Cradle My Heart

Did the overturn of Roe v Wade make the US more likely to make legal abortion the law of the land? Charlie Camosy proposes a way forward to prevent that happening. His article, A post-Dobbs way forward on abortion is becoming clear, reviews policies supporting women and families as the most essential and effective path to ending the need for abortion today.From his bio: Charlie Camosy is professor of Medical Humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine. In addition, he holds the Monsignor Curran Fellowship in Moral Theology at St. Joseph Seminary in New York. Twitter: @ccamosySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Lucas joins us this week to talk about preventing abortion in the face of teen pregnancy. Many parents are not aware that even in places where parental consent is required, any teen can obtain an abortion without their parent ever knowing it has happened.We discussed the scenario presented in the foreign film Memoir of a Veering Storm.And we present ideas for avoiding that storm. Surprisingly, the American Association of Pediatrics does not advocate for mandatory parental involvement.Church resources include ministries like Embrace Grace and Pro-Grace. Lucas also referenced the He Gets Us campaign to model Christ-like care for life's most difficult issues.From Marc’s bio: Marc Lucas has served as a pastor for a combined 15 years with two mega-churches in the Valley: Sun Valley Community Church and Highlands Church. He’s an alumni of Arizona Christian University with a degree in Biblical Studies. He is currently the Local Ministry Director at Faith Talk 1360. He has been married to his wife Tammy, for 16 years and they have 3 beautiful kids Kaylen 14, Kenzie 10 and Karson 6.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Priscilla Coleman is an academic and expert voice whose credits include over sixty peer-reviewed journal entries.According to Coleman, “The truth comes through the data. . . We do know that abortion is detrimental to a very high percentage of women. And it’s not a healthy choice as the mainstream pitches it.”The study of the psychological impact of abortion on women dates back to the days prior to Roe v Wade and legalization. Mining the sparse early studies created a drive in Coleman to learn more. She notes that by 2008 a proliferation of studies confirmed abortion significantly increases mental health risks to women.We also discuss the climate of suppression and censorship of her research. Although she does not work in the faith-based realm, Dr. Coleman is a believer in Jesus Christ. She says, “I feel supported by God, and I feel supported by truth and by the science.”Dr. Coleman is slates as a Keynote Speaker at the upcoming healthcare conference titles, The Clinical Impact of Reproductive Choice in North Dakota in April, 2023. Details and registration links available here.Priscilla K ColemanLearn more:Priscilla Coleman, PhD, recently retired as Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University. She has researched the impact of abortion on mental health, mortality and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Coleman serves as an expert witness in abortion legislation cases using current research about the impacts of abortion, as well as risk factors for adverse post-abortion outcomes and bias in publishing research on abortion and mental health.Host Kim KetolaListen on FaithTalk1360 in Phoenix Thursdays at 3 pmListen On Demand on Spotify, Apple podcasts or on the podcast home pageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Priscilla Coleman is an academic and expert voice whose credits include over sixty peer-reviewed journal entries.According to Coleman, "The truth comes through the data...We do know that abortion is detrimental to a very high percentage of women. And it's not a healthy choice as the mainstream pitches it."The study of the psychological impact of abortion on women dates back to the days prior to Roe v Wade and legalization. Mining the early studies created a drive to learn more. And by 2008 a proliferation of studies confirmed abortion significantly increases mental health risks to women.We also discuss the climate of suppression and censorship of her research. Although she does not work in the faith-based realm, Dr. Coleman is a believer in Jesus Christ. She says, "I feel supported by God, and I feel supported by truth and by the science."Dr. Coleman is a Keynote Speaker at the upcoming healthcare conference The Clinical Impact of Reproductive Choice in North Dakota in April, 2023. Details and registration links available here.Learn more:Priscilla Coleman, PhD,, recently retired as Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University. She has researched the impact of abortion on mental health, mortality and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Coleman serves as an expert witness in abortion legislation cases using current research about the impacts of abortion, as well as risk factors for adverse post-abortion outcomes and bias in publishing research on abortion and mental health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is activism the answer to abortion?Can slogans ever change hearts and minds?Given that more than 60 million lives have been lost to abortion in the US under Roe v Wade, what is the church now called to do in their communities?Leading with love is a primary responsibility, according to Pastor Foreman, along with the duty to seek to understand the question beyond the political noise and rhetoric. He says, "What I'm doing now is not political. Let's think critically...talk intelligently... and bathe it in a a loving spirit."Abortion may be a policy debate taking place in Washington DC, but abortion is happening in our neighborhoods. The local church is uniquely positioned to meet the challenge of preventing abortion as well as the restoration of those who have experienced it.From his bio: Chuck Foreman and his wife, Kathy, served as missionaries in Taiwan for twenty years and were also field coordinators for East Asia with Team Expansion. They have four children and two grandchildren. Chuck and Kathy live in Phoenix, Arizona, where Chuck is the teaching and missions pastor for First Christian Church, a church recognized for its leadership in modeling what it means to humbly serve its community. He is the author of The Deadliest Sin, A Penetrating Look at the Poison of Pride in a Leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abortion may be a policy debate taking place in Washington DC, but abortion is happening in our neighborhoods. The local church is uniquely positioned to meet the challenge of preventing abortion as well as the restoration of those who have experienced it.Pastor Chuck Foreman applies the text of the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 to how the church can respond to the brokenness of having lost our way. In the local church, our job is to celebrate and welcome those impacted by abortion.From his bio:Chuck Foreman and his wife, Kathy, served as missionaries in Taiwan for twenty years and were also field coordinators for East Asia with Team Expansion. They have four children and two grandchildren. Chuck and Kathy live in Phoenix, Arizona, where Chuck is the teaching and missions pastor for First Christian Church, a church recognized for its leadership in modeling what it means to humbly serve its community. He is the author of The Deadliest Sin, A Penetrating Look at the Poison of Pride in a LeaderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abortion has claimed the lives of multiple-millions of children in the US. The war on children means that we all must decide where we stand. And we can be inspired to bravery in defending the lives of children before they are born. We can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, as God has called us to do.Host Kim Ketola shares practical ways each of us can make an impact in defending unborn lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support After Abortion research found 0% of women who wanted help after abortion would seek that help from their church or their pastor.Is this episode Kim Ketola discusses the barriers to healing after abortion, and how church leaders can break through.Past episodes and other resources can be found at cradlemyheart.