NGPC 2018 Magazine

ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 2

Inside

IMPACT: 2 Lives Transformed

After Jail and an Abortion

The Power of Fathers in the Life of the Unborn

Dear Friends for Life, We are delighted to have an annual magazine for our community that represents our ministry and the people we serve. This is our second publication of the Heartbeat of North Georgia, a publication of the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center here in Jasper, Georgia. Our partners that advertise in this publication made it possible for us to produce something that we trust will encourage, challenge, and inspire you in the days ahead.

The emphasis this year has been focused on the idea of how we can best IMPACT our community.

By meeting people right where they are in life, we get to know them, their struggles, their pain, their hurts, and their challenges. I Thessalonians 5:13-15 makes it very clear what our mission is to be.

“Be at peace among yourselves … and we urge you brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

These verses give us our focus and our vision in our ministry.

We have all broken God’s commands and make decisions with unfavorable consequences. We grow weary and forget there is hope. Forgiveness has been provided for us through the forgiveness of sins made possible by the blood of Jesus on the cross. When people feel hopeless, they become stagnant and are unable to make decisions and move forward. They are weak and see no clear path ahead.

Often it takes time and patience in working with others, just as our Heavenly Father is patient with us.

We find that many people have never heard the truths that are clearly presented in the Gospel. So many have believed lies and been deceived by what the world has to offer. We have the opportunity with every person who comes to the Center, to share the truth of the Word, pray with them, listen to them, help them with their present needs, give them hope and love, and expect nothing in return. We are able to offer them tangible items through our “Earn While You Learn” program.

“Rejoice” … this is what our Chairman of the Board William Mostellar always says as he is walking out the door. Yes, we should rejoice because we have so much hope and our desire is to share this hope with everyone we come in contact with. And always remember to pray and give thanks.

Thank you for joining with us in this ministry. To God be the Glory, great things He hath done!

With love and gratitude to each one of you,

Pat Page, Executive Director Psalms 78:1-8

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Table of Contents Letter From the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Features IMPACT: 2 Lives Transformed After Jail and an Abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Power of Fathers in the Life of the Unborn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Laying a Path to Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Making an IMPACT Being a Father to the Fatherless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Partnering With the Local Church to Meet the Needs of Surprise Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Touching Lives Cross-Culturally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3 Kids and One on the Way Pushes Couple to the Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Partnering With the Local Hospital to Meet Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Ministry of Being Present and Praying . . . . . 22

Celebrations!

10 Years of Service to the Community . . . . . . . . . . 18 Volunteers for NGPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 NGPC Celebrates 25 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Angel Babies Boutique's Grand Re-Opening a Huge Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Making a Bigger Impact -- With Your Help . . . . . . 31

NGPC Board and Staff Board: • William Mostellar, Chairman • Wayne Collier, Treasurer • Harriet Stroh • Matt Rees • Steve Kroening Staff: • Pat Page Executive Director • Ralph Barker Development Director • Robie Rens (volunteer) Director of Client Services • Emily Cribb Administrative Assistant • Madison Davis - Store Manager Mission Statement: • Bring compassionate help and hope to women and families who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

• Present sexual abstinence as the only option for teens and singles.

• Influence community-wide educational programs and events in an effort to prevent pregnancy outside of marriage.

• Provide counseling for healing and restoration for those who have had abortions.

• Share the Good News of the Gospel. © Heartbeat of North Georgia is a publication of the North Georgia Pregnancy Center and Family Resource Center.

Publisher: Steve Kroening Design Director: Kevin Cole

Help Us Meet the Needs of the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center If you'd like to donate to the Center, please visit babyontheway.org and click on the Help Us tab at the top of the page. Thank you for helping us save lives and meet the needs of these families.

All rights reserved.

1549 East Church Street Jasper, GA 30143 | 706-253-6303 info@babyontheway.org www.babyintheway.org

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IMPACT

How God Used NGPC to Change the Lives of Two People After Jail and an Abortion 4

The North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center is all about providing counseling for healing and restoration.

When a woman goes through an abortion, there’s a lot more going on her life that needs help. We recently had the opportunity to work with a couple who had gone through with an abortion. As we talked to them, it became clear that there was much more going on than just dealing with the abortion.

The Lord was working in their hearts and He was showing just how big of an impact we could have on their lives with His grace.

Ryan and Heather had met as teenagers 18 years ago. But they didn’t start dating until their late 20s, when Heather was going through a divorce and had two children. Then things started to move quickly. Heather said: “I left my husband, who took custody of our two sons, and moved in with Ryan. Within a few weeks, we became pregnant with our son, River. At that time, we were heavily using meth and other drugs together. Ryan was ecstatic about becoming a dad after suffering a miscarriage with a previous girlfriend years prior. But I was a little less excited.

“After the first trimester, I stopped using drugs, and we went on to have a very healthy eight-pound son in January 2011. When our son was four months old, I came home from a trip to the grocery store to find Ryan holding our sleeping baby boy. Sitting on our son’s chest was a ring box. Ryan quietly and sweetly asked if I would marry them. I excitedly said YES! While both of them wanted to get married, the wedding took a backseat to their drug addictions. Instead of getting married, their relationship would become a roller coaster of turmoil and darkness. Heather said, “Fueled by daily drug use, we fought and fought. We became liars and cheaters and thieves. Most of the terrible things we did, we would do to each other, but we never gave up on our family.”

