PRC Annual Newsletter 2022/2023

Annual Praise Report

In 1985, God stirred Lori and Mary Kay’s hearts as they were starting their families. It became unconscionable to them that in the “City of Churches,“ their church was silent on the matter of abortion. They soon inspired the congregation, and after a year of prayer and planning, PRC of Grand Rapids was born.

Mary Kay Borisch, who helped found the organization, once told me, “We just knew we had to offer life-giving alternatives to abortion in Jesus’ name.” Today, nearly four decades and 5400 life decisions later, PRC continues to echo this same message.

May God open a door for our message

In Michigan, a pre-existing law which bans abortion (except to save the life of the mother) may or may not be allowed to take effect. Michigan’s governor has asked its Supreme Court to declare this law unconstitutional. Abortion proponents have also lobbied hard in an effort to rewrite Michigan’s constitution, and codify abortion therein.

As this Praise Report goes to print, it’s uncertain what will happen to abortion rights in our state. What is certain, however, is that women who are pregnant and don’t want to be will

MI abortion law revised (still illegal with greater penalties for abortionists)

PRC vision (from small group of friends)

MI law bans ALL abortions (except to save the life of the mother)

Planned Parenthood founded (broadens birth control & abortion conversations)

1973

Roe v Wade & Doe v Bolton Supreme Court decisions

1985

PRC opens (offers pregnancy testing, counseling, & material suppport)

Support Services in Wyoming opens (for families in need)

1993

PRC begins offering ultrasounds (game changer)

1995 2010

PRC Willing to Wait® begins (education program)

PRC will be serving women experiencing unplanned pregnancies.

We will always offer life-giving alternatives to abortion in Jesus’ name.

PRC STD clinic opens (STD testing & treatment)

Willing to Wait: The Whole Truth (program created for students in churches)

2016 2017

The Whole Sex Talk (series released for parents in churches)

Cradles of Grace joins PRC (connecting families with churches)

Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health (reaches the Supreme Court)

2022

PRC increases ultrasound capacity (God provided ahead of the Roe ruling)

2022

Supreme Court overturns Roe

law blocked from taking effect in MI

Abortion legal Abortion illegal

2022

PROCLAIM

MYSTERY

MESSAGE

P roactive education

Provides intervention BEFORE a pregnancy or STD occurs

W2W Healthy You™ is our sexual risk avoidance program, taught in public and private schools as well as church and community environments. In elementary schools, we offer the Healthy Me, Healthy Relationships™ curriculum and in middle schools and high schools, we provide instruction through our own Willing to Wait® curriculum. Our program, taught annually to over 6,000 students in more than 60 different area schools, churches, and community organizations, gives students the knowledge and skills they need to delay sexual activity until marriage.

Our Biblically-based program, The Whole Sex Talk®, gives parents and youth workers confidence to talk to kids about love, sex, and relationships.

Students surveyed are willing to wait until marriage

Students received our Willing to Wait® program

Students attended our drama team performances

Empowers women & men with information they need to make a life decision today

Our focused digital marketing campaign ensures that when women search for abortion online, they’ll find a site with information that’s designed just for them. Our scheduling line is available between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm so anyone can schedule a confidential PRC appointment for that very day or the next, including free pregnancy testing, a free ultrasound, STD testing, and an advocate appointment. Once at PRC, patients are given professional medical care in a respectful, no-pressure environment from our registered nurses, physician’s assistant, certified ultrasound technicians, and advocates. Most importantly, these medical appointments are covered in prayer. As we share the truth about life in the womb and we show the love of Christ, we trust God to work in the lives of men and women.

2021 RESULTS

Provides opportunities for transformation through Christ

First Steps is our program that walks alongside women during their pregnancy when they are still vulnerable to making an abortion decision.

Advocate appointments support moms and dads who are parenting babies and toddlers. Parents know they are not alone through our Christ-centered classes, coaching, community referrals, and gifts of essential mom and baby supplies such as diapers, formula, clothes, and pack ’n plays for safe sleep. And finally, we offer our Cradles of Grace program for moms who want to go deeper with a weekly Bible study and connection to a local church. We know that the most dynamic and transformative impact will come as families connect with the Body of Christ.

proactive education

This class was very empowering and I’m glad my mother decided to sign me up for it.

After W2W, I now know my worth and I understand that I don’t have to change the way I am to please someone else.

When I talked to my mom about what we learned, she said it was a good investment in my future. I think my whole life could change because I have decided not to have sex until I am married. I now understand I can say no to anything and that there are outcomes to your decisions.

- Actual student comments

Pictured: Sarah VanGessel, Education Instructor

LORD, HELP US KNOW HOW TO ANSWER

QUESTIONS WITH WISDOM.

