It’s been nearly a year since Heartbeat International began a church engagement partnership with Embrace Grace.
Heartbeat International is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. and globally. The partnership was announced at the 2024 Annual Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Conference.
Embrace Grace is a 12-week program that allows single and pregnant women to experience the love of God through a study on such topics as forgiveness and breaking negative chains in their lives and is led by churches within a 30-mile radius of a referring pregnancy center. The program was started by Amy Ford in 2008 in Livingston, Texas.
Erika Porter is Outreach Manager for Embrace Grace which is located in Hurst, Texas. Embrace Grace has participating churches all over the United States.
Getting Heartbeat affiliates involved was “super beneficial,” Porter said in a phone interview with Pregnancy Help News.
Sometimes, Porter said, a center is not sure they want to get involved with a program outside of their office.
“Sometimes centers are skeptical, or the timing isn’t good,” she said. “Heartbeat has added validity to partnering with Embrace Grace. Centers may need to hear from someone else that our program is good.”
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Porter said it’s helpful for centers to understand that “we all have a role to play in all of this.” She went on to say pregnancy centers deal with the “now” aspect as they help women as they deal with an immediate need or emergency. Embrace Grace “wants to walk alongside” of these clients and help them long term.
The weekly Biblically based studies are designed to build relationships with the women and help them navigate through their personal situations. At least two women from the participating church lead the program. The invitation to join Embrace Grace comes in a box. “Love Boxes” are an important staple in the Embrace ministry.
To date, Porter said there have been 10,720 boxes shipped to Heartbeat affiliate centers. Those 10,720 Love Boxes sent to Heartbeat affiliates thus far account for roughly a third of the over 30,000 shipped thus far.
“We are hoping to increase this by another 23 percent this year,” she said.
Porter described the Love Box as a “no-strings attached gift to give them encouragement and hope.” The box includes: an official written invitation, two testimonials, one of parenting a child and one choosing adoption. The invitation also includes the church’s offer to provide a baby shower for the client. A necklace that states, “Be Brave,” is another gift inside the box. There is a QR code to scan which allows the mother to connect with Embrace Grace volunteers.
“Even if they are not interested in the group, they can just connect,” Porter said. The box also includes separate hand-written notes from an Embrace Grace volunteer from anywhere in the world encouraging her that “you can do this. You're not alone.”
A pen and journal are nestled inside the box with writing prompts for mom to write down her feelings about her pregnancy journey. There is a specialized onesie with the words “Best Gift Ever” printed on it.
The onesie, Porter said, “is meant to back up what is happening in the pregnancy centers. It’s something tangible. They may feel like the pregnancy is ‘intangible’ in the sonogram. She may not believe it is real yet. But this reminds her that sometimes God gives you a baby to change your life and change your direction.”
The final item in the Love Box is a book written by founder Amy Ford which features stories by 19 other moms with unplanned pregnancies.
Porter said many moms are pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed by the boxes and cannot believe someone is providing them with a gift.
Women who choose to embark on the Embrace Grace journey are required to take part at least nine of the 12 weeks of the study. The final week they are given a baby shower.
“We try to extend as much grace as possible,” Porter said.
Many women choose to stay connected with the church and attend services on Sunday mornings.
Some leaders of the program save seats for visiting women each Sunday morning.
Heartbeat International leadership is thrilled to see the progress. Tracie Shellhouse is Vice-President of Ministry Services for Heartbeat.
"I am deeply grateful for the powerful partnership between Heartbeat International and Embrace Grace,” Shellhouse said. “Through this collaboration, we are empowering pregnancy help organizations and churches to multiply their impact, offering both practical support and spiritual guidance to women and families facing unexpected pregnancies.”
“The ripple effect of our efforts is transforming lives today and shaping the futures of the generations to come,” Shellhouse said. “It’s incredible to see that over 10,000 'Love Boxes' have been sent to Heartbeat affiliates since the announcement of our partnership in April at the 2024 Annual Heartbeat Conference.”
Tweet This: The Heartbeat International-Embrace Grace collaboration is empowering pregnancy help organizations and churches to multiply their impact.
“Together, we are making a lasting difference,” said Shellhouse, “and I am excited to witness all that God has in store as we continue to empower pregnancy help centers and churches to serve with love and compassion."