Ryan was devastated and in jail. Heather was devastated and alone. “Life was so hurtful and I was in a very dark place. I was still using meth every day. I was living with a friend and was able to maintain a job somehow even though I was arrested twice and out on bond. I was eventually able to get Ryan out of jail on a $20,000 bond after hiring an attorney with my tax return. Things were looking up, although the drug use never let up.”

More Jail Time ...

One poor decision after another finally landed Heather in jail. This time for three months with no bond. “It seemed that overnight, I was facing multiple felony charges and looking at spending many years in prison.

Ryan was out on bond and taking care of our son. It was during this time in jail that I discovered I was once again pregnant. It was also during this time that I began to seek God, as I felt strongly that God’s hand was very much involved with placing me in jail so that another abortion would not be optional. It also forced me to become sober.”

At the beginning of her second trimester, Heather was released from prison and placed on 10 years of felony probation. But their lives continued to be a string of bad choices. Ryan’s two cases were pending court hearings and they did everything possible to escape his inevitable sentencing. They wanted him to be home to see his second child born. So Ryan skipped his court dates and they went on the run.

More Drugs ...

Any money they made, they quickly spent on drugs.

They would commit crimes to help pay for their drugs.

It didn’t take long before the law caught up with them.

Ryan was arrested. He faced serious charges of burglary and drug possession in two different counties.

After his arrest, Heather learned she was pregnant with their second child. She was homeless, sleeping in their car with their 2-year-old son. That’s when Heather made a decision that would haunt her and Ryan forever. “Not knowing how long Ryan would be sentenced to prison, and facing my own daily struggles trying to survive with one child,” she said, “I made the difficult decision to have an abortion.”

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For several months, they ducked and dodged the law, all the while feeding their growing drug addictions.

Then on August 5, 2015, Heather gave birth to a healthy six-pound baby girl – Riley. Heather said, “We were so happy and, at the time, were able to avoid thinking or even talking about the fact that Ryan had been on the run for almost a year. We moved into a nice home and I landed a job at a dental office just down the street from our new home. Ryan was able to avoid his arrest warrants, not only for our daughter’s birth, but he made it to see her turn one.”

Then Their Lives Changed Drastically The police caught up to them and arrested Ryan. Their run had come to an end. And this date marks the drastic change in his life. It was on that day that he sat, hand cuffed in the back of a cop car, facing charges that would without question send him away from his family for a very long time that he looked up at the sky, meth still surging through his system, that he vocally surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.

Ryan would spend the next many months praying, reading the word, and seeking out God while we waited the sentence for his charges. He received a nine-month sentence to RSAT, a Georgia Department of Corrections prison-based rehab program.

While Ryan’s life was changing for the better, Heather’s was falling apart. She became involved with some terrible people. She started seeing another man who was abusive. His anger was raging and uncontrollable. “Ryan quickly picked up on the dark place I had allowed myself to get into,” said Heather.

“Every time we spoke, he continued to maintain his desire to marry me and to become a real family and that he would help me. I would learn much later that he spent his days while incarcerated learning how to maintain his sobriety through a relationship with God and that he labored in prayer constantly for me and the kids.”

Even though Ryan was faithfully praying, Heather continued to spiral out of control. She told Ryan she was through with their relationship. But his love remained steadfast. After his release, Heather was put in jail for a probation violation. She lost everything.

Her car, her home, and everything in it.

God's Clear Faithfulness Prison’s forced sobriety allowed Heather to see God’s hand in all of this. Her children were safe and with their dad. As always, Ryan was there for her. They renewed their commitment to each other and to their children to do things differently once I was released and to never turn to drugs again.

While Heather was in jail, “I saw the power of God in my life. I agreed to find a drug rehab to go into and happily surrendered my life to God. He allowed me to see all the times He was present in the midst of all our destruction over the past eight years.”

During her time in rehab, she was introduced to the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center.

At a Christian festival in Jasper, Heather introduced Ryan to Pat and Ralph from the Center. Pat set them up with pre-marital counseling and helped them set up and plan a wedding!

The couple remained sexually abstinent from that point forward. They began couple’s addiction counseling with Tim and Kit Brown – who run His Steps, a substance abuse ministry. And Ryan was given an amazing job opportunity. He now works with other men of God who understand his past and who all do a weekly Bible study at work together. He is able to make money to support the family while Heather stays home with the kids.

Heather describes all that the Center did for them: “God has worked through Pat Page by using her to make it possible for us to have a beautiful, REAL wedding ceremony. NGPC paid for our marriage certificate. A wonderful, Godly woman Pat Page knew, Karen Duncan, offered her church for us to have our ceremony for FREE. Tim Brown, who had been seeing us every Saturday morning for addiction counseling performed our ceremony. God even touched people Ryan and I barely knew, such as Madison, an employee at NGPC who made my wedding bouquet, one of the most beautiful bouquets I’ve ever seen ... and it was MINE! Madison’s sister, Miranda, who we had NEVER met, offered her services and time as a professional photographer to photograph the wedding. The entire day was far more perfect that I could have ever imagined. But what is more beautiful than anything is to be able to reflect on a time in our lives, for the first time, and see God’s mighty hand.