Responsive Medical Care

When we saw our baby on the ultrasound screen and heard her heart beating, we both were so excited. It’s been a hard pregnancy with nausea and other health concerns. But PRC has been there from the beginning, encouraging, teaching, and giving me help with maternity clothes and even a car seat. - Jess*, Medical and Support Services Mom *name changed to protect confidentiality

MAY OUR CONVERSATIONS ALWAYS BE FULL OF GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT. COLOSSIANS 4:6a

PR C

Compassionate support

Coming to PRC has changed my life. I am more at peace no matter what I’m going through. I feel supported and encouraged by the way you meet with me and help with things for my baby. I love being part of Cradles of Grace. I have learned so much about the Bible and how to love and encourage others. - Valerie*, Support Services Mom *name changed to protect confidentiality

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

We are called to pray

Recently, an abortion-minded mom declined to return to PRC for a follow-up appointment and she left our office still determined to abort.

However, just after PRC’s prayer text* was sent, this same woman called PRC to share that she had changed her mind. Now, she is considering parenting or adoption.

What a turn-around! Not only was a baby’s life saved, but a mom was encouraged and empowered to choose a different path. We are so thankful to God for answering prayers on behalf of PRC.

*Camellia, Medical Services Patient Advocate, pictured left, writes and sends prayer texts to our prayer team.

JOIN OUR PRAYER TEAM

TEXT: 616-877-7729 (PRAY),

TYPE: PRAY4PRC IN THE TEXT BOX, AND HIT SEND.

Devote yourselves to prayer. Colossians 4:2a

Be wise in the way you act toward those around you.

WHY WE GIVE

Jeff and Kim Darter

For us, being pro-life means we value the life of an unborn child just as much as the life of the mother because both are created in the image of God. We love that PRC not only encourages women to make the choice for life and therefore saves babies, but they also care for the mother in a holistic way with the programs and support services they offer. Diapers, formula, safe sleep, parenting classes and Bible study show moms they are loved and not alone. PRC truly lives out the mission that every life matters to God and that’s why we wholeheartedly support PRC.

PRC RESULTS

R

OUR VISION

of human life

God’s

being the most trusted and respected source

education,

services that encourage, empower, restore, and redeem through the Lord Jesus Christ.

1995)

served in

services (since 2010)

MOTHER’S DAY honorees

Elaine Pearson

Kathryn Pfister

Lois Poll

Letha Potts

Mary Decker Pray

Rikki Jo Rempe

June Sinning

Linda Stevens

Eleanor Terry

Midge Tucker

Carol VanBruggen

Joan VanderPloeg

Jeanette Barber

Ruth Biesbrock

Barb Bolkema

Dianne Carlson

Rita DeBoer

Trudy DeWindt

Edith Docter

Marilyn Joyce Dombak

Rachel Grow

Lois Hendricks

Madeline Lynn Hilton

Bobbie Holmes

Cheryl Huisman

Fran Huisman

Peggy Hull

Marion Jesse

Joanne Johnson

Nina Klee

Joyce Koppenhofer

Janet Decker Krueger

Joan Miner

Lois Mol

Jennie Nichols

Shannon See

Sheryl See

Susan Patmos

Judy VanderZwaag

Heather Venneman

Sue Visser

Allisun Westhouse

Mary Westhouse

Marge Wiggers

Barb Winterhalter

Kelsey Zoodsma

Laurie Zoodsma

Julie Kim

Lela

Monica

My Mom in Heaven

2021/22 EVENT sponsors

PLATINUM & GOLD SPONSORS

Alliance Investment Management, LLC

AMDG Architects, Inc

Close Air Support, Ltd

Dan Vos Construction Co

Design 1 Salon & Day Spa, Inc

Express Employment Professionals

Granger Group

Harvest Health Foods

HighPoint Electric

INONTIME, Inc

Integrity Business Solutions

North Light Advisors

Olivier-VanDyk Insurance Agency, Inc

Parkway Electric & Communications, LLC

Pioneer Construction

Protect Young Eyes

Redstar Foundation

Rick & Cheri Senica

Superior Foods Co

Wally & June Blume

Weather Shield Roofing Systems

West Michigan Brick & Stone

SILVER & BRONZE SPONSORS

Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille

Buist Electric

Filla Life Media LLC

Integrated Exteriors

IntentPR

Jay & Helen Smith

K & H Concrete Cutting, Inc

Kent Companies, Inc

Kleyn Electric

Sam & Barb Kovalak

Spaanstra Brothers Automotive

Ron Foster, Attorney at Law

VanLaan Concrete Construction Inc

OTHER

Clique Catering, LLC

Grand Rapids First

2023

Walk for Life June 17, 2023

Golf for Life September 8, 2023

November 2, 2023

Speaker: Steve Arterburn

We thank God for His Word that guides and directs the path of PRC. This year’s Praise Report scriptures have been taken from Colossians 4:2-6.