PRC Annual Newsletter 2019/2020

the jacob report 2019/20

surely God is in this place

the jacob report 2019/20

surely God is in this place As I reflect on our past year, I know beyond a doubt that the LORD is in this place. There is no other explanation.

Sure, our team is the best. That might sound like hyperbole, but we have a unified, qualified team of Jesus followers. I count myself blessed to work with each team member. They are remarkable professionals.

But that alone doesn’t answer the question I receive regularly: how do you do so much on your nonprofit budget?

My answer: THE LORD! I feel a little like Jacob, amazed by and overwhelmed by God’s presence. When he woke from a “dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it,” his first response was to say,

“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it….How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:12 & 16b-17 (NIV) Our LORD JESUS CHRIST is the beginning and the end, both of life itself and of the PRC’s work specifically.

With special thanks to our friends at Swift Printing for the gift of the Jacob report.

Pictured: Jim Sprague, CEO, at our Walk for Life event with Kiera, who came to the PRC and chose life for her daughter, Selah.

We are here because HE is here and YOU are here to partner with God in this life-saving, lifehonoring work.

As I reflect on

I have a front row seat to God sightings each day. After reading our Jacob report I think you’ll agree, surely the LORD is in this place!

a doubt, that

our past year, I know, beyond the LORD is in this place.

There is no other explanation.

Jim Sprague, MSW Chief Executive Officer

prcforlife.org

surely God is in the

classroom

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

Our student leadership teams provide real life examples of students who are willing to wait. We are grateful for our students!

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Pictured: Student leadership team members Bethany, Taylor, Alex, and Elizabeth with team advisor, Joseph Sheffer.

I’m waiting because...

I have a future ahead of me.

I want to have a healthy relationship and an education.

how you can help willing to wait® leadership team is composed of teens, college students, and adult mentors. Contact joseph@willingtowait.com for information. the whole sex talk® is a great resource for parent education.

Visit thewholesextalk.com to bring this multimedia presentation to your church.

Contact sarah.vangessel@prcgr.org for information.

I don’t want STDs. I don’t want emotional baggage.

Whole Sex

prcforlife.org

surely God is in the

ultrasound room

When Jillian* came to the PRC, she was not particularly easy to love. Toughened by life and her circumstances, she spoke with limited inflection, making sure we knew she already scheduled an abortion at the local clinic, just minutes from our downtown office.

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She had the money, the time, and the plan. She just wanted the ultrasound so she could verify the viability of her pregnancy and the size to help determine the procedure and cost of her upcoming abortion.

During her ultrasound, Jillian’s downcast eyes and face of stone revealed no emotion. When necessary, she used short, business-like replies. Even when she discovered that she was already almost 18 weeks gestation, she did not vary her tone or approach.

When Jillian left our office still planning to abort her baby, our sonographer and nurse felt the weight of discouragement as they prayed for the LORD to change her heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

Thankfully, we know God works in mysterious ways.

So we prayed and we asked for God’s intervention. Our staff prayed for Jillian all week.

On the morning when Connie, our nurse, was scheduled to make her routine, follow-up call on Jillian’s ultrasound, Connie prayed and took a deep breath before making the call.

When Jillian answered the phone, she sounded like a different person. The first thing she said was, “The ultrasound made all the difference!” She said she couldn’t get the images out of her mind. In fact, she and her boyfriend sat in the parking lot of the abortion clinic for three hours on the day her abortion was scheduled and finally decided they couldn’t do it. *Name changed to protect this mom’s identity

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.

Jeremiah 1:5a (NIV)

305

life decisions made in 2018 how you can help prayer is the first resort and not the last at the PRC. Please join our prayer team and receive our urgent texts by texting 313131, keyword pray4prc. For more information, email vicki.degrazier@prcgr.org. give the gift of life by donating online, making a monthly donation, or including the PRC in your will.

For more information, go to prcforlife.org or contact lori.nelson@prcgr.org. baby bottle campaign provides an opportunity for your children or small groups to get involved. We supply the bottles and you fill them with change.