To see His Grace and His perfect will. To look out into a room and see our family, new and old friends, people like

Pat Page organizing an entire day for two people she saw God moving in, and to know that finally, we were living a life for Christ.”

Heather and Ryan see very clearly that they should both be in prison for many years and not have custody of their children. God has protected their family and used the NGPC to help bring their family together. This is the type of impact we see because of the amazing generosity of people in our community.

Heather Sums It Up Beautifully “It was clear from the drastic changes He was making in us, God was abundantly blessing us. And the sweet feeling of victory ... it’s unexplainable. He’s not done yet, and that’s the best part! Our story is not our story, you see. It is His story! It’s a story of hope and love that never gave up. A story that shows His grace is greater than all of our sins and that He is always victorious over the enemy.”

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The Power of Fathers in the Life of the Unborn 8

When most people think of abortion and the life of the unborn, the focus is on the mother and the unborn child. But an overlooked cause of abortion is not centered on a woman and her baby. It is on the decision-making ability of the men in their lives.

More and more studies are showing that the decisions men make have a bigger impact on women and their view of sexuality and children than any other environmental factor.

For instance, a recent study published in the journal Developmental Psychology shows the important role good dads play in preventing their daughters from engaging in risky sexual behavior.

The study revealed that daughters who spent more time in quality relationships with their fathers were less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. They also were less likely to hang out with peers who engaged in such behavior. The simple decision by a father to spend meaningful time with his daughters helps to insulate their daughters from the kinds of behaviors that lead to unplanned pregnancies.

Melvin Konner, of The Wall Street Journal, covered the study from an scientific perspective. He wrote, “Biologists find that organisms in unstable environments grow up faster and start reproducing earlier than those in stable ones.” In other words, the more stability a father provides for his wife and children, the less likely they are to engage in risky “unstable” behavior. Stability breeds stability. But how do men create a stable environment for their children?

How Men Build Stable Lives The answer lies in how the man builds his own life. Men who build their lives on an unstable foundation will find their lives – and the lives of those around them – crashing down in difficult times. But men who build their lives on a stable foundation will be able to provide the stability their family needs.

Jesus said there’s only one stable foundation men can build on that will weather the storms of life. He said in Matthew 7:24-27, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall,

because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

So the solid foundation men have to build their lives on is the teachings of Jesus.

While many Christians believe salvation is all that men need to build a house on a solid foundation, Jesus said it’s not just hearing His words that’s important, but he who “does them” is a vital part of it. The writer of Hebrews agrees. Hebrews 6:1 says, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity....” In other words, salvation is just the start. Men have to move on to maturity. And maturity is growing in God’s word and using it to make life’s decisions on a daily basis.

Men have to be stable in their relationship with God in order to provide a stable demonstration to their children of how stable relationships work. When men don’t have that stable relationship with God, they make decisions that appeal to their sinful desires – and relationships suffer.

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Daily Decisions Impact Abortion Rates The decisions men make show what their foundation is. And until we can teach men to effectively make biblical decisions, abortion will continue.

Take Tim (not his real name), for example.

Twenty years ago, he made the decision to sleep with his then-girlfriend. Unbeknownst to Tim, his girlfriend of two years became pregnant with his child. She decided to abort the child – also without Tim’s knowledge.

“I called her to check in with her and she told me that she had gotten pregnant by me and that she had had an abortion without telling me. That was very hard for me to hear and to take because I didn’t get a chance to discuss it with her before she made that decision,” he says.

Tim says he would have asked his girlfriend to reconsider if he had been given the chance.

He would have asked her to continue with the pregnancy. In fact, he would have gladly raised the child by himself if she didn’t want any involvement.

“She didn’t allow that to happen, which I think is very unfair,” he says. And now, almost two decades later, Tim is “still sad about it.”

Many would say the decision to have an abortion was his girlfriend’s decision. But as bad as that decision is, she never would have been in a position to make it had Tim made the biblical decision to not sleep with her until they were married. Tim loved his girlfriend.

But these events ruined their relationship.

Men Who Support Abortion Suffer Spiritually, Emotionally, Psychologically, and Practically The impact of poor decision making by men that leads to abortion is a growing area of study and concern. There are more than 28 informative studies on how abortion affects men and how they react to abortion.

One study showed that most men feel

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overwhelmed. The study also showed that men experience disturbing thoughts of the abortion (Shostak & McLouth, 1984). Other studies suggest that men are less comfortable expressing their feelings of grief and loss.

They’re less vulnerable. As a result, they will become passive, saying nothing, or they will become hostile, letting bitterness and anger lead to violence. It also affects how men will handle relationships in the future.

One study looked at how abortion impacts relationships (Coleman, Rue & Spence, 2007a).

This study said that there were four ways it can affect men and their relationships. (1) Abortion causes men to exert greater control over the expression of painful emotions, intellectualize grief, and cope alone. (2) The abortion caused men to identify their primary role as a supporter for their partners, even after an abortion. This was true even if they opposed the decision. (3) The men were more likely to experience feelings of despair long after the abortion than women. And (4) men are more at risk for experiencing chronic grief.

Since men are less likely to talk about their emotions, this chronic grief turns them inward and prevents them from developing deep meaningful relationships.