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Bomberger was conceived in rape. His adoptive parents raised him in a family of fifteen children, and unleashed love and purpose by their legacy.Today he is an adoptive parent to two children; he and his wife Bethany also have two biological children.We discuss the backlash against adoption. Bomberger exposes the organized ideological opposition to adoption. Tactics include demonizing adoption and distorting negative mental health outcomes to adoptees.Bomberger also raises the alarm about Bethany Christian Services, a formerly pro-life organization, whose current policies would block multi-ethnic adoptions while promoting same-sex adoption. Further, any couple opposed to LGBTQ ideology could be banned from adopting at all.His wit and wisdom is on full display in the surprising story of his encounters with the NAACP for his parody of their organization as the “National Association for the Abortion of Colored People.”From his bio: Ryan Bomberger is the founder of the Radiance Foundation which is dedicated to advancing the truth that every life has purpose. He was an award-winning creative professional for more than a decade before becoming the Chief Creative Officer of The Radiance Foundation. He’s happily married to the love of his life, Bethany, and father to four awesome munchkins (two of whom are adopted). He’s an international public speaker, columnist, factivist, singer/songwriter and author of the fearless book Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Bomberger was conceived in rape. His adoptive parents raised him in a family of fifteen children, and unleashed love and purpose by their legacy.Today he is an adoptive parent to two children; he and his wife Bethany also have two biological children.We discuss the backlash against adoption. Bomberger exposes the organized ideological opposition to adoption. Tactics include demonizing adoption and distorting negative mental health outcomes to adoptees.Bomberger also raises the alarm about Bethany Christian Services, a formerly pro-life organization, whose current policies would block multi-ethnic adoptions while promoting same-sex adoption. Further, any couple opposed to LGBTQ ideology could be banned from adopting at all.He also shares the surprising story of his encounters with the NAACP for his parody of their organization as the "National Association for the Abortion of Colored People."From his bio: Ryan Bomberger is the founder of the Radiance Foundation which is dedicated to advancing the truth that every life has purpose. He was an award-winning creative professional for more than a decade before becoming the Chief Creative Officer of The Radiance Foundation. He’s happily married to the love of his life, Bethany, and father to four awesome munchkins (two of whom are adopted). He’s an international public speaker, columnist, factivist, singer/songwriter and author of the fearless book Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theresa Burke, PhD, is the Founder of Rachel's Vineyard, an international outreach for help and healing after abortion.In Part 2 of our conversation, we continue to discuss her clinical experience of being drawn to abortion recovery through leading a therapy group for women with eating disorders. And she shares the many mental health challenges abortion trauma brings to those who experience it.Burke notes that the isolation of Covid-19 led to many older women to seek healing from a past abortion. And now, in a post-Roe world, even more women are coming forward.She says, "When the conscience is aborted, the truth does get distorted." And she outlines how abortion is extreme abandonment, rather than empowerment. Restoring connection and reconciling grief are keys to healing and recovery.From her bio:Theresa BurkeTheresa Burke, Ph.D., NCP, LPC, BCCP, DABFC, DAPADr. Theresa Burke is the Founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, offering a unique sensory based treatment which integrates emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions. Since 1993, the Rachel’s Vineyard model has spread to 49 states and is in over 70 countries. The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat is currently offered in 22 languages, with other translations in progress. Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life/Gospel of Life Ministries.Her books include Forbidden Grief - The Unspoken Pain of Abortion with David C. Reardon (Acorn Books).Theresa holds an undergraduate degree in English Communications with a concentration in social work. Theresa went on to Immaculata University to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She is a Nationally Certified Psychologist, a Certified Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Clinical Psychotherapist, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Counselors. She holds membership in the Society for Catholic Social Scientists and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Theresa is the proud mother of five children. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Theresa Burke, PhD, is the Founder of Rachel's Vineyard, an international outreach for help and healing after abortion.We discuss her clinical experience of being drawn to abortion recovery through leading a therapy group for women with eating disorders. And she shares the many mental health challenges abortion trauma brings to those who experience it.Burke notes that the isolation of Covid-19 led to many older women to seek healing from a past abortion. And now, in a post-Roe world, even more women are coming forward.She says, "When the conscience is aborted, the truth does get distorted." And she outlines how abortion is extreme abandonment, rather than empowerment. Restoring connection and reconciling grief are keys to healing and recovery.From her bio:Theresa Burke, Ph.D., NCP, LPC, BCCP, DABFC, DAPADr. Theresa Burke is the Founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, offering a unique sensory based treatment which integrates emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions. Since 1993, the Rachel’s Vineyard model has spread to 49 states and is in over 70 countries. The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat is currently offered in 22 languages, with other translations in progress. Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life/Gospel of Life Ministries.Her books include Forbidden Grief - The Unspoken Pain of Abortion with David C. Reardon (Acorn Books).Theresa holds an undergraduate degree in English Communications with a concentration in social work. Theresa went on to Immaculata University to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She is a Nationally Certified Psychologist, a Certified Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Clinical Psychotherapist, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Counselors. She holds membership in the Society for Catholic Social Scientists and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Theresa is the proud mother of five children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Brahm, President of Equal Rights Institute, joins us this week for Part 2 of our conversation. His message: pastors can prevent abortion in the local church.You can engage your pastor to help him do that with these practical tips.In his article One Thing Every Pastor Can Do to Prevent Abortions in Their Congregation, Josh also suggests ways to persuade a reluctant pastor to open up the topic in his church:1: Have the Conversation in Private.2: Come to the Meeting with Humility.3: Ask if There Is Already a Church Policy on What Would Happen to a Woman in the Youth Group if She Became Pregnant.4: Make It Clear That You Realize That What This Pregnant Teen Is Imagining Would Happen Is Probably a Lot Worse Than What Would Actually Happen.5: Tell a Story6: Present This as an Opportunity for the Pastor to Be Able to Say Something Brief about Abortion in a Way That Shows How Much He Loves His Flock.7: Offer to Help with Practical Stuff like Throwing the Baby Shower.Resources referenced in this episode:Silent No More Awareness CampaignEmbrace GraceCare Net Research on abortion and the churchFrom his bio: Josh Brahm is President of the Equal Rights Institute and Host of the Equipped For Life Podcast, providing practical apologetics and training to pro-life advocates. He has spoken in six countries and throughout the US. He has also publicly debated prominent abortion rights advocates and engaged students on college campuses. Read his complete profile here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Brahm is President of the Equal Rights Institute and has devised a single step which pastors and church leaders can take to prevent abortion.He breaks down the fear and protectiveness many pastors feel, hoping to "do no harm" to those already impacted by abortion. For these pastors, Brahm comes alongside pastors to equip rather than criticize their silence.In his article, One Thing Every Pastor Can Do to Prevent Abortions in their Congregation, Brahm provides a template for making church a safe place for those experiencing a problem pregnancy. Pastors and church leaders can learn to put abortion in context--Christians make up one-third of those having abortions each year. It is both common and yet shameful among Christians.The solution involves regularly making announcements:declaring the value of life before birthrefusing to promote abortion, whether directly