By: Tessa Redmond
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky Baptist Convention churches across the commonwealth will join with other Southern Baptist Churches throughout the nation Sunday to celebrate and affirm the sanctity of human life — that every person is made in the image of God.
As you consider how your church can actively advocate for the sanctity of life, explore these practical resources:
Q: I want to partner with a local pregnancy center. How can I locate the nearest one?
A: There are nearly 50 pregnancy support centers spread throughout Kentucky, and every single one relies on the financial, volunteer and prayer support of local churches. Visit kybaptist.org/pregnancy-resource-centers/ for a list.
Q: My church members are interested in sidewalk counseling at the nearest abortion clinic. Where can we get training?
A: Speak For the Unborn equips local churches for holistic pro-life ministry that is gospel-centered, compelled by love and winsome. They provide training for congregations interested in counseling women who are preparing to enter abortion clinics. Learn more at speakforthe unborn.com.
Q: I’m not able to adopt or foster and my funds are limited. How can I serve orphans and foster families?
A: Orphan Care Alliance, a Louisville-based ministry that equips and connects Christians to opportunities for serving children in need, enlists believers to serve as life coaches for teens in Kentucky’s foster care system.
After completing orientation training, life coaches are paired with a teen and expected to spend at least one hour with him or her once a week for one calendar year—sharing the love of Christ, setting goals and offering encouragement. Life coaches are the only unpaid adult in a foster child’s life, a role Orphan Care Alliance describes as “integral.” Visit orphancarealliance.org for more information on their various ministries.
Q: Our church wants to support foster and orphan care ministries. What organizations exist in the state?
A: The Kentucky Baptist Convention has been a longtime partner of Sunrise Children’s Services, a Christ-centered non-profit offering therapeutic foster care, therapeutic treatment, and community-based services to Kentucky’s children. For information on how you can partner with Sunrise, visit sunrise.org.
All God’s Children in Nicholasville also works with Kentucky foster children. The Christian ministry provides counseling, day care, an independent living program, and training for foster families. Learn about ways to volunteer, pray, and give at kyagc.org.
Q: There are women in our church who have had abortions, and we want to support them as they heal. Are there bible studies or small group materials for post-abortive women?
A: Surrendering the Secret is a study offering biblical healing for post-abortive women, and is frequently used by both pregnancy centers and local churches. Visit surrenderingthesecret.com for more information.
SaveOne is a ministry offering help and healing for men, women, and family members who have been impacted by a past abortion. They offer training, small group studies, and resources for churches. Learn more at saveone.org/churches.
And Embrace Grace provides curriculum and training for churches to start support groups for women who have chosen life for an unplanned pregnancy. One KBC church has already established a successful Embrace Grace group. Visit embracegrace.com for more details.
Q: What is the KBC doing to equip churches for pro-life ministry?
A: The Kentucky Baptist Convention has launched the Friends of Life Kentucky initiative to mobilize Kentucky Baptists to support pregnant women and speak up for the unborn.
While the initiative is still in development, churches can look forward to regional conferences, active support of a pro-life proposed Kentucky constitutional amendment, and an attitudes and perspectives survey that will shape the convention-wide strategy. Follow the unfolding initiative at friendsoflifeky.org.
Q: Where can I find news updates on pro-life issues in Kentucky?
A: Subscribe to our Kentucky Today newsletter, The Morning Briefing, for weekly stories on the most relevant pro-life issues here in the state.
From updates on pro-life legislation to monthly abortion number reports to the personal stories of families impacted by unplanned pregnancies, Kentucky Today is committed to providing coverage on abortion, adoption, foster care and other pro-life topics.
Friends of Life KY 