The largest life-affirming pregnancy conference in the world kicks off just days from now in Louisville, Ky.
Heartbeat International’s 52nd Annual Pregnancy Help Conference opens April 26 following a prelude in-depth day of training in multiple areas of pregnancy help.
A premier event for the pregnancy help movement, Heartbeat’s annual conference offers opportunities for pro-life leaders to connect and learn and take the fruits of their experiences there back to their pregnancy help ministries across the world.
The first Conference since Roe v. Wade was overturned is taking on the theme of “Breakthrough.” Heartbeat International is poised to inspire and encourage pregnancy help servants to perform the crucial, life-affirming work that they do.
“Much has happened since last year’s conference,” said Tracie Shellhouse, vice president of Ministry Services for Heartbeat International. “We witnessed a breakthrough last June as the Dobbs decision sent shock waves throughout the U.S. and around the world.”
“The overturning of Roe brought pregnancy help into the spotlight domestically and internationally, making us the targets of misinformation, censorship, threats, and vandalism,” Shellhouse said. “It also gave us a bigger platform to share the truth of our good works!”
[Click here to subscribe to Pregnancy Help News!]
The Conference includes workshops and keynotes from speakers in the pregnancy help movement with unique perspectives, and the immersive, in-depth training day includes continuing education options.
Heartbeat’s Conference also dedicates time to spiritual connection, with worship, personal prayer time, Mass, and Confession available. Attendees have the opportunity for fellowship, community, and forming lasting relationships.
“Heartbeat's annual conference is more than just a source of phenomenal source of information and education for the pregnancy help community,” said Heartbeat International President Jor-El Godsey. “It is always a place of affirmation, inspiration, and even restoration, for those who are laboring in the mission field created by abortion.”
The Heartbeat International Conference is designed for ministry leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations, as well as professionals in medicine, counseling, social work, and education.
Conference presentations are geared for all levels of experience - from basic, to intermediate, to advanced.
This year Heartbeat is hosting both in-person and virtual conferences.
The in-person Conference offers access to 120-plus, seven inspirational keynotes, plus product demonstrations and the pre-Conference in-depth training opportunities. The virtual Conference offers access to 50-plus virtual workshops and social networking with other attendees. Both experiences provide access to the virtual Conference offerings prior to the event. In-person Conference workshops are available for purchase afterward as well.
Conference tracks include client care, client marketing, critical conversations pertaining to key topics in the pregnancy help movement, fundraising, maternity housing, leadership, medical advancement, spiritual care, staff matters, and current trends.
Demand for the registration to the Conference has been significant and Heartbeat is making accommodations for overflow attendance.
“As the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the world, we span the globe, sharing our common mission,” Shellhouse said, “and yet we are individually deep as we serve thousands of communities with different needs through unique services, programs, and methods.”
Shellhouse said the unity of Heartbeat and the pregnancy help community exemplifies 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
“We have different gifts, but the same Spirit is our source,” she said. “We have different methods, but we serve the same Lord. God works differently through each organization and person to fulfill his life-saving work through us all.”
Godsey and Shellhouse said the first Conference since Dobbs and the overturn of Roe is the perfect time to rejuvenate and reload the pregnancy help movement.
“For the first time in 50 years, the Heartbeat conference will be held without the control of Roe v. Wade,” Godsey said. “While still celebrating that victorious moment, the wake of that decision has brought a median client increase of more than 10% seeking pregnancy help.”
“The demise of Roe has only brought more need to those we serve, making it more important than ever to gather together to encouragement and envisioning,” said Godsey.
“Big Abortion is fighting against us, and yet we are growing, and our impact is increasing,” Shellhouse said. “Why? We stand together, and we can do all things through Him who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13)”
“God makes us strong,” she said. “With strength from the Lord, we will continue to experience Breakthrough!”
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