or indirectly through gossip, shame or other passive rejectionscelebrating the pregnancy with support, referrals to pregnancy centers, and even a baby shower in the woman's small group or where appropriate.This is a comprehensive approach that every church can implement now. Read the article as well as ideas for the youth pastors to specifically help with younger church member.From his bio: Josh is President of the Equal Rights Institute and Host of the Equipped For Life Podcast, providing practical apologetics and training to pro-life advocates. He has spoken in six countries and throughout the US. He has also publicly debated prominent abortion rights advocates and engaged students on college campuses. Read his complete profile here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In September California Governor Gavin Newsome put up billboards in states where abortion is limited or banned. The billboards invited women to come to California for abortions. As if that weren't enough, the billboards contained Scripture references as a pretext for the campaign.Pastor John Mac Arthur wrote an open letter to the Governor as a rebuke and a warning. His message as posted on the Grace to You website included these words, "He had the terrifying audacity to use the words of Jesus to support the slaughter of the ones that He creates in the womb.MacArthur quotes from Psalm 50But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to recount My statutesAnd to take My covenant in your mouth?For you hate discipline,And you cast My words behind you.When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,And you associate with adulterers.You let your mouth loose in evilAnd you harness your tongue for deceit.”Mac Arthur's strong voice against abortion equally sounds God's grace to those who grieve after abortion. You will find the details in his short volume, Safe in the Arms of God, Truth from Heaven about the Death of a Child.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Kim Ketola reacts to a recent video depicting the mindset of men openly admitting they want abortion access for the women they are sleeping with.Live Action has created a brilliant satire on the mindset of pro-choice men, Abortion Rights are Pro-Choice Men's Rights. Powerfully appropriating ideas from a WBUR op-ed Men like me benefit from safe abortion access, Live Action skewers the selfish and the shallow.The "Men like me" author, Kaivan Shroff wrote in December, 2021 that he was too young, too unprepared and too unsettled to become a father should he get a woman pregnant. Nowhere in his commentary does he propose abstaining from sex until the time is right and he might feel ready.Instead, the only alternative in his mind is to kill any children which may result from his sexual activities. Instead he assures us that in actual relationships ("longer-term") he and his partners have practiced safe sex and vowed to abort any pregnancy if their birth-control or self-control should fail them.He admits having relied on women to "protect me" from unwanted pregnancy. It's not that he is an amoral predator. He devotes a paragraph to the questions men should be able to answer before each and every sexual encounter:"What if I got a woman pregnant? What if she didn’t want to continue the pregnancy, but could not get an abortion? Would we try to stay together, even if it wasn't a fit? What kind of custody or visitation rights would I get if we weren’t together? How would I provide for the child? Would adoption really be a consideration, as Justice Amy Coney Barrett recently glibly suggested? If so, would the child face an abusive welfare system? The questions and worries abound."Live Action's satirical responses reflect the moral confusion which allows such immature and selfish reasoning to be put forth as, "Being honest about the ways [men] also benefit [from abortion access." I hope this video will open the eyes of young women. Admitting you'd take the life of your own child for your benefit in a profoundly ungodly, unmanly and cowardly thing to do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jor-El Godsey is President of Heartbeat International, having served in pregnancy help organizations since 1988. He joins us to set the record straight about the good work of pregnancy help organizations.Having written a book on the pro-life movement, Godsey helps us understand the decades-long legacy of pregnancy help work. Well before the Roe v Wade decision, pregnancy help started in the late 1960's as individual states legalized abortion. He says their work is helping women not need abortion.Senator Elizabeth Warren and other abortion rights advocates argue the centers are "fake clinics" and worse. But those same advocates take large donations from Planned Parenthood and other organizations which stand to benefit financially and politically from abortion rights and practices. Godsey says this dynamic involves couching abortion as empowering women. They also present a false dichotomy of this "empowerment" or pregnancy centers. This narrative negates the reality of the many downside impacts of abortion in the lives of women who experience it.Politicians fail to mention the two million women who are helped without charge to them. Thus they fail to mention a true motive for any so-called harm. Instead, pregnancy help organizations have grown and evolved from offering only pregnancy tests and gospel tracts to the medical services offered at over 70 percent of pregnancy centers today. In addition the PHO's offer spiritual support as an outreach which is truly holisticThe vast majority of funding comes from the local community where the centers are located--in more than 50 percent of counties in the US. These donors represent the pregnancy help movement as well. Politicians who oppose PHO's are opposing the will of these donors as well.From his bio: Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International. He leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders and developing leaders of Heartbeat’s affiliated pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. He oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to be the leadership supply line for the growing pregnancy help movement worldwide by providing accurate information, training resources, leadership development conferences, programs, and daily support to help affiliates start, grow, and expand their services to women and couples at risk for abortion.Jor-El comes to Heartbeat having served in the pregnancy help movement since 1988. He first served as a volunteer at Hope, the pregnancy help centers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Then he joined their board, served as Chair, then as Executive Administrator. In 1999, Jor-El became Executive Director of Life Choices in Longmont, Colorado. Six years later, in 2006, Jor-El accepted the call to help Heartbeat International meet the diverse and expanding leadership needs of the pregnancy help movement as Vice-President. Now serving as the second President in Heartbeat International's 44 year history, preceded only by Peggy Hartshorn, he continues to remind us all that we are better together.Jor-El met his wife, Karen, at a volunteer training meeting for the Hope Center in Ft. Lauderdale. They currently make their home in Columbus, Ohio, with their three children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Coleman serves as Essentials Director of PassionLife, an international pro-life ministry to the church. As such she trains and equips pregnancy help organizations in foundational pro-life essential principles.She notes how often abortion has impacted ministry leaders who chose it to protect the ministry plans or their reputation as Christian leaders. However, Connie says, "The guilt of abortion will ruin ministry faster than anything." She also notes the many church leaders and pastors who need to pursue their own healing before being able to lead others--a third of churchgoing Christians have faced this issue. That number should represent a critical mass of people needing help and effective outreach.Connie also shares the tender story of her own experience of abortion as well as meeting her birthmother whose love fostered Connie's life bringing the story full-circle.One of her guiding principles is that, "Truth without love is brutality and love without truth is hypocrisy."From her bio:Connie has served as owner/CEO of a trucking outfit, before becoming CEO of Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center in Decatur, Texas.Connie leads PassionLife Essentials. She speaks and teaches with a passion to inspire "more" in others—more of Jesus, more healing, more confidence, more passion. Whatever she does, it will be sincere, from the heart, and without fluff. She is in love with Jesus, her husband, her kids, and her coffee. Connie says, "Life has not been anywhere close to perfect, but it is good, and the Lord has called her to live out her testimony transparently as she speaks and writes about his goodness."