MAKING AN IMPACT

For the men who pressure or encourage the women they care about to have an abortion, the emotional issues can be even bigger.

They often have troublesome feelings that can emerge later on. These men can pay a great emotional price once they recognize the reality of what an abortion is and how it has affected their partners. Their decisions haunt them.

Interestingly, one study (Linacre Q. August, 2015; 82(3): 273–282) found that when married people use abortion as a form of birth control it doubles their risk of having a divorce. The researchers concluded: “Abortion seems to have a destructive effect on the marital bond.” And the only thing the study found to counteract this increased risk was church attendance and building the relationship on the biblical model of “communication, self-control, and mutual motivation.” In other words, it’s never too late for men and women to turn to God and begin to build their foundation on Him. While overturning Roe v. Wade is important, we will never win the battle over abortion until men turn their hearts toward God and do His will. When men build stable lives on the Rock, they can stop abortion from happening. Most pregnancy centers like the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center have male counselors available to help men find the stability God offers.

Contact the North Georgia Pregnancy & Family Resource Center Phone: 706-253-6303 Confidential Email: info@babyontheway.org

Being a Father to the Fatherless Jason and Ashley (not their real names for privacy purposes) have been together for several years. They have one child together and one on the way. Ashley had been married before and was actually still married, but unable to get a divorce because of finances and complications with child support. She and her husband have a child together, but the husband/father is not in the picture.

Since Ashley's son didn’t have a father in his life, Jason decided to be his dad. He took Ashley’s son in to be his own even though he didn’t have to. But Jason wanted to be a father to him “since this little guy doesn't really know his biological dad.” What a loving, selfless act. Jason is a hard worker, is drug free and wants to support his “family.”

He actually lost a child to a drunk driver years ago, and has gone through many struggles. But he’s not using any of that as an excuse. He is stepping up to be a father to these little ones. And the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center has been there to help him do it.

Website: www.babyontheway.org

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Laying a Path for Redemption How Churches Can Partner With Pregnancy Centers to Reach People Devastated by Abortion ~ by Jacob Nels The day was September 25, 2013. It was a Wednesday when Heather and her husband decided to end her pregnancy. Heather’s life was in danger. But it didn’t make the decision any easier. And it didn’t help her cope with it afterward. What may surprise most people, though, is that Heather was in church that next Sunday, September 29, 2013.

Heather and her husband were regular church goers. No one in her church had any idea what they were going through. Their pastor regularly reached out to them,

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greeted them, and cared for them. But Heather didn’t let on that she was suffering in silence.

Every Sunday, there are people who have been affected by abortion sitting in the chairs and pews of churches everywhere. They often sit there in silence acting like nothing has happened – or is going to happen.

They sit there in pain, feeling empty. Though they are surrounded by people who would love to help, they feel like they have no one to talk to about their situation.

Heather didn’t feel like she could open up. "These

people don’t understand," she thought. She figured they either react by condemning her, asking her if she’s repented, or they would condone what’s she’s done and try to justify it. But that wasn’t what Heather needed at that moment.

She was already feeling plenty of condemnation. Women who go through an abortion often feel like what they have done is so bad, no one can help. There is no hope.

Satan never lets them forget what they did. And to have others pile on is so painful, they can’t handle more of it.

She also didn’t want anyone to help her justify what she had done. She knew how horrible it was. There was no justification for it.

So What Did Heather Need?

How can churches reach out to women (and men) who have gone through an abortion? What does a helpful conversation with people in this situation look like?

It is very easy for self-righteousness to present itself when someone finds out about an out-of-wedlock pregnancy or an abortion. But if we can turn our attention toward love, the conversation can look quite different.

Jesus gives us a great example in John 4, where he meets the Samarian woman at the well. Jews were not supposed to mingle with Samaritans, so the very fact that he converses with her is remarkable – and instructive.

Simply by being there, Jesus shows that he values the woman. Jesus also offers her something more valuable than the water she was drinking – again showing He considered her to be important.

This is where it begins – giving value. One of the best things we can say to someone who has gone through an abortion is quite simply: “I’m so sorry you went through this and I’m so sorry you’ve lost your baby.” One sentence shows the person that you care for them and that you care for the baby. Your concern is for them. And it shows you value them.

People who have gone through an abortion (whether it’s the mother, the father, or the grandparents), have had condemnation from Satan thrown on them in heavy doses. They feel low. They think they have no value. By showing them love, it gives them a glimmer of hope that maybe there is some redemption for this horrible thing they’ve done.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Partnering With the Local Church to Meet the Needs of Surprise Parents In the middle of the night, a phone rings, your grandchildren are no longer able to stay in their home with their parents. What you planned to be your Golden years have changed. Your days are now filled with school meetings, court hearings, and the sound of children in your hallways. The road ahead is not easy, but the road is paved with love.

This very scene is playing out in communities all across America. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, and foster parents are caring for children who can no longer be in the care of their parents. In the United States over 2,000,000 children are currently living with relatives or close family friends.

In the last five years, the Grafted Ministry at Pleasant Hill Christian Church has had the privilege of working with these special families. Through support groups, foster parents night out, and special events we have seen firsthand the joys, struggles, and needs kinship and foster families face. The good news is they do not have to face them alone.

