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Your Life Center... |
History of Our Ministry
Beginnings
In the year 1995, and for many years prior, the building next door to The Life Center housed an abortion clinic. For years, it was a very difficult and challenging time for many women in the Elgin area who were in a crisis pregnancy.They were many in need of support, encouragement, and a safe environment to continue their pregnancy.
During that time, an active group of concerned Christians (Christians Right to Life of Northern Kane County) committed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to give life affirming support to women in the community who were considering abortion.This group encouraged women to choose life for their unborn babies.
One hot summer afternoon while the group was sidewalk counseling in front of the abortion clinic, they observed a young couple who appeared apprehensive about their plans to abort. Members of the group spoke with the young couple about the option to choose life. At that moment it became evident that women who chose life had no facility nearby that would provide emotional and material support.
A few months later the group of Pro-Life Christians raised a large amount of money for a down payment to purchase the medical building next door to the abortion facility. While the fundraising was progressing, the abortion clinic (due to depleted funds) closed its doors! God is so faithful! This was truly an answer to prayer and a David and Goliath story. The group never dreamed that soon they would be operating a "Life Center" facility and that the abortion facility would close its doors. They also had no idea of the impact that this new "Life Center" would have on the community - the lives saved and the lives changed. The group never dreamed that soon they would be operating a "Life Center" facility.
Much
needed to be done to get the building in shape. After six months of
prayer and preparation, in June, 1996, The Life Center opened its
doors! Since that time through information, encouragement along with
spiritual and material support, women have been empowered to choose
life. Those who come are often desperate and confused. They find a
place of safety and a caring staff.
Presently, The
Life Center offers:
• Hope through sharing the Gospel, providing the forgiveness of God, and a new life through Jesus Christ. Bibles and Christian materials