questions asked about finances, bonding with baby, etc), but their claims are not fully supported by the data in the study.
  • The Turnaway Study revealed that 96% of women who were denied an abortion and later gave birth later said that they no longer wished they had sought abortion. The overwhelming majority of women bonded to their children just fine.

 

Sponsored by: Heartbeat Academy

Reproductive Grief Care – Michaelene Fredenburg

Sara Dominguez, Affiliate Services Specialist at Heartbeat International interviews Michaelene Fredenburg, CEO and President of the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care about the importance of grief care training in pregnancy help organizations, and how centers implementing grief care programs can be a valuable resource for their community.

Resources:

The Changing Face of Abortion Today

Heartbeat’s President, Jor-El Godsey is joined by Christa Brown, Sr. Director of Medical Impact to discuss a recent white paper that was published by Heartbeat highlighting abortion trends since the overturn of Roe vs Wade. Increased availability to chemical abortion has brought a rise in coercion, violence, and a reduction of medical oversight. Listen in to find out what women are faced with today, and how your Pregnancy Help Organization can help.

Sponsored by: Abortion Pill Rescue Network
Visit AbortionPillReversal.com for help, or APRNWorldwide.com to join the Network

Women’s Sexual Wellness – Dr. Joe Malone

Beth Diemert is joined by Dr. Joe Malone to discuss the term “Women’s Sexual Wellness” and how this type of education speaks directly to young women in today’s culture. Dr. Joe explains the research behind this cutting-edge information and the life-changing effect it can have on the women we serve.

Notes:

  • The results of the “hookup culture” have different affects on men vs women, and both are damaging to the way that bonding happens.
  • Terminology used in abstinence education over the years have changed as science has uncovered more about how sexual activity affects the brain.
  • Pregnancy centers have an opportunity to offer a positive approach to abstinence education that empowers women to make healthy choices based on scientific evidence to back up the Christian worldview of marriage.

Sponsored by Heartbeat Academy

Biblical Truths About Adoption – Brad Imler

Beth Diemert and Brad Imler discuss what the Bible has to say about adoption, and how we can use that truth to change the conversation surrounding adoption in our culture. Listen in to find out where you might have your own adoption bias, and how you can empower women facing an unplanned pregnancy to understand all of her options more clearly.

Resources:

Notes: 

  •  Adoption dates back to the Old Testament. God chose adoption as the means to rescue Moses.
  • For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:4-5
  • We all approach adoption with some sort of bias, and it’s important to recognize what your bias is.
  • Adoption needs to be talked about often in the work of the pregnancy help organization, as well as in staff training settings.
  • The post-Roe world has changed the adoption conversation
  • Having a conversation about adoption with a client can empower her to look into all of her options instead of focusing only on parenting or abortion. It opens up new opportunities for her.

 

Sponsored by Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference

Insurance for Maternity Homes – Kirk Thomas

Valerie Harkins brings in Kirk Thomas from Johnson-Witkemper Insurance to talk about considerations when choosing insurance for your maternity home. He covers questions surrounding what insurance companies will ask and how to keep insurance costs low for ministries.

Resources:
Click here to contact Kirk Thomas at Johnson-Witkemper Insurance
Email housing@heartbeatinternational.org to connect with Valerie Harkins

Notes:

  • Remember to cover your physical assets and people assets with insurance
  • Take into consideration your home structure – single family, multi-family, or mixed use property
  • Utilize things like security cameras, sprinklers, fire alarms, etc. to help minimize costs of insurance
  • Have a plan in place ready to implement in a crisis situation such as a natural disaster or home evacuation for other reasons.
  • Set clear expectations for residents

Sponsored by: Heart & Home E-newsletter

Engaging Pastors as Partners – Marc Newman

Tracie Shellhouse speaks with Marc Newman, President of Speaker for Life, about equipping the body of Christ to be a voice for life. Marc gives us insight into ways that we can encourage our churches to be outspoken advocates for the unborn in effective and compassionate ways, and to keep the pro-life conversation going year-round.