Contact vicki.degrazier@prcgr.org. bless a baby or a mom by collecting maternity or baby items.

Contact vicki.degrazier@prcgr.org.

prcforlife.org

surely God is in the

counseling room

“You helped us SO much!”

Pictured left: Meredith and her son at the PRC’s parenting class in 2013.

Pictured right: Meredith and her family on Easter morning 2019.

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Pictured: Moms and children who attend our Bible workshop class at our caring support office.

how you can help

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

cradles of grace volunteers and small group leaders help build relationships with moms and their children. caring support sorters organize, sort, and display baby items at our Support Services office. caring support advocates begin their volunteer journey as a sorter, volunteering weekly, and become equipped to meet with individual clients. small group and church opportunities are available by appointment.

visit prcforlife.org/volunteer for more information.

(NIV) prcforlife.org

cradles of grace families

surely God is with our 9

We look forward to seeing how God continues to work in and through the PRC as more moms receive hope through our Cradles of Grace Christ-centered support. Surely God is in this place!

One mom said she would have aborted her baby without the support of her Cradles of Grace family. She said, ”I’m so happy I chose life for this baby!”

Another mom earned her Bachelor’s degree.

A mom changed her living arrangements and created a healthier environment for her children after our relational boundaries lesson.

Four moms and their families now attend their Cradles’ host church. One mom prayed to receive Christ as savior. And her boyfriend did too!

Three moms have married their boyfriends.

Pictured Left: Cradles of Grace mom, Nancy, and her son, Owen.

Pictured Right: Angela and Henry just after saying, “I do!”

2018/19

cradles of grace at a glance 468

p r a y e r r e q u e st s

213

p r a i se s d u r i n g prayer time

43

moms

71

children Pictured: Michelle, a Cradles of Grace graduate and center volunteer, with her children.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

105

s ep a r a t e c e n t e r B i b l e s t u d y se ssi o n s

11 , 9 7 0 i ndi v i d u al m e a l s se r v e d 357

p r es en t s d e l i v e r e d a t C h r i st m a s

100

m om s & c h i l d r e n a t o u r end of y e a r c e l e b r a t i o n picnic

9 guest presentations on relationships, spiritual growth, financial skills, and educational options prcforlife.org

surely God is with our

mothers Because of my choices, I had this child. And because of this child, I had to quit my team and the sport I loved, leave the best school I’ve ever studied at, and move out of my parents’ home before I felt ready. But because of this child, I am no longer a slave to the sin that I once was able to hide, I now better understand the love that my Father in heaven has for me, and I get to be called Mama. I get to watch her grow up, make mistakes, and learn about God’s grace on her own. And for that I am so grateful.

– Rosie’s Mom

“I get to be called Mama” Pictured: Mary* with her husband, Peter*, and their daughter, Rosie. *We requested that our names be changed for confidentiality.

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mother’s day

honorees 2019

Barb Bouwman Dianne Carlson Hildegarde Crawford Florence Funk Bobbie Holmes Joanne Johnson Lora Lehmann Joan Miner Deb Mol Lois Mol Pictured: Cradles of Grace mom, Monique, and her daughter, Monica.

Charlotte Mutti Gertrude Prins

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

Rikki Jo Rempe Zahara Joy Kaiserlian Reyburn Tammie Rozeboom June Sinning Evelyn Van Shirley VanderKlippe Anna Waltz Marjorie Wiggers Audrey Wiltjer Elizabeth Winters Catherine Zeemering Doris and Lois Julie, Kim, and Monica prcforlife.org

surely God is with our

faithful supporters You are indeed awesome!

results 1985-present 4,641 life decisions 3,604 decisions made for Christ 182,174 client contacts 96,581 students instructed in our W2WÂŽ sexual risk avoidance program 4,447 clients served in STD/STI services since 2010

financial partners 2018-19

67% individuals

15% foundations

9%

businesses

8%

churches

1% nonprofit organizations

surprise visitor Kylin, 8, was excited to bring in the $26 she raised for the PRC through “business day” at school. Kylin and another student in her class came up with the idea to make stress balls which they then sold on “business day.” Part of the earnings were to be given to an organization of their choice, and Kylin knew from the beginning that she wanted to support the PRC! (Side note: Kylin’s dad, Adam, previously served on our board of directors.)

