January 16 is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar and churches are encouraged to use this day as an opportunity to help educate their congregations about this important topic.
Help is available through an initiative called “The Invitation Stands.” This initiative seeks to build closer relationships between SBC churches and pregnancy resource centers. Specifically, churches are encouraged to participate in the following ways:
1. Visit your local pregnancy resource center and pray for or with the center director that God will:
- protect center personnel from harm, discouragement or doubt from the enemy.
- meet the spiritual, physical, and financial needs of the center and staff.
- give the counselors wisdom and boldness in sharing the Gospel.
- change the minds and hearts of mothers who are considering abortion.
- bring healing through Christ to women who have chosen abortion in the past.
2. Discover and meet needs the pregnancy resource center may have:
- donate baby clothing, furniture, car seat or formula.
- provide food, clothing and a safe place for an expecting mother.
- serve as a mentor for expecting mothers.
- sponsor a baby shower for the center with clothing, furniture, diapers or formula.
- partner with the center to teach young women good parenting skills.
- plan a mission trip to the center for maintenance, painting and re-decorating.
3. Place “The Invitation Stands” inserts or a similar notice in the church bulletin on Sunday, Jan. 9 or 16. Inserts (downloadable FREE), sermon helps, and additional information are available at www.kybaptist.org/pregnancycare. Pre-printed bulletin inserts are also available for purchase (package of 100 for $3.99) here.
4. Invite the director or a representative to share with the church about how God is working through the pregnancy resource center and how you can be involved.
Church leaders should call the center director first before visiting to pray, meeting a need or making a delivery to determine an appropriate time to come. For a list of the Kentucky Baptist affiliated pregnancy resource centers, visit: www.kybaptist.org/pregnancycare.