Resources:
Order a copy of Contenders here
-Speaker for Life – Marc Newman
-Join us at Heartbeat’s Annual Conference in April to attend Marc’s In Depth Day training!

Notes:

  • Statistics show that there are likely people within most congregations (or even the pastors themselves) who have abortion in their background.
  • It’s essential to continually bring up life issues in churches; it’s not a one-time teaching.
  • Not speaking out on the pain of abortion leaves a void for those in churches that are still asking questions and may be vulnerable to make an abortion choice, or to encourage someone else to have an abortion.
  • Churches have the opportunity to speak the truth of God’s mercy and redemption to those who have abortion in their past and to direct them to PHOs or church groups that can offer healing programs.
  • If abortion is not rejected by society, we see other life issues such as euthanasia and assisted suicide accepted.
  • Syllogism – It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being. Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being. Therefore, abortion is wrong.
  • Approach your pastor with a “giving” mindset, not an “asking” mindset. Bring your subject matter expertise to them. Offer to speak and take the burden of doing the research and planning talks from them. Be willing to speak anywhere at anytime.
  • Thank the pastors and churches of your volunteers for their part in supporting a culture of life.
  • Share this podcast! Spread the word!

Sponsored by: Option Line

What is a Pre-Abortion Screening?

Heartbeat International Director of Affiliate Services, Beth Diemert and Senior Director of Medical Impact, Christa Brown, discuss what is involved in a pre-abortion screening and why a center might choose to offer this service.

Resources:

Notes:

  • Abortion pills are sold online with little to no medical intervention or assessment, leaving women in the dark about their options and their pregnancies
  • An ultrasound is essential in dating the pregnancy and in checking for ectopic pregnancy, which would be a life-threatening situation for the mother.
  • Pregnancy help clinics empower women with information and details about their pregnancy and what choices are available to them
  • Pre-abortion screening is about providing her with information that she may not receive online or at an abortion clinic, which then empowers her to make an informed decision about her pregnancy.
  • Heartbeat’s Medical Impact team is available at medical@heartbeatinternational.org

Sponsored by: Next Level

Deceptive Advertising Laws and PHOs

Pregnancy center marketing has been under attack for decades, but recent legislation in some states has made more aggressive advances towards silencing the voices of those who want to provide women with alternatives to abortion. Jor-El Godsey, Tracie Shellhouse, Andrea Trudden, and Danielle White discuss how these laws are deceptive and attempt to tell a false narrative of the work of pro-life pregnancy help.

Links:

 

Sponsored by Pregnancy Help News

Notes:

  • The First Amendment protects the speech of pregnancy help organizations. Historically, the courts have struck down legislation based on First Amendment prudence (laws were too vague, viewpoint discrimination, content discrimination, etc.)
  • This legislation is intended to cause confusion and fear so that pregnancy centers are scared into silence.
  • Training your staff on answering questions regarding your services is essential to providing quality care for your clients.
  • Be aware of the standards that social media advertising have that might limit how you advertise; these standards continue to change over time.
  • Disclaimers on your website can be helpful, but are not a legal requirement.
  • Be consistent in your messaging. Women need to know that pregnancy help exists. There’s nothing wrong with truthfully promoting your services!

 

Reaching Your Year-End Fundraising Goals – Haley Limo

Haley Limo joins Beth Diemert to discuss how to make the most out of the time that we have left in 2023 to meet your year-end fundraising goals. Plus, Haley shares advice on how to start your fundraising strong in the new year!

Contact Haley Limo at haley@lotphilanthropy.com

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Notes:

  • Diversify your streams of income so that you can compensate if one stream doesn’t bring in as much as you hoped
  • National trends in giving show that this was a challenging year for non-profits
  • Plan to make most of your asks before Thanksgiving
  • Reach out to a few of your lapsed major gifts donors at the end of the year
  • Make your ask specific. Ask for support for a particular need that must be met in the next year.
  • Start a “story box” to collect client stories that can be used to share your impact with donors.
  • Election years can present opportunities to boost your support from donors.
  • Keep connecting with donors on a personal level. Relationship is important both with clients and supporters.

Sponsored by: Heartbeat Academy