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Davis is a civil rights champion working to combat abortion in the black community.In this episode Catherine addresses the spiritual basis for the abortion industry recruiting pastors to advance the abortion agenda. The profit motive has driven them to preach a political ideology rather than the Word of God. She mentions the command in Genesis 1:28 to "be fruitful and multiply", as well as God's Word in Deuteronomy 30:19 calling to us to "choose life".Catherine is also working on Enough - The Battle is Real. This outreach raises awareness of the how blacks have been in the crosshairs of those who would control them based on the color of their skin. Part of that outreach is sharing the tragic story of Cree Erwin who was killed in a botched legal abortion. She shared briefly the death of Semika Shaw, one of several women harmed by Doctor Kermit Gosnell.Listen for a preview of her involvement in Harvard University's conference, The Age of Roe.From her bio: Catherine Davis is the Founder and President of The Restoration Project. She often partners with the National Black Prolife Coalition, the Radiance Foundation, the Human Coalition, and the Frederick Douglas Foundation in an ongoing effort to educate Americans about the issues that are impacting the Black community. Catherine, a public speaker and civil rights champion, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Tufts University who attended the University of Bridgeport School of Law.Catherine was featured in numerous TV, radio and newspaper features including The NY Times, CNN, MSNBC, ABC World News, NPR and throughout the entire blogosphere. She believes in holding public officials accountable and legislatively chipping away at the practices and policies that are ravaging a free America. She partners with the Human Coalition, Radiance Foundation and Support After Abortion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Davis of The Restoration Project joins us to expose the impact of abortion on the black community. She begins by providing the historical context of Planned Parenthood's Negro Project, launched in 1939. This initiative hinged on black pastors promoting birth control and then abortion to counter poverty and racial inequality. The objective of eliminating black lives continues today. A PP spokesperson said so openly in 2020.Davis notes the case of US Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who received thousands of dollars from PP to declare himself a pro-choice pastor. He represents only of of dozens of Democrat candidates receiving $45M from Planned Parenthood in the 2020 election cycle.She also discusses the black middle class and the myth that all blacks are poor and disadvantaged, saying, "All of us are not broke and disgusted!"Davis also sounds an alarm on abortion's aftermath among black women. From breast cancer, to premature birth rates to the psychological crises of mental illness and suicide, abortion represents not healthcare, but multiple public health crises.The good news includes many churches working to stem the tide. In 2019 The Church of God in Christ passed a resolution that they are a pro-life denomination. They are forming pregnancy centers, helping with medical expenses, and more.She shares her action plan for turning the wounded into warriors in the church, including church leaders.From her bio: Catherine Davis is the Founder and President of The Restoration Project. She often partners with the National Black Prolife Coalition, the Network of Politically Active Christians, and the Frederick Douglas Foundation in an ongoing effort to educate Americans about the issues that are impacting the Black community. Catherine, a public speaker and civil rights champion, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Tufts University who attended the University of Bridgeport School of Law.Catherine was featured in numerous TV, radio and newspaper features including The NY Times, CNN, MSNBC, ABC World News, NPR and throughout the entire blogosphere. She believes in holding public officials accountable and legislatively chipping away at the practices and policies that are ravaging a free America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kay Kiefer is Executive Director of We Are Everywhere, an outreach to reach women in churches who have been negatively impacted by abortion.Kay shares her story of experiencing abortion as a Christian at age 19. Abortion seemed a way to avoid it all--fixing the problem of an unwanted pregnancy, disappointing her family and pursuing her plans, even though she knew in her heart it was wrong. We discuss why it is wrong according to James 3:9 and Genesis 1:26 protecting the image bearers of God.Having recovered in Christ, Kay is now one-hundred percent pro-life even in the hard and tragic cases of rape and incest. She says, "If we believe that every person is created intentionally by God in his image, this little person is also an image bearer of Christ, regardless of this child's father, and what that father did...There isn't another crime that I can think of where we execute the innocent for the crime of the father." She stresses the importance of support and care as opposed to inflicting additional trauma.We Are Everywhere has created an Open Letter to Pastors which is available as a free download, and a resource for laying out the problem to your pastor or church leader, or for you to deploy from the pulpit and in your church family.The simple message that God forgives abortion could transform the faith and life of your church today.Abortion is reproductive loss, and WAE is addressing healthcare professionals in the for need education and awareness, including a one-day conference in April in Fargo, ND. Details TBA.From her bio: Kay Kiefer is a Registered Nurse and has worked in a variety of health care settings - including mental health, family practice and school health. She has over 10 years of experience working in Christian pregnancy resource clinics (PRCs). She served as a staff nurse and nurse manager in two separate PRCs. During her tenure with FirstChoice Clinic (FCC) in Fargo, North Dakota, Kay managed a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services which allowed FCC to provide abstinence and marriage education throughout North Dakota and western Minnesota.Kay is married to Russ. They have three adult children, two amazing grandsons, and they currently live in the Fargo-Moorhead area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Kim Ketola shares how many pro-life advocates stress God's love over the value of repentance after abortion. But she says, "Repentance is a golden key that every Christian needs to have at our disposal to open the door to peace with God, ourselves and others."The key passage is 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter."Repentance which flows from godly sorrow is a change of heart that renews our minds and lives; worldly sorrow is centered on self and thus leads to self-reproach, self-condemnation, self-loathing and even the very extreme self-destruction of death by our own hands.In Luke 13, Jesus took on self-righteous believers who overlooked their own need to repent. This message can go a long way to repair a church body divided by the sin of abortion. He said, "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." Applied to the problem of abortion, we can all repent the complicity of having accepted abortion as inevitable and doing nothing to rescue those being led to slaughter.The Bible says repentance is a gift: Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; 2 Timothy 2:25; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9. And we are to seek it: Revelations 3:9.In his first recorded sermon in Matthew 4:17, Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." We need not fear sharing the message of repentance with those who feel far from God due to their participation in abortion. Repenting fits us for the near and coming kingdom.In Luke 5:32 Jesus stressed his target: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."As church leaders, you are in a unique position to promote repentance as a pathway to peace after abortion. Let us pray you find the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jim Kirkland is Executive Director of Christian Chaplains and Coaching. He joins us to discuss his own story and his own experience with abortion.Jim was not a Christian as a young man who opted for abortion to protect his vision for the future. He outlines the sequence of events of coming to faith through the friendship of other Christians. Discipleship followed, then marriage and then repentance of that early decision to end the life of their first child.The journey of forgiving one another has been a