On Saturday, January 28th, New Life Family Services hosted its First Annual “Me Too” event in collaboration with seven abortion recovery programs based in Minnesota including its own Conquerors program.
Collaborating Minnesota abortion recovery program Directors (from left to right): Nancy Blom (Rachel’s Vineyard), Tracie Rademacher (Silent No More MN & Surrendering The Secret), Pastor Paula Ellefson (Rich in Mercy), Cathy Goggin (Conquerors), Kathy Kawell (Project Healing), Julie Bashore (Healing Hearts), and Julie Weber (Liberate Ministries).
More than 65 women attended Saturday’s luncheon held at University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Kim Ketola, host and executive producer of Cradle My Heart Radio and author of an award winning book with the same title, was the keynote speaker at the event. Kim shared about her own personal abortion story and encouraged women to walk in the victory Christ provided for them at the cross and to be the fragrance of Christ to others who are suffering after abortion.
Along with New Life Family Services’ Conquerors program, local ministries including Liberate Ministries, Project Healing, Rachel’s Vineyard, Rich In Mercy, Silent No More, and Surrendering the Secret worked together to plan and promote this unique event designed to bring women together to celebrate their freedom and forgiveness from past abortions.
The initial vision for “Me Too” was created by Pregnancy Decisions Health Center (PDHC) Director, Tim Welsh. PDHC, based in Ohio, hosted their first “Me Too” event in 2016 and were blown away by the response they received. PDHC invited New Life Family Services to consider hosting a “Me Too” event alongside them.
Executive Director, Tammy Kocher, recalls,
“When I first heard about the Me Too Event, I knew it was a special opportunity to expand on the work that New Life Family Services is already doing in not just offering hope and healing to those who have experienced abortion through our Conquerors program, but watching these healed women become incredible pro-life advocates and partners as they walk in freedom and forgiveness.”
Conquerors Program Manager, Cathy Goggin (at left), pictured with Kim Ketola and Tammy Kocher.
New Life Family Services’ own Conquerors Program Manager, Cathy Goggin, was one of the ministry leaders in attendance on Saturday and had a key role in pulling together the local abortion recovery programs to collaborate on this event. She shared, “The unity, love and support represented by all of the post abortion ministries gathered together, was only made greater through the powerful, heartfelt prayers given by each leader near the end of our event. God has great things in store for the future of all of our healing ministries!”
Women in attendance were challenged throughout the event to continue walking in the freedom and forgiveness they have found and share their story to help others find the same freedom. As Kim shared, “God doesn’t get the glory until I share my story.” One of the women in attendance commented,
“While I have been sharing my abortion story in the past year since receiving healing, I can often feel isolated speaking boldly on a topic that is so taboo. Being with other women who can relate to my experience was so encouraging and will give me increased confidence and boldness in continuing to share my story in the future.”
To learn more about the Me Too Event visit www.metooevent.org.