Numerous times in the past, the North Georgia Pregnancy Center has partnered with Pleasant Hill to provide valuable resources for the Grafted Ministry families. It has been a blessing to arrive at a new foster or kinship family’s house with bags of clothes, diapers, and wipes all provided by the NGPC. More than anything else, it reminds the family that they are not alone, the community supports them.

Through the partnership with the North Georgia Pregnancy Center, families are introduced to a community partner that will come alongside and support them in the journey ahead. This is a growing area of demand here in North Georgia, with more and more families needing help with their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

– Kasey Kuyper, director of Grafted Ministry and senior minister of Pleasant Hill Christian Church

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Giving More Than Hope Many people don’t even start this conversation because they don’t feel equipped to handle where that discussion may go. This is understandable. In fact, it’s important to know what you’re able to handle.

Individuals need to know their limitations and not try to exceed them without being equipped first. In the same way, church leadership also needs to know its limitations. Abortion is a life and death situation.

It’s not something to be taken lightly. And the conversations can be very difficult.

However, that doesn’t mean individuals and church leadership should shy away from people who have an abortion experience. Quite the contrary. God has given all of His children the capacity to love and value others. He equips all of us to do this. He has also equipped all of us with two ears. And many people who have gone through an abortion simply need someone to listen to them and still feel loved and valued. Telling others about their experience is the pinnacle of vulnerability. If they walk away from the conversation with nothing more than love and value, you have ministered to them.

Of course, we always want to offer more. But what happens if we’re not equipped to offer more? This is where your local pregnancy center can come alongside your church and provide a very valuable ministry. Some churches will simply tell people who

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have gone through an abortion to call the center. This makes the person feel like you really don’t want to mess with her – her problem is too big for you to love them through.

Instead, explain to the person that you really don’t have the ability to help them as much as you know they need. Then offer to set up an appointment with a counselor from the pregnancy center and the three of you meet together. This way, you’re not asking someone to walk into an extremely vulnerable situation all by themselves. You’re there to walk with them through it.

They’ve already been vulnerable with you. Now you can help them be vulnerable with someone who can really help them. And together with the counselor, you can walk hand-in-hand with this person down a path to redemption.

Counselors in pregnancy centers know how to handle these difficult conversations. They will come alongside you to provide love, value, and a path to redemption for those in a dark, lonely place. They can help you give more than hope. Like Jesus did for the woman at the well, He didn’t just tell her to repent. He gave her something to do to move out of her darkness and into His light. Your partnership with your local pregnancy center can offer the very same Light.

Heather experienced the power of this partnership between the church and the local pregnancy center. The local pregnancy center ministered to her in a big way,

helping her walk out of the darkness she was in. They also conducted a memorial service for her baby, which helped with the grieving process. And the pastor who conducted the service was the same pastor who greeted her every Sunday morning. It was a beautiful picture of love, grace, and value. Today, several years later, Heather is helping others walk away from abortion and into the light of Jesus.

Stuck in Darkness?

If you’re stuck in a dark, lonely place because of an abortion experience – or a difficult family situation – you don’t have to remain stuck. The counselors at the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center can help you move through your difficult situation, lay down a path to a better life, and walk with you to that better way of living. Simply call (706-253-6303), email (info@babyontheway.org) or visit our website (www.babyontheway.org) to get the help you need. ... continued page 16

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Don’t Forget the Grandparents It happens more often than you’d think. The parents of a teen caught in an unwanted pregnancy drive her to the abortion clinic. Then, on Sunday, they’re sitting in your church hurting, feeling guilty, and unable to talk about it to anyone.

The fear of rejection by those around them will often keep the grandparents of the aborted baby silent for years. Grandparents often go unministered to because no one ever knows the secret they hold. The shame, guilt, and pain eats at them and tears them away from close relationships in the church.

Much like churches can offer love and value to the mother and father of aborted babies, they can offer the same to the grandparents. And, in the same way, crisis pregnancy centers can come alongside you to offer the grandparents a path to redemption.

It’s easy to overlook the family members on the periphery of an abortion experience. But they all need the love of Christ expressed to them regularly.

Teen Residential Program and Community Counseling Center with locations in Jasper, Ellijay and Woodstock

thejoyhouse.org 706.253.7569 follow us on

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Jacob Nels is the operations coordinator at the Equal Rights Institute (www.equalrightsinstitute.com). Jacob left a 16-year career as a carpenter to follow his passion for investing in the lives of people by taking a job with Justice For All. Since 2008, Jacob has been working to make abortion unthinkable, to make Jesus thinkable, and teaching others to do the same. Jacob works to show pro-life and pro-choice

people that humans matter more than divisive arguments.

Through respectful dialogue, sound reasoning and compassion, Jacob hopes to teach pro-life advocates to love their neighbors and go teach others to do the same. During his time as a pro-life ambassador, God has used Jacob to help save dozens of lives from abortion and teach hundreds of pro-life people grow in compassion and understanding for the pro-choice people they disagree with. Jacob has witnessed thousands of people on both sides of the issue cease fighting toe-to-toe and move to a place of respectful understanding for their fellow human.

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BUHL ORTHODONTICS Richard F. Buhl, D.D.S. Specialist in Orthodontics

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Changing the world One SMILE at a time!