fairly recent development--in the last five years of their forty-four year marriage. Jim says,"I always think with regret over my little girl that we don't have now because of that decision. To this day we regret it. We wish that we had our daughter with us. She'd be forty-four years old this year."Jim's story demonstrates how, after abortion, a child's own witness to our hearts informs us of our loss.The role of the church should be key on the issue of abortion, but Jim says the church is failing to influence. This can result from having too broad a desire to please the prevailing culture and fit in, or a having too narrow a focus on the members of the church existing as an island apart from a hostile world. The answer is relationship, creating and nurturing connections with others, where our personal witness has an actual impact with real influence.From his bio: PASTOR JIM KIRKLAND MTS BCC CPES, spent more than 25 years as an executive and CEO of a financial services and business consulting firm. Feeling called to ministry later in life, Jim attended Moody Theological Seminary and graduated with a Masters in Biblical Theology. He was ordained to pastoral ministry in 2007 and has been a senior teaching chaplain since 2010. Jim is a Board Certified Chaplain, dual registered with both the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains and the Spiritual Care Association. He is a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor for the ICPT.EDU. Jim is happily married to his wife Virginia of 40 years. They have four children and five grandchildren. Listen on FaithTalk1360 in Phoenix Thursdays at 3 pmListen On Demand on Spotify, Apple podcasts or on the podcast home pageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jim Kirkland is Executive Director of Christian Chaplains and Coaching. He joins us to discuss overcoming serious sin. He begins by drawing a distinction between God forgiving us and yet allowing the earthly consequences of sin to unfold in our lives. So often after abortion we may believe any subsequent adversity in our lives is God's judgement for that abortion. But the sacrifice of Christ on the cross has paid the penalty for every sin. Jim points to the Thief on the Cross as an example of unearned and unmerited grace from God on the sole basis of faith and belief in Jesus.He exhorts pastors to engage their people according to Ephesians 4, "The pastor or teacher who equips the saints for ministry." This equipping may include pastors and church leaders to listen to the needs, hurts and repentance of church members.We also discussed the importance ofThe indwelling of the Holy SpiritLiving with Jesus as Lord vs simply believing Jesus is LordThe mandate to loveDefining repentance as the act of turning from false belief to truthThe heart of faith and the work of discipleship is addressing the impact of sin in the life of every believer.From his bio:PASTOR JIM KIRKLAND MTS BCC CPES, spent more than 25 years as an executive and CEO of a financial services and business consulting firm. Feeling called to ministry later in life, Jim attended Moody Theological Seminary and graduated with a Masters in Biblical Theology. He was ordained to pastoral ministry in 2007 and has been a senior teaching chaplain since 2010. Jim is a Board Certified Chaplain, dual registered with both the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains and the Spiritual Care Association. He is a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor for the ICPT.EDU. Jim is happily married to his wife Virginia of 40 years. They have four children and four wonderful grandchildren. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest Greg Mayo shares the ways abortion wounds fatherhood, manhood, the heart and spirit of a man. He stresses the importance of affirming to men that their pain is real, it is not imaginary, and there is help available.Greg identifies drifting after abortion as the passivity which may result from men having their agency removed as others make the decision to end a pregnancy without their input or will. The drifting may then permeate every area of his life.He is an articulate voice on reclaiming authentic masculinity through a thorough exploration of his experience of losing a child to abortion when he was 18 years old.How does abortion impact men?Why is abortion emasculating to every man regardless of his role in the experience?If abortion is merely a woman's decision, does abortion reflect cowardice or chivalry?What is the role of healthy shame in coming to terms with a past abortion and abortion wounds?How are churches re-wounding those already trapped in toxic shame after abortion?How does abortion-woundedness impact fatherhood?Greg says, "As a man, your first job in this world is to protect your family, so when you're participant in abortion, you automatically feel like a failure."His recommended reading includes When Life Is Hard by James MacDonald.From his bio: Greg began writing for publication with his high school newspaper. After graduation he worked as a columnist for his college paper and freelanced for dozens of newspapers and magazines.With a sincere belief that all things can be art and expression, Greg used carpentry and construction as creative outlets for much of his professional life. Today, he works as a real estate broker and podcast host. He continues to build furniture in his spare time but, with his second novel "Almost Daddy" now in print, free time is scarce.His passion is helping others find peace, forgiveness and restored relationship with God. For Greg, this work is done through story and public speaking. Greg is the author of Almost Daddy and other works. Learn more at his website Almost Daddy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Rowe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the CEO of Support After Abortion. The main focus of the organization is building capacity to end the demand for abortion through healing people impacted by abortion.She shares the three types of pastors and how her organization can help encourage and equip all three.Learn more at supportafterabortion.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Warren Graff leads Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, and joins us to discuss the shroud of shame covering everyone touched by abortion, which he explains, is all of us.We discuss the case of a young mother who earlier this year dumped a baby in the trash in New Mexico, as well as the case of a child killed by a family member several years ago. Since New Mexico allows abortion through all nine months of pregnancy we could see abortion devaluing of life as a driver of such crimes. Pastor Graff calls us to think about what drives the abortion provider--who clearly knows the child is a living human being whom will be killed in the act of abortion. Since this is is, it becomes clear that abortion is about power, and the power of the strong over the weak.Genesis Chapter One provides insight into God's creation, and then in Chapter Two into God's plan for relationship between men and women. Other pertinent Scriptures establish Jesus as the Lord of Life we can confidently proclaim concerning abortion and other sins of the heart.From his bio: Pastor Graff has been faithfully preaching the Word for over twenty five years. He attended high school in Reno and college at the University of Nevada, Reno, and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration, Economics. He studied at Concordia Seminary and has a Master of Divinity degree, as well as a Master of Old Testament Theology. Pastor Graff was called to Grace Lutheran Church and installed as Grace’s Pastor in May of 2002.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Save One helps men, women and families recover from the impact of abortion. Vice President Jack Harper joins us this week to talk about the role that pastors and churches can play in helping people find healing.He notes that one-third of women both inside and outside the church have experienced abortion, impacting their partners, parents, other family members, friends and wider community. Harper says, "The church is the only entity that has been set up to be able to handle the massive numbers of people affected by abortion,"Pregnancy centers and sidewalk advocates and even legislative efforts are all crucial components of the pro-life movement, and all of these efforts need the support and the work of the church in order to fully succeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*This conversation was recorded prior to the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v Wade.