Banquet for Life

Did you know that in 2011 we know of at least 97 babies that were saved from abortion? 

Or that we had more than 5,500 visits through Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Test Center – including clients who came for pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, parenting classes, fatherhood programs, childbirth classes, and more? And, did you know that the gospel was presented more than 1,100 times to those clients? 

These things are accomplished through the generous support of our faithful donors.  The majority of our donors support us as a result of our annual Banquet for Life!

On April 19, 2012, Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Test Center will be holding its annual fundraising dinner. Our annual banquet provides an opportunity to expose new people to the Pregnancy Test Center and ultimately the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through hosting a complimentary dinner with a speaker and a message, Sav-A-Life intends to raise a greater awareness for the organization and the mission as well as raise support for the coming year through prayer, financial means, and volunteer services.

Last year’s guest speaker was abortion survivor Gianna Jessen, who challenged the audience to stand up boldly for the sanctity of human life. Through God’s provision and the support of those in attendance, Sav-A-Life raised over half the year’s budget expenses and was able to share the goals and vision for the ministry with almost 500 individuals.

Just a few memories….

Last Year's Theme

Featured Speaker Gianna Jessen

The Beautiful Dinner

Emcee-Stephen Hauck Morning TV anchor

Track 7: The Evening's Musical Entertainment

This year our featured speaker will be singer/performer Rebecca St. James. The theme is “Life—A beautiful choice.” We look forward to watching the Lord work in the hearts and minds of all involved in the night’s events and all those who will be directly or indirectly influenced by the ministry as a result. 

If you are interested in attending this year’s banquet or perhaps hosting a table for the event and inviting guests, please call (205) 979-0302.

More info on the guest speaker and the night’s events soon!

 Cassie, Sav-A-Life Intern

Celebrating Life

The Gift of Birth Baby Shower provides a way for people to minister to our clients. The showers can be a wonderful ministry opportunity for small groups or church groups and most are held in a church setting. Each expecting mother brings one support person and receives gift packages including many items for when they bring their baby home. Usually between 20 and 30 people attend including the mothers and their support persons, the hosts, the childbirth educator, and the fatherhood coordinator. The most recent baby shower turned out very well and was a lot of fun for those in attendance. Since I was unable to attend, it was exciting to watch the shower unfold through videos and photos as the expecting parents got involved in games and enjoyed fellowship together.

This Baby Shower was held at the Caroline House at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, large enough to accommodate all mothers involved. There were treats and gifts, fun games and a time of prayer and blessing.

The decor was lovely and the food delicious. 

 The expecting mothers played memory games and received prizes.

The Hostesses truly displayed the love of Christ through their ministry and the way they loved on the mothers. Watch a hostess share her reason for serving in this particular area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxoWU3fI5is.

Russell shared about the Fatherhood ministry, and about how we want to emphasize the importance of a father in a child’s life. He was also able to share the gospel with those who attended the shower. We are so blessed to have him as our fatherhood coordinator! (Watch the YouTube video here to hear Russell's fatherhood presentation). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwcvjbGa_aA

What a joy these women were!
One woman expresses her thanks for the shower:

 

 A time of prayer and a blessing over the children followed. Russell and Vicki both prayed with the mothers and their support: To hear Russel's prayer, watch here.

If the Gift of Birth Baby Shower seems like a serving opportunity you don’t want to pass up, let us know! If you’re interested please contact Vicki Angel at (205) 979-1703 or email her at vickiangell@savalife.org

~Cassie, Sav-A-Life Intern 

A Service

This afternoon at 1pm Sav-A-Life held a memorial service for the recorded 53 million abortions since the Roe vs. Wade court decision to legalize abortion in the United States. It was a time to remember the lives lost due to abortions and the lives that were forever impacted and changed as a result. Prayer, scripture reading, and a dedication and blessing of those precious babies to the Lord were included.

We sat together in humble silence, song, and confession, as we worshiped the Lord, mourned the loss of these children, and praised the Father for his sovereign mercy.

Prayer of Confession:

"Let us confess our sins unto Almighty God. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep, 

we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, 

we have offended against Thy holy laws, 

we have left undone the things which we ought to have done, 

and we have done those things which we ought not to have done...

Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; 

and grant, O merciful Father, for His sake, that we may hereafter 

live a Godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy Name.

Amen."

As we prayed this prayer, I was particularly convicted of leaving "undone the things which we ought to have done, and doing those things which we ought not to have done." What a gracious Father we have to forgive us of our unfaithfulness. We praise Him for the lives he brings into this world and those he takes home to be with him. Everything according to His perfect will.

One moment that struck my heart and will continue to remain with me was the ringing of the bells. We sat in silence as the bells were rung 53 times for the 53 million lives lost. We mourn, but we also rejoice that these unknown lives are with Jesus today.

 Following the ringing of the bells, the floor was opened to light a candle in memory of each specific life lost. It was a time of silent reflection and prayer.

As we closed with a prayer and a blessing, we remembered the healing that Christ brings to all our hearts, and the way in which His glory may be seen through every circumstance.

"I bring all my energies to bear on this one thing: 

forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." 

Philippians 3:13

We will continue to pray for those who are hoping for healing in the times ahead. It is only through our Father we may find full forgiveness and healing.

Cassie, 

Sav-A-Life Vestavia Intern

Motivation

I was fifteen when my life was first truly interrupted by the knowledge that unborn children were dying every day with no voice to defend them. I saw images from failed abortions that will forever be engraved in my mind. I was impacted, but unsure of how I could really influence or change the status quo. I was passionate about preserving the sanctity of human life, and standing for what I believed in, but how was I to go about making a stance as a teen? I researched the issue and the arguments made for pro-choice and pro-life stances. I wrote a paper discussing the issue. This was not enough, but as it often does, life became crazy and I got caught up in other things. School, travel, mission trips, and sports consumed my everyday life. My desire to do something about our nation’s current situation and make a difference in the lives of women faced with this decision was pushed to the back of my mind. I never meant to disregard what God had instilled in my heart as an important mission, but for years I did just that. My immediate worries and concerns over the direction my life was going seemed to be priority at the time. I knew what I believed, but not knowing how to act on this particular belief, I stalled.

Even so, as I reflect on how I came to this place in my life, I recognize God’s goodness, His mercy, and His guidance. I may make plans and not follow through, but everything happens in His timing, and He motivated me to action in a way I would not have expected.

Here I was, my senior year of college, praying for direction in finding an internship in order to finish my degree in Communication Studies at the University of Montevallo. I had heard about Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Test Center before and knew vaguely about their ministry to women who had had abortions or who were seeking counseling for making decisions regarding their pregnancy. However, it wasn’t until I sought out organizations, magazines, or any other venue that would serve as a place of learning for my degree, that I realized here was an opportunity to make a small difference.

In His grace and sufficiency, the Lord provided me an opportunity to serve Him and others while filling requirements for my education at the same time. Although I did not immediately act on what God laid on my heart, I do believe the Lord was presenting an opportunity for me to serve now, so I took it.

As an intern at Sav-A-Life, I may work on communication skills in public relations, marketing, counseling, and writing. Creative projects coupled with an eclectic mix of communication related outlets sum up my job description. Here I am able to practice my creative interests in communication, art, and writing—all of it for a specific purpose: to glorify the Lord. Motivated by an issue God laid on my heart years ago, I can now serve in a way I never expected. But isn’t that how God always works?

Cassie, Sav-A-Life Intern