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 1:16 (NIV)

prcforlife.org

how awesome is this place!

“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it….How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:16b-17 (NIV)

preventive education services

education 2018/19 results

provide intervention before a pregnancy or STD occurs 5,508 Students taught our Willing to Wait® curriculum

94

Decisions & recommitments to follow Christ

1,915 Students enjoyed our drama team performances (38 separate presentations)

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62%

Students surveyed are willing to wait until marriage

The Whole Sex Talk® Our biblically based, six-session multimedia program empowers adults to have healthy, ongoing conversations with young people about love, sex, and relationships. The program includes six sessions that utilize short films, brutally honest parent and teen testimonials, and expert panel interviews. For information, visit thewholesextalk.com.

Willing to Wait® For more than 24 years, we have provided our sexual risk avoidance program to both public and private schools.

Willing to Wait® is an eight-session researchbased and medically accurate program that gives students the knowledge and skill necessary to responsibly manage their relationships and delay sexual activity until marriage. Visit willingtowait.com for more information.

responsive medical services

medical 2018 results

empower men and women during a time of crisis Our staff and volunteers provide accurate information about pregnancy, abortion procedures, adoption, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We also assist those in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy by offering free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds (with some restrictions) performed by sonographers certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. STD testing and treatment increases our outreach and helps us continue to build relationships with clients.

2,826

Client contacts

751

Pregnancy tests

292

305

Life decisions

534

Spiritual conversations

Ultrasounds

966

Clients received STD/STI testing and treatment

4

Decisions made for Christ

caring support services

support services 2018 results

provide opportunities for transformation through Christ 2,612 Client contacts

77 78,164 Items distributed

Women who came to our weekly Cradles of Grace centers

1,875

Spiritual conversations/ prayer

34

We walk alongside newly pregnant women still vulnerable to making an abortion plan, while also providing assistance with practical needs for moms and their babies. This past year, we distributed more than 78,000 items, including formula, food, diapers, baby clothing, maternity clothes, toys, bedding, and cribs! Through our Cradles of Grace program, we have an even greater impact as we offer weekly Bible studies, hot meals, and relationship-building opportunities for moms who need support.

Decisions made for Christ prcforlife.org

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 (NIV)

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2018/19

event sponsors platinum & gold sponsors Advanced Fulfillment, Inc Agency Insurance & Financial Services AMDG Architects, Inc Close Air Support, Ltd Dan Vos Construction Co Design 1 Salon & Day Spa, Inc Discovery Financial, LLC Harvest Health Foods HighPoint Electric INONTIME, Inc Integrity Business Solutions Olivier-VanDyk Insurance Agency, Inc Parkway Electric & Communications, LLC Pioneer Construction Richwood Industries, Inc Rick & Cheri Senica Superior Foods Co Wally & June Blume Weather Shield Roofing Systems

upcoming events gala 2019 november 7 walk for life 2020 june 20 golf for life 2020 september 18 (tentative)

gala 2020 october 29

silver & bronze sponsors Alliance Investment Management, LLC Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille Buist Electric Genzink Appraisal Co Helmholdt & Company LLP Intent, LLC Jay & Helen Smith Kent Companies, Inc Miller Welding Supply Co Sam & Barb Kovalak Spaanstra Brothers Automotive Total Fire Protection Williams Kitchen & Bath Windemuller, Inc

other Clique Coffee Bar Grand Rapids First Gymco Jonny Logo

prcforlife.org

2019/20

WALLY & JUNE BLUME

2019 lead sponsors:

Return Service Requested

administrative office 415 Cherry Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

the jacob report

GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT #572

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