*Human Coalition President, Jeff Bradford, shares their vision for preventing abortion and restoring those hurt by it. Their unique outreach began as an internet search engine tool and has grown toBradford shares how Human Coalition's research showed that less than two percent of women experiencing a problem pregnancy had made a firm decision for abortion, and determined to reach the vast majority who were searching, not for abortion per se, but for help with a difficult situation. The research also showed seventy-five percent of women who decide to abort have said they would prefer to parent but simply cannot overcome the obstacles to that path. Their vision is to provide a comprehensive rescue network for women and couples who need.Bradford also answers the pro-abortion critics who are working to throttle internet search results which lead women to pregnancy centers rather than abortion businesses.His story of child loss due to abortion has provided strong motivation for helping men find healing, and helping couples understand and heal the tremendous strain abortion can place on a marriage.Church resources from Human Coalition include a church toolkit and video training for the Pro-life Pastor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herbie Newell is the President of Lifeline Children's Services. He joins us to discuss the role adoption can play in problem pregnancy. Because adoption is legal and widely available, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett argued in the Dobbs case that abortion is not needed in any case. Herbie provides details as to how adoption can be the true choice. He says we need to:Change the language away from "give up" your baby or "give away" a baby for adoption.Realize that placing a child for adoption is not a callous choice, but a loving choiceSupport open adoption and other innovations allow birth parents to remain involved in the lives of their children after placing in an adoptive family; kinship and interim care can provide breathing room to help a woman make a parenting planRealize church can play a key role in helping women choose life if they are not in a position to parent at the time of birth.Envision the hundreds of thousands of state-created orphans in the foster care system as a priority mission field for the church.Lifeline offers Maternity Services, Adoption Services, Foster Care Services, Global Orphan Care, and Counseling and Education for parents, churches and community groups.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Kim Ketola shares an effective and efficient pro-life apologetic based on The Case for Life, by Scott Klusendorf. Pastors and church leaders can learn to argue against abortion based on building a case which doesn't hinge on the other person believing in God or accepting the truth of Scripture.The Case for Life asks and answers key questions:When does human life begin - science says life begins at conceptionWhen does human life have value - social justice demands equal rights for all human beingsWhy is abortion wrong - intentionally killing innocent human beings is morally wrongWhat does the Bible say - God's Word tells us not to shed innocent blood because all human life is a reflection of the image of God.Also, understanding how persuasion works is key. Marc Newman offers helpful resources at Speaker for Life. Marc's background in higher education includes teaching speech and debate.Additional resources:Third Time Around, The History of the Pro-Life Movement from the First Century to the Present, George GrantEmbryology textbook quotes affirming that life begins at conception from Princeton University.How to Win Arguments More Often than Not, William RusherLearn more from Klusendorf's Life Training Institute here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Identifying and overcoming the obstacles for clergy to help their church in preventing and repenting abortionThese ideas are drawn from a document prepared by the Respect Life Office of Saint Joseph's Church in Kansas City titled The Most Common Reasons Pastors Give for Not Preaching on AbortionPersonality or perception - Don't want to be seen as a typical pro-liferDon't want to be seen as confrontationalDon't want to focus on a single issueIt's futile, you can't stop people from having abortionsDon't want to be political or divisiveDon't want to offend womenDon't feel equipped--no training at seminary or elsewhereThere is no good reason. I simply haven't done it.Sensitivity to those already wounded by abortionPlease share your thoughts and if there are other reasons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Lucas is the Director of Local Ministry and Host of The FORM Show at FaithTalk 1360 in Phoenix.He shares the FORM method for difficult conversations as a way to have deeper and more meaningful connection. Most of us track through talking about:FamilyOccupationRecreationMeaningWhen we get to the conversations centered on Meaning we can discover the hearts of others and share ours as well--for us, as followers of Christ, the streams of living water can flow.Marc shares ideas and tips for talking with your pastor about abortion, both in the church and in the culture. And he sounds the alarm--we all should be talking about abortion both as a heart issue for parents and bystanders to problem pregnancy as well as to a justice issue for the unborn. He also warns Christians against twisting God's Word to justify abortion, whether clergy or any others.We also discuss the biblical basis for a doctrine of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheila Harper shares her story of how she fell into the trap of abortion at age nineteen, on the advice of a friend who said, "It's no big deal, I had an abortion at fifteen." She also trusted the Supreme Court who had made it legal.She spent the following seven years experiencing severe emotional suffering, sorrow and shame. Abusing credit helped her escape with shopping and maxing out the many offers which came in the mail. Three jobs didn't cover the debt and she was often without food or the basics of life. The spending helped her avoid the pain. But eventually she found true relief in a Bible study which helped her heal and recover. She says, "Now I feel compelled to make sure others know the truth."Written for her local church in Nashville, the Save One study Sheila wrote is now in use in over 300 countries, helping thousands worldwide find repentance and hope after abortion. Sheila also wrote Is There Not a Cause to help the church find inspiration and equipping based on the biblical story of David and Goliath."Just because the circumstances change, we still must fight, because there is still a giant!" Sheila says, addressing the pastors who shy away from a political fight. "The power is in the local church, and pastors have the authority and responsibility to teach and train Christians to create a godly response."Sheila also notes, "Abortion recovery provides the perfect opportunity for the church to be the church. You don't even need to preach against abortion to offer the process of forgiveness, and become a hero to those who find their healing." But the healing culture also makes the church a safe place for those experiencing a problem pregnancy, and the primary place to disciple, nurture and uphold women and couples in crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we examine a foundational premise of abortion rights: “If abortion is illegal tens of thousands of women will die from unsafe abortions, just like they did in the 1960’s and 70’s.”Is this true?Did women die at alarming rates prior to the Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision in 1973?Readers of The Los Angeles Times earlier this year were led to believe legal abortion saves women, based on the quotes from abortion provider Dr. Warren Hern. 83-year-old Hern provides a few anecdotal examples of patients needing care after illegal abortions in the 1960’s, but the money quote is this:“I think we’ll see a lot of unsafe abortions and women dying,” abortion provider Warren Hern, MD as quoted in the Los Angeles Times, March 10, 2022The durability and persistence of this myth is astonishing for a number of reasons. Above all, you should know that the creator of this talking point admitted it was a fiction devised for maximum PR value to make the case for legalizing abortion in the Roe v Wade case.Dr. Bernard Nathanson not only recanted the false and inflated statistics, but he later stopped performing abortions and as an atheistic Jew became a Christian pro-life activist. His book Aborting America, and his autobiography Hand of God detail the manipulation at the heart of the early abortion statistics.Aborting America is now out of print, but a pertinent quote appeared in the British Medical Journal in 2011 following Nathanson’s death."How many deaths were we talking about when abortion was illegal? In NARAL (National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws) we generally emphasized the drama of the individual case, not the mass statistics, but when we spoke of the latter it was always 5,000 to 10,000 a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false, But in the “morality” of our revolution, it was a useful figure, widely accepted, so why go out of our way to correct it with honest statistics?’ The official figures of maternal death due to illegal abortion before abortion was legalised was 160. Dr. Nathanson estimates the actual figure to be around 500 maternal deaths per year." ~Bernard Nathanson, Richard Ostling. Aborting America. Pinnacle Books. New York 1979, quoted in BMJ, 2011.Return to Hern’s LA Times defense of his life’s work–anecdotes and stories which “emphasize the drama of the individual case.” Hern carefully follows Nathanson’s and NARAL’s original playbook, and the LA Times reporter plays along, failing to provide context to Hern’s predictions of unsafe abortions and women dying.The Times is in good company. The History Channel skews their reporting too."In the 1950s and 1960s, the estimated number of illegal abortions in the United States ranged from 200,000 to 1.2 million per year, according to the Guttmacher Institute." ~Roe v Wade, History.com, May 15, 2019That’s not only quite a range, but in citing the Guttmacher reference, History fails to report the annual death toll from what they call these “dangerous, back alley” abortions was under 200 by 1965.Last year Politifact looked into a meme posted on Faceb

