This week is Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week, presented by Heartbeat International to honor those who serve in the pregnancy help movement.
Countless women and men worldwide receive compassionate support when facing the life-changing decision surrounding an unexpected pregnancy because of the tireless, kind-hearted commitment of the pregnancy help community. Pregnancy help advocates come alongside families in need throughout the pregnancy and beyond with pregnancy tests, emotional support, ultrasounds, parenting classes, material assistance and much more, at no cost.
This community encompasses volunteers, executive directors, nurses, receptionists and other staff, board members and supporters; each individual working in and through a pregnancy help organization blessed with the passion to further the culture of life.
For this, Heartbeat International says, "Thank you."
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The recent extensive report on 2,700 pregnancy centers nationwide from the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that the U.S. centers provide hundreds of millions of dollars each year in essential medical, education and support services. Of Heartbeat’s more than 2,800 affiliated locations worldwide more than 1,700 are in the U.S. Heartbeat’s many affiliates consist of pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes and non-profit adoption agencies.
This year's Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week runs from November 9-13. The observance drew praise from in and outside of Heartbeat and around the pregnancy help movement.
Heartbeat International Vice President of Ministry Services Betty McDowell said she could not think of a better example of the Gospel than the work of pregnancy help centers.
“We pray for our affiliates every day,” McDowell said, “and we appreciate what they are doing.”
“It’s a chance for us to express how much we appreciate for the work that’s being accomplished,” she said, calling it a “selfish blessing” for Heartbeat to express gratitude to affiliate pregnancy help centers.
“You do get joy in your heart when you express gratitude for others,” said Andrea Trudden, Heartbeat’s Director of Communications and Marketing.
Heartbeat affiliates also enjoy special resource offers during the week.
“This is a really fun week here at Heartbeat International,” Trudden said. “We know that pregnancy centers are essential. So, this is our opportunity to let others know that too.”
Appreciation for those who serve in pregnancy help flowed in from outside of Heartbeat as well.
“Thank you for championing life,” said Pastor, teacher and author Chip Ingram. “Thank you for looking into the eyes of young and not-so-young women who find themselves with a baby, [and] they just don’t know what to do.”
“You step in and you love them,” Ingram said. “Thank you for following God’s command to preserve the most important thing in all the world – it’s life.”
“May God bless you; may He cause His favor to be upon you,’’ said Ingram. “Keep this great work going, keep saving lives each and every day in communities across America and across the world.”
Actor and pro-life advocate Kevin Sorbo offered passionate thanks.
“A big shoutout and a big, huge, Herculean thank-you for all the work that you do,” Sorbo said.
Tweet This: “A big shoutout and a big, huge, Herculean thank-you for all the work that you do” - Kevin Sorbo to the pregnancy help movement
“It’s a battle that’s been going on for decades now and you guys are the front lines,” he said, “and I’m so happy to be part of the movement and part of having a voice to get anything out there to help stop all this incredible slaughter of innocent lives.
“So God bless you,” Sorbo said, “God bless what you do, God continue to bless what you do, and I’m here for a voice for you guys whenever you need me. I promise you that.”
“Continue to do the great work,” he added, “you guys are my heroes.”
Cal Thomas, columnist, author and pro-life speaker, said that the pro-life cause was “his heart.”
“During Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week, I want to encourage you and your work to save the lives of the unborn and to tell women and men the truth,” Thomas said. “Your efforts are having an effect.”
“And during a time of great cultural chaos, each child born as a result of your efforts is one more treasure stored up in heaven which can never be stolen,” he said. “May the Lord continue to bless and prosper you in your work.”
Tweet This: "Each child born as a result of your efforts is one more treasure stored up in heaven which can never be stolen” - Cal Thomas
Ambassador Alan Keyes shared that it was a privilege to contribute to the celebration of the work of pregnancy help centers, “And all of the wonderful spirits of God who participate in the work of the pregnancy help centers, which not only save the lives of innocent children in the womb but also inform the hearts of their mothers in such a way that we begin to restore that healthy respect for God’s will to life that is in fact the basis of our community and of our nation.”
“God bless you for that work,” Keyes said.
Students for Life of American President Kristan Hawkins thanked the pregnancy help community for the lives saved, and the families and mothers spared from the horror of abortion.
“It’s truly an honor for me and our entire team at Students for Life to be able to serve alongside you,” she said. “I’m so honored to be joining you in this fight.”
Al and Lisa Robertson, of Duck Dynasty, offered thanks to the pregnancy help community too.
“Thank you to all of the great pregnancy centers out there that are on the front lines of the pro-life movement,” Al Robertson said.
Tweet This: “Thank you to all of the great pregnancy centers out there that are on the front lines of the pro-life movement” -Al Robertson-Duck Dynasty
“Thank you so much for what you do for all the women, for all the unborn babies, the fathers too,” said Lisa Robertson. “And thank you for being there for them, to give them great counsel for them to choose life.”
“We support our local ministry and we also support all of you,” said Al Robertson.
“Thank you for what you do each day,” said Pastor, speaker and retreat leader Gordon Douglas. “There will be more tomorrow because of what you do today.”
Pro-life advocate Pam Tebow remarked on how she was blessed to share her pro-life story for many pregnancy centers across the country, and in the process meeting the most incredible people, “who serve the least of these with love and support.”
“Jesus himself said that the greatest among us will be a servant,” said Tebow, thanking everyone who works in pregnancy centers.
“You indeed are the greatest among us,” she said.
Abortion Survivors Network founder Melissa Ohden expressed gratitude from a personal perspective.
“Please know that it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Ohden said.
“I am so grateful for how you have continued to serve women just like my biological mother,” said Ohden. “I am so grateful for how you have continued to work to tirelessly save lives just like mine, and future generations to come just like my daughters, by serving the women and the men and loving them when they come through the doors.”
“I am so thankful that you have continued to do what you are called to do,” Ohden added, “and that is to be on the front lines every single day making a difference.”
“You are making a difference,” Heather Lawless of Reliance Ministries said, “every day that you walk into your centers and you serve your clients.”
“You show them the dignity and the care that they deserve,” said Lawless. “And you are making a difference. You are saving lives – two at a time.”
Tweet This: “You show them the dignity and the care that they deserve. And you are making a difference. You are saving lives – two at a time.”
“I don’t where our world would be without pregnancy centers,” she continued. “You are the true warriors and I’m so proud and so thankful to walk alongside you as we serve people, and we offer hope in the darkest places.”
Leading pregnancy center speaker Mike Williams encouraged the pregnancy help community to “stay the course,” and “keep up the good work for life.”
“Heaven will declare your value to the ages,” he said. “Together we stand for life. Many blessings.”
Throughout the week Heartbeat will continue to offer words of encouragement for the 11,000-plus staff and volunteers working within the movement at Heartbeat’s more than 2,800 pregnancy help locations across the world, along with the special deals for centers.
Pregnancy help centers can submit prayer needs and praise reports and they have the ability to tell their pregnancy help organization's story.
There are images available to share on social media to show love for the pregnancy help movement using the hashtag #ThankAPregnancyCenter.