706-253-7989 • 706-692-7989 • 706-692-0228 Fax 9 South Main Street, Jasper, GA www.orthodonticsbybuhl.com

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706-698-7972 Mobile: 404-723-4814 Direct: 800-454-1052

Ralph & Susan Barker Owners/Agents

MAKING AN IMPACT

Touching Lives Cross-Culturally We got a call early Monday morning from the Women's Center at the local hospital in Jasper that a young 14-year-old girl from Mexico had just given birth to a baby girl and has NOTHING for her baby. She lives here with her mother and brother. The baby’s daddy is still in Mexico.

We told the attending nurse that if she would encourage “Josie” to come by the center on her ride back to her house, we would have some things to give her. We quickly gathered a “pink” port-a-crib, sheets, blankets, newborn clothes, diapers, and wipes. Her friend was able to bring her and interpret for her about who we are and what we were doing for her.

Josie does not know a word of English.

When Josie first came into the baby store, she looked so sad. We asked to see the baby and then smiled and hugged her and we begin to see a small smile on her face. She is so scared and so young herself to be having a little one, in a country where she cannot even communicate.

Thankfully, we have a wonderful relationship with the local hospital and we are able to serve her and her new baby in their time of need. God allowed us to be open just on the right day and at the right time as the mom and baby were heading home, so that we could hug her, smile at her new baby, and show her friends how much we care.

Serving our customers for over 24 years!

530 Wingate Road Ellijay, Ga 30540

rbarker@cruiseone.com www.cruiseone.com/rbarker

FB.com/CruiseOne-124062502219 17

Ralph Barker Celebrates 10 Years of Service

“My duties include raising funds from nongovernment foundations, businesses, churches, and individuals. I’m a people person, so I love meeting people and fellowshipping with the great people of our community. And, this is a very unique and wonderful community.

No pregnancy center can survive without a deep connection to the community. The more we connect, the more we’re able to serve. One of the big reasons the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center has the community involvement we do is because of our Development Director Ralph Barker.

August 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of Ralph coming on board at the North Georgia Pregnancy Center. To celebrate Ralph’s 10th Anniversary with the Center, we asked him to say a few words about his time here.

“It has been an amazingly quick 10 years it seems, 10 years peppered with many changes and challenges, not just for me, but for the whole team. But, it's all good.

“I was the first development director to be hired at the center and my job description has changed a lot over the years. I am very appreciative to our current Executive Director Pat Page, who has streamlined the Center and made all of us more efficient.

“After a time of working with me, Pat was able to clearly see what my strengths and weaknesses are.

She then crafted my duties to coincide with my strengths. This, of course, made me much more efficient and much happier in my career. Who doesn't love doing what they are good at?

“It was somewhat of a culture shock coming to work with a group comprised of only women. I am the only male staff member in the Center. In one way, it’s like having the sisters I never had. I have survived all these years and they still love me.

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“There is no better feeling than knowing you are helping someone who is in need. This is what keeps me going and makes me happy. All of us need help at times, but the pregnancy center is unique. It reaches out to anyone who needs help, people from anywhere, without any requirements. They can use and enjoy all our free services. We are the only faith-based pregnancy center within 20 miles in any direction.

We always try to share the Gospel with all who come through our doors, however, there are no religious tests.

“Our moms and dads are not just clients, they are friends, people we care about. One wonderful thing about the staff and volunteers is that most of them go the second and third mile to help our moms and dads.

“For example, Pat and I performed two weddings one year to help some clients who couldn't really afford a wedding. We put together a church, food, and music.

For one groom, we even supplied a nice shirt. Other volunteers and staff members have bought gas for clients so they can get home from the Center or helped them on their own time outside the Center.

“I want to thank everyone for their love and support of me as part of this ministry. I have been blessed that God led me to the North Georgia Pregnancy Center. I

MAKING AN IMPACT

3 Kids and One on the Way Pushes Couple to the Edge

A local pastor recently referred a very young married couple to the Center. The couple was struggling with three children that are age four and under. Plus, they had one on the way. The young man had been coming to the pastor’s church for several weeks.

The wife was struggling with some physical/mental issues and one day something terrible happened in the home.

so appreciate being honored for my 10 years of service. I hope I can make another 10.

“We still have so much to do. We want to do even more in the next years and we can with your help. I assure you that every penny you donate is not wasted. Thanks to our board and leadership, we are parsimoniously efficient. In other words, we are extremely thrifty and conscious of our responsibility over God's provisions. All of our finances are overseen by our board and our CPA Sheryl Messner.

“We pray you will be generous in your support. I will leave you with the words of John Bunyan: “’You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.’”

The details are private, but she ended up living with her grandmother, temporarily unable to have contact with the children.

This is where we got involved. She was eventually able to see the children with supervised visits. Being newly pregnant, she needed our classes and wanted to enter into the Earn While You Learn Program.

They are both coming to us for counseling and help.

Together, some local ministries were able to pay for child care while the dad worked. They have a court date coming up soon to determine the care plan and requirements for restoration of the family.

Thankfully, the NGPC offers parenting classes that are approved by the local courts. So we are able to help them fulfill these requirements as well as minister and pray with this dear couple.

Ruth House.qxp_Layout 1 7/24/18 11:07 AM Page 1

Ruth House Ministries is a Christ centered, long term, residential recovery program for women addicted to or abusing drugs or alcohol.