Host Kim Ketola discusses her own experience and how the mindset of the average young adults who experience abortion is one of ignorance and indifference There is seldom a weighed and measured moral response to a problem pregnancy; abortion is offered as practical and pragmatic problem solving.So, how can we know abortion is wrong based on biblical truth?Although we can’t point to a verse addressing our modern practice of elective abortion, there are several ways of knowing.Exodus 20:13 says, “Thou shall not kill.” Embryology affirms human life is present from conception forward, therefore terminating that life is killing.To deny the humanity of prenatal human beings is the fruit of spiritual confusion and doubt. See Genesis 2-3:16.The Bible is not silent; and silence does not equal consentUncertainty demands caution; if a life could be at stake, we must take measures to protect and not destroy.Deuteronomy 30:11-20 – we are hardwired to choose lifeLeviticus 17:11 – life is in the blood, and every abortion sheds innocent blood.The Bible is clear. Abortion violates God's prohibition of shedding innocent blood. And once we know abortion is a sin, we can prepare our hearts to repent and find forgiveness through confession and the cleansing love of Jesus Christ (see 1 John 1: 8-9).Sources:The Case for Life, by Scott KlusendorfCradle My Heart, Finding God’s Love After Abortion, by Kim KetolaFurther reading:Abortion is not the unforgiveable sin, by R C SproulArticle on Exodus 21 and Abortion from Got QuestionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Wolfe served as a Senior Official in the Trump Administration, and as a Congressional Staffer for three different Members of Congress. He has a B.A. in History from Covenant College, and is currently finishing his Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He writes for The Freedom Center at Liberty University and tweets @William_E_WolfeWilliam's faith journey began with the loss of his younger brother, Evan who tragically died at age 15. Becoming a father further cemented his pro-life convictions.We discuss:discipleship and his faith journeybooks which helped form his conservative worldview such as Thomas Sowell's A Conflict of Visions, and Hayek's The Road to Serfdomhow to leverage social media to advance the faith and argue biblical truthabortion as neo-pagan idolatryGod's anger towards those who sacrifice childrenhow pastors and church leaders can proclaim and uphold the values of motherhood and childbearing as an answer to feminism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann McElhinney and her husband Phelim McAleer are documentary filmmakers at the Unreported Story Society and New York Times best-selling authors. They investigated abortion provider Kermit Gosnell as a serial killer because he was charged and tried and eventually convicted for the deaths of both his clients as well as the deaths of several children who were born alive and then killed by Gosnell with a stroke of scissors to their neck, severing their spinal cords.Ann provides details from her book Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer, and the movie Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer and an update about her new Broadway play. The play is an answer to the Broadway comedy, Oh God, A Show about Abortion. Ann shares the challenge to bring their play, Oh Gosnell, A Show About The Truth to production in New York. Read a review here.Ann stresses the importance of understanding that the barbarism of abortion is legal, and that there can be no neutral parties to it.*Production note: Cradle My Heart Radio has not engaged in contacting political or legislative leaders in the past, nor will it do so in the future. Our mission is proclaiming truth and presenting voices who may be working in the public arena.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgette Forney is President of Anglicans for Life and co-founder of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. As such, she helps people impacted by abortion, especially resolving the grief attached to the loss abortion creates.Sharing her personal story, Georgette encourages repenting abortion as a means to break through the denial that drives women to abort our children. We deny the humanity of our children before the abortion, and we deny the guilt and shame in the aftermath. There is a better way. Grieving reproductive loss frees us and restores us to right relationship with God, ourselves and others.Her powerful and touching story provides a template for pastors and church leaders to welcome women and men to repentance and restoration, and provides resources to support them in the journey, including abortionforgiveness.com.Silent No More Awareness also sponsors the Shockwaves outreach, with resources for the many, many others who may need to repent: siblings, grandparents, friends, bystanders, and yes, the church.Resources specific to churches are listed here. Georgette also provides simple and elegant ways to speak about abortion from the pulpit and within the church, and why it is vital that pastors and leaders do so. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Kiessling was conceived in rape before abortion was legal. She says that she wasn’t born because she was wanted, but rather she was born because her life was protected under the law.As the founder of Savethe1.com she has worked to help pastors to preach and counsel those impacted by pregnancy after rape. The biblical basis for her ministry is Matthew 18:10-14, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones..."In this episode we discuss:Why exceptions for rape in laws against abortion are unethicalWhy some pastors make the problem worse with unbiblical counsel and preachingHow to be the church to women in crisis after rape or other pregnancy crises.Rebecca's work with clergy on this issue is summarized here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Ensor, President of Passion Life says, "I work on engaging pastors as one pastor recovering from doing things poorly to learning to do them well."Begin with the Bible. Key passage: Deuteronomy 21 directs the pastor how to respond when confronted with an innocent person being unjustly murdered.As leaders in the US there’s a deep resistance among the clergy to address abortion, for many reasons. But many are uncertain how to approach it. Dt. 21 gives direction.Leaders are required to lead their people to understand the pre-eminent moral crisis of our time: the shedding of innocent blood. The closer you are, the more responsible you are. The more life-threatening, the more urgent the response. Therefore the church must act in her neighborhood, to prioritize an effective response to rescue and prevention.Pastors' main responsibility is to teach the Bible, and then train and mobilize the people to find the various ways to do the work of rescue. Teach well, and you will have less to do, as people catch the visionBut. Will churches lose members by taking on such a controversial mission? Two heavy lessons demonstrate otherwise.John's books include Answering the Call, and Innocent Blood.His recommended reading includes: The Third Time Around, How Christianity Changed the World, The Case for Life, and his own volume Pregnancy Crisis Intervention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America accounts for a very small percentage of abortions worldwide. Hotspots include Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean, especially Cuba, which has the highest abortion rates in the world, likely due to the dire poverty rates. The common factor in all these areas is communism and materialism as the predominant worldview, unlike the Christian worldview which teaches the inherent value of every human being.What sets America apart, even though abortion remains legal here?Is there a knowledge gap at the level of seminary and pastoral training? If so, what is the answer?What is the comparison between child sacrifice in the Old Testament and the practice abortion in our world today?As President of Passion Life, John is training pastors and local churches to rescue lives and spread the Gospel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Walter Hoye is Founder of Issues 4 LifeHighlights:"Pastor's job is a specific path to communicate God's will and God's way from God's Word. When we do that it won't matter what your politics are, it will matter what God says in His Word."I held my micro-preemie son in the palm of my hand who was under 2 pounds at 22 weeks. I looked at him as if it were to be the last time. God made it plain to me what abortion is and what abortion does. When it became clear, I knew I had to be there to rescue those children." Hoye held a sign outside an Oakland abortion business which simply said, "God loves you and your baby. Let us help you." He shares how his arrest for that peaceful display changed his life."The word "pastor" comes from the word "shepherd." [Pastors] are to make sure all of the sheep get what they need spiritually from the Chief Shepherd by way of His Word."The top 3 barriers pastors face when it comes to abortion:1. Unconfessed sin--many touched personally by abortion2. Choosing treasure over the truth and replacing the mission with the money.3. Lacking information about the nature of the problem of abortion, and being willing to admit they have been wrong.Learn how to address these barriers and become effective messengers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Condemnation may haunt our hearts after abortion. How to discern when God convicts us leading to repentance as distinct from shame as a wrong identity. We may also need toThe richness of the doctrine of forgiveness means Jesus Christ sacrificial death acquits all sin. Acquittal means you are forgiven, and the charge against you is dismissed, because Jesus paid the price. "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21True faith is trusting God; faith is a completely effective remedy to the burden of guilt after sin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Ensor is President of the international pro-life outreach at PassionLife.org, and author of Pregnancy Crisis Intervention, What To Do and Say When it Matters Most.. He says, "Every pregnancy crisis is a crisis of faith."Crises bring stress, panic, defeat, looking for immediate relief, losing the ability to solve problems, and these reactions can only be sustained for six weeks. Knowing that women in crisis pregnancy need to think about their faith, can help us decrease their fear and increase their hope--leading to a choice for life.#John says his story is one of, "repenting your way into the prolife movement."As pastor of a local church he'd been silent on abortion. When his church grew honest about abortions in their midst, he was greatly convicted of failing to teach effectively. He says pastors need to repent, because, "The Bible teaches that you are guilty if you shed innocent blood, but you're also guilty if you shut your eyes to it."From Boston as neighbors helping neighbors, he moved to Miami to develop a pregnancy help centers, and then onto international service, training pastors and churches to establish PHC's worldwide.#John reports that most women choose abortion to please a man. Abortion rights activists may try to spin it as a net good, but people don't talk about abortion due to the shame attached to it.#Stories from the field will encourage and equip you to join the work right where you are. And free resources from his organization are available to download at passionlife.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Ensor is President of Passion Life, pastor, teacher of bioethics, and leader of pregnancy help organizations.John tells us, "Every woman in a pregnancy-related crisis is in a crisis of faith."Pastors all over the world are challenged to teach and preach about abortion. They are hesitant to inflame or hurt people and to sound a clear trumpet. China, Cuba, Guatemala, and elsewhere all over the world pastors face this challenge.The US only represents 3% of abortions worldwide, therefore, abortion is a world mission challenge.China's law included the one-child policy which made pastors submissive to the government. But the Four Questions unlocked their preaching and speaking in their communities. Fear of government is also driving silence worldwide. This is a spiritual battle, as John first learned pastoring a local church. The story is told in his book Answering the Call, Saving Innocent Life One Woman at at Time.The Four Questions method is a training tool for pastors, which can be easily shared in the church, who can then share it with others, based on these questions:What does the Bible say abour human life, including life in the womb? What does the Bible say about the shedding of innocent blood?How do you bring the grace of the gospel to the guilt of abortion so people are forgiven and set free?What has God called us to do to prevent the shedding of innocent blood?Free Downloads are available here and hereJohn's books are available here. And Passion Life offers training for churches and pro-life organizations.Highlight: God forgives abortion, yes, but that is not a permission slip to do evil. "If you can't trust God to help feed your baby, it's going to be a lot harderd to trust God that he's going to be able to forgive you for killing your baby?" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a special place for pastors and pastoral authority in helping those wounded by abortion to both fully repent and to be fully restored. Often mingled guilt and grief leaves those wounded by abortion stuck in worldly sorrow. Here's why and how to help foster the godly sorrow leading to repentance, forgiveness and redemption.1. Not everyone in your church has always been pro-life, and many have had abortions. If you think abortion hasn't happened to your people, you may be mistaken.2. Abortion takes a toll in your community day by day. Check your local Department of Health and learn abortion impact in your neighborhood. Are you meeting your biblical mandate to rescue those being led away to death?3. Those wounded by abortion need to hear a call to repentance and redemption. Silence can increase shame and destroy our true hope.4. Offering healing can prevent more abortions. Practical strategies can add to an atmosphere of welcome in your church.5. Screening for abortion grief can help with spiritual growth and provide true pastoral care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we reconcile and recover from violating our own conscience?What are the barriers to forgiveness after abortion?1 Peter 1:7 The testing of our faith proves its genuineness, of greater worth than gold.Luke 22:31 Jesus predicted Peter's betrayal and Satan sifting him as wheatMoral injury provides a helpful framework. It is similar but distinct from PTSD, often causing us to lose trust in ourselves, and our moral foundations, as well as losing trust in others.Volunteers of America says, "Moral Injury is the injury to a person's moral conscience. The result of betraying your personal moral code can become profound internal suffering.https://www.voa.org/the-war-inside."The ultimate value of spiritual testing (even those tests we may fail) is to benefit the body of Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Lucas is Local Ministry Director of FaithTalk 1360 in PhoenixWe discuss abortion and the church. Highlights:Church is out of touch, including a training gap from seminary to leading the church.Balancing awareness of culture but not being drawn in—learn being holy, yet understanding those who aren’t.How do we make our pro-life values matter in the world?The miracle of ultrasound and the NYT lies about the truth of it.John 10:10 abundant life—abortion stunts spiritual growth, as an emblem of a more general need to create a culture of healing.The life of David models for us that failures are integral to the life of faith.Encouraging pastors to embrace their power to initiate the healing journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cradle My Heart's vision and purpose is to bring abortion recovery to the church. Many churches are vocally pro-life, perhaps overlooking the presence of untold numbers of their members already suffering personal pain and loss due to abortions in the past. Learn just how many Christians are impacted, as well as the impetus and inspiration for addressing this problem through radio broadcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.