An unwanted or unplanned pregnancy is never a standalone event in a woman’s life. Whatever the outcome of the pregnancy, the story never ends there.
Experiencing pregnancy and childbirth is a wonderful gift from God, but it can also be a source of trauma and intense personal sacrifice. Pregnancy is always a disruption, impacting women physically, emotionally, and spiritually in ways that will likely remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Those women who choose to terminate their pregnancy may face unexpected levels of guilt, shame, and remorse. They may need help processing this and finding hope again. Even for those who choose the gift of life, the event of giving birth to a child can intensify an already difficult situation—especially if the mother is facing it alone.
Whatever the outcome of the pregnancy, our ministry is not done when the pregnancy ends. In some cases, it is only the beginning. The last thing we want to do is leave women to fend for themselves after supporting them through their pregnancies. There is often a further need to walk beside women and help them make healthy and caring connections.
At Choices, we see this as a great opportunity. C. S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” Times of hardship and difficulty often soften our hearts, opening us to God’s help, and creating a willingness to receive His grace. Women who may have never heard the good news of Jesus might now welcome those who can walk beside them as they seek help.
That is why Choices is creating a program to help “bridge” the gap between the trauma of unwanted pregnancy and the chance for a new life in Christ.
What is the Bridges Program?
Bridges is a program designed to take clients who desire to explore Christianity, ask questions, or begin a new life in Christ, and integrate them as quickly as possible into what we call shared DNA Churches via their small group programs.
What is Shared DNA Churches?
Shared DNA Churches share the same heart for ministry as we do at Choices. They’re available and open to ministering to clients during often painful and difficult times in their lives.
Shard DNA Churches must meet the following criteria:
- Have a physical location within 10 miles of PRC
- Vetted, biblically sound doctrine
- Vetted, and approved statement of faith
- Active open enrollment
- Small group program
- Small group members willing to engage in the broken community (i.e. the lives of our clients)
- Small group members available and willing to volunteer through advocacy lifepath or men’s discipleship groups
Bridging the Gap from Fear to Hope
Many of the clients that visit our centers find themselves facing the most difficult period of their lives. Many have never known Jesus or been part of a faith community that supported and nurtured them.
By partnering with communities like Dream City Church, we now have a place to send clients who are seeking that healing that only Christ can offer.
We would love to invite other churches to join us in this important ministry as well! We’ll help facilitate connections between clients and various church groups and communities. Together, Choices and the church can do God’s work, bridging the gap, and sharing opportunities for support that are open to all.
If you are a church interested in participating in the Choices Bridges Program, sign up here!