The program provides a platform for the regeneration of substance abusers and their family who meet the entrance criteria.

Ruth House Ministries is a non-profit, Tax exempt, 501 (c) (3) corporation and is non-denominational.

The program is voluntary and THOR approved and will accept mandated candidates.

How do I get more information?

Contact: Office: 706-334-8888 Jessica Chastain- Program Director 770-894-3342 Jamie Pilgrim- RPA- 770-893-8991

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MAKING AN IMPACT

Partnering With the Local Hospital to Meet Needs A little over one year ago, my boss and I visited the North Georgia Pregnancy Center to find out what type of services they offered to the community. We had no idea how they would help one of the patients in the near future.

After several meetings, Pat, Robie, and I developed a plan that would help those who came to the center for education through their “Earn While You Learn” video program. It would also refer them to our Early Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Lactation classes. These classes are offered free of charge each month here at the Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Women’s Center.

The classes also provide a nurturing atmosphere where the participants could ask questions freely among other pregnant women or one-on-one with me. The Pregnancy Center then provided class participants with a certificate that allowed them to get items they need from the Angel Baby Boutique.

They have also provided diaper bags full of baby items to give out as a drawing prize for all my classes.

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The ultimate gift of love came from the North Georgia Pregnancy Center when we had a teenager deliver with us who had only been in the country for a few weeks. Her mother did not speak any English, but we were able to communicate with her through her 10-year-old brother.

After a brief conversation, we determined this family had nothing for this baby and had no money to purchase anything. One phone call to Pat and this family had everything it could possibly need for this baby. She went in and opened the baby store so this family could gather items for the baby at no cost.

And I don’t mean just small things. Bigger things like a crib, stroller, walker – anything that a baby could possibly need – was given to her. The center even put her in touch with another pregnancy center in Ellijay that had someone who spoke her language.

Working together, we all provided this young mother with the tools, supplies, and encouragement she needed to be a good mom. And will do the same for many more in the future.

– By Pamela Hayes, BSN, CCE, Women's Center Educator, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital

Marilyn Drake.qxp_Layout 1 7/13/18 11:13 AM Page 1

Sharing God’s Message and Love in the North Georgia Mountains

HIGH COUNTRY REALTY

We’d We’d love love to to have have you you come come worship worship with with us! us!

Marilyn Drake

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” – Psalms 127:3

GRI, ABR®

Thank You North Georgia Pregancy Center for all you do!

Realtor®

706-669-5539 CELLULAR 706-276-1254 BUSINESS mdrake@etcmail.com 329 River Street • Ellijay, GA 30540 www.cbHighCountry.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

We believe we are saved by the Grace of God through Faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our church welcomes all who seek the peace of our Lord.

• Sunday Bible Study / Sunday School – 9:00 a.m.

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Family.

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State Farm has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support N GA Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.

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THE ROTARY CLUB OF JASPER The Rotary Club of Jasper meets each Wednesday at 12:00 at Chattahoochee Tech.

Our program includes speakers on a variety of topics.

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MAKING AN IMPACT

The Ministry of Being Present and Praying A mother of one of our new clients called and told me her 17-year-old unmarried teenager was in the hospital. She was in pre-mature labor. She was only 23 weeks along and they immediately did an ultrasound to find out if the baby was okay. The pregnancy was in trouble. So the hospital kept the teenager for 10 weeks in order to monitor her.

This teenage daughter has been somewhat rebellious and moved out of her parents’ home. But now she needs them. The parents are believers, but not sure where the daughter's heart is.

I called their pastor and we prayed about how we could encourage them. I messaged some of my church friends to go by and see her and send cards. I also called “Angie” in the hospital to see how she was doing. She is bored. She doesn't like the food. She’s upset that the baby’s daddy has moved on. He shows no interest in her or the baby anymore. She is lonely.

She is confused. She is hurting.

But, she is right where God wants her ... for a reason.

We visited her in the hospital and brought her some food. We also prayed with her. Then we sent her cards and did all we could to encourage her and her parents. Just staying in contact with her is the key to building a relationship. It gives opportunity to share the Good News of the Gospel and show the love of Jesus in tangible ways.

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Volunteers for NGPC Volunteers are the life-blood of the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center. Without them, we couldn’t meet all the

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needs we see every day. They keep us moving. They encourage us.

And they have hearts that want to serve. We praise God for them!

Client Advocate Volunteers: • • • • • • • • •

Robie Rens – 11 years Judy Dean, Prayer advocate – 9 years Vickie Rees – 6 years Nancy Collier – 5 years Diane Smith – 5 years Kristin Travers – 2 years Jennifer Harbrough – 2 years Kim Dodd – 1 year Leah Tritt – 1 year

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Angel Babies Boutique Staff/Volunteers • • • • •

Madison Davis – Store Manager – 1 year Ellen Trainer – Assistant Store Manager – 5 years Blake Gee – Sales Associate – 3 years Judy Dougherty – Mommy Store Manager – 4 years Carol Ellison – Angel Babies Volunteer – 1 year

We are always looking for volunteers to work in the store and to help out as counselors. The only requirement is that you be willing to donate a few hours each month. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact the Center at 706-253-6303 or email us at info@babyontheway.org.

His Steps Ministries is a Christian training and counseling program that reaches out to those who are trapped in the sin of “idolatry” (addiction).

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25 Years!

This year commemorates the 25th anniversary since the North Georgia Pregnancy Center was incorporated in 1993.

Pickens Pregnancy Center was the first name of the center, but was changed to North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource to encompass a large geographic area and further outreach to families.

Dex Phillips, a midwife in Jasper, began offering free pregnancy testing in the basement of her church in Jasper, and Phyllis Smith became the first executive director. Mary Ellen Childers was also very instrumental in serving alongside Phyllis and others at the center.

Phyllis continued as the executive director until Carol Hutchinson took over in 2002, and Phyllis continued to volunteer as a counselor. Pat Page came in 2009 working alongside Carol, and then became the Executive Director in 2013.

The Lord continues to bless the center in so many ways and we are still serving as our mission statement indicates:

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•

Bring compassionate help and hope to women and families who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

•

Present sexual abstinence as the only option for teens and singles.

•

Influence community-wide educational programs and events in an effort to prevent pregnancy outside of marriage.

•

Provide counseling for healing and restoration for those who have had abortions.

•

Share the Good News of the Gospel.

Council 14348 Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church Jasper, Georgia Words from Pope John Paul II “Human life is sacred and inviolable at every moment of existence, including the initial phase which precedes birth.

All human beings, from their mother’s womb, belong to God who searches them and knows them, who forms them and knits them together with his own hands, who gazes on them when they are tiny shapeless embryos and already sees in them the adults of tomorrow whose days are numbered and whose vocation is even now written in the ‘book of life.’ There too, when they are still in their mothers’ womb—as many passages of the Bible bear witness—they are the personal objects of God’s loving and fatherly providence.”

(Papal Encyclical :Evangelium Vitae, 61).

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Angel Babies Boutique’s Grand Re-Opening a Huge Success

By Madison Davis, Store Manager of the Angel Babies Boutique

women seeking education and restoration. Every purchase benefits the North Georgia Pregnancy Center, which supports, equips, strengthens, and encourages women and families in the North Georgia community. Every purchase and donation makes a tangible difference in the lives of women, children, and families.

Before the renovation of the Angel Babies Boutique and during the renovation process, we prayed that the Boutique would be a beacon in the community for Jesus Christ. By creating a welcoming and warm atmosphere, offering children’s clothing, nursery items, women’s and maternity clothing, and more at affordable prices, the women and families who shop there would feel loved, seen, and cared for.

The Lord has provided in an abundant way!

The Lord has done immeasurably more this year in the Angel Babies Boutique than we could have ever imagined. We are excited and expectant to see how He will use and grow the Boutique in the days ahead!

What Customers Are Saying “This store is so great. When I was having my kids we did not have something like this. I love this store.” – Mary, a regular customer of the Angel Babies Boutique.

“Very upscale and inviting.” – Haley, a regular Since the Grand Re-opening of the Angel Babies customer of the Angel Babies Boutique.

Boutique, the Boutique has been able to participate and serve in community events such as the Cross Festival, the Georgia Marble Festival, and the Marble Festival parade. The Boutique has added maternity clothing to its merchandise, see the customer base increase exponentially, and meet our projected yearly income within the At United Community Bank, our mission is first six months. But more importantly, to provide exceptional banking services while caring deeply for the communities we serve. the Lord answered our prayers that we would be able to build more Speak with us today or visit ucbi.com. relationships with regular customers, know their stories, and pray for one JASPER another.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

118 Whitfield Drive | 706-253-9393

Shopping at the Angel Babies Boutique is not just a regular shopping experience. When you make a purchase at the Boutique, you are investing in something larger than yourself. When you donate to the Boutique, you are partnering with a Boutique that benefits 30

Member FDIC. © 2018 United Community Bank | ucbi.com

Making a Bigger Impact – With Your Help Right now, the North Georgia Pregnancy and Family Resource Center is open only two days a week – on Monday and Wednesday. The Angel Baby Boutique is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

As you can see in the chart below, on those two days a week – only 8-10 days per month – we have seen an amazing impact.

The impact the Lord is having on Pickens County through the NGPC is exciting to see.

But imagine what we could do if our doors were open five days a week.

We could serve nearly 200 clients (families, couples, and individuals) each month if we had the funds to pay at least two people to be in the Center those extra three days.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help us reach our goal of $120,000 – the amount needed to continue our current operations and hire two part-time staff members to open the Center an additional three days. Please use the envelope included in this magazine to let us know how you might help.

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The Boutique carries a wide variety of children clothing sizes preemie-3T, women and maternity clothing, nursery items and decor, diapers and wipes, car seats, strollers, high chairs, toys, and more! All merchandise is 50-70% off retail price.

All of our merchandise is new and gently used. We are NOT a consignment store.

We accept donations (no used cribs, used stuffed animals, or household goods)!

All donations are tax-deductible. We look forward to serving you!

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Bring in this magazine for $5.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more!

The Angel Babies Boutique open: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-5:00 Saturdays 10:00-4:00 1549 E Church Street, Jasper, GA 30143 706-253-0011

Check out our Facebook page to see our latest deals!

Find us on Facebook and Instagram! @angelbabiesstore