Sanctity of Human Life Month 2021

Churches and communities across the nation set aside time to honor Sanctity of Human Life Month (SOHL), and recognize the value of all human life together. New Life was blessed to be a part of this by participating in 42 different church services this month – through videos, speakers, testimonies, and tables. 

Sophrona, birth mother, shares her adoption journey at a local church with Executive Director, Tammy Kocher.

TWIN CITIES

New Life had the privilege of being present at thirty churches in the Twin Cities this January! Each one was full of meaningful storiesthe truth about the value of life, and great interactions. New Life staff was joined by two birth mothers who shared their beautiful stories of lovingly placing their children for adoption, and two women that shared their story of hope and healing after abortion through the Conquerors program. Each client spoke of the transformation their unique experiences held in their lives and moved congregations across the metro.

One woman approached staff after a church service and shared,

I have never heard abortion talked about in such a gracious and truthful way. It really moved me and changed the way I want to talk about it.

At another church, a woman shared with staff she is a birth mom who placed her child for adoption through New Life Adoptions many years ago and said,

I’m so glad my church supports New Life. I haven’t really told many people my story about being a birth mother, but I was able to share with our pastor today I placed my son for adoption through New Life years ago.

Our Post-Adoption Social Worker pictured with Deb, who shared her Conquerors story at Redeemer Baptist in Oakdale.

After hearing a sermon at their church and picking up a brochure from a New Life information table in the lobby, a woman called to sign up for the Conquerors post-abortion support program, and New Life has received many new volunteer sign ups! New Life staff praise God for these wonderful opportunities to connect with so many new people this month.

A special thanks to the following Twin Cities churches for their SOHL participation:

Bethel Baptist Church, Bethel Christian Fellowship, Bethlehem Baptist Church (Downtown), Bethlehem Baptist Church (North), Calvary Memorial Church, Church of the Cross, Cities Church, Coon Rapids Evangelical Free Church, Five Oaks Church, Grace Church (Eden Prairie), Hillside Church, Hometown Church, Hope Church (Richfield), Hope Community Church, New Hope Church, Prairie Community Church, Prairie Hill Evangelical Free Church, Redeemer Baptist Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Riverlife Church, Riverview Baptist Church, Sojourn Campus Church, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Trinity Church, Vine Evangelical Free Church, Westwood Church (Bloomington), Westwood Church (Excelsior), Woodbury Lutheran (Oak Hill), Woodbury Lutheran (Valley Creek)

New Life information table displayed at Five Oaks church.

ROCHESTER

New Life was excited to see the Rochester community rally around and celebrate SOHL month this January. Twelve Rochester churches participated in various ways including information tables, handing out materials, hosting baby bottle fundraisers, and inviting New Life staff to speak.  The staff love to see how each church wanted to introduce life issues in a unique way.

Meeting many people after church services is a joy, whether it was sharing their “New Life” story or expressing gratitude for what New Life does. A few people even expressed that they wished when they were younger there would have been a “supportive, caring, nonjudgmental place for them like New Life  The Rochester community raised funds, and donated many material items including diapers, wipes, clothes, and infant equipment. New Life’s Rochester pregnancy center has truly felt the community support this January.

Information Table displayed at Berean Community Church in Rochester

 

A special thanks to the following Rochester churches for their SOHL participation:
Berean Community Church, Church of the Resurrection, Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Rochester, First Baptist Church, Good News Evangelical Free Church, LIFT Church, New Life Church, Salem Road Covenant Church, True Life Church, Victory Baptist Church

January 2022

Start thinking about January 2022 in your church and how you can take on the topic of life with your congregation! New Life offers free SOHL resources and to start the conversation about life issues in various capacities.  Contact churches@nlfs.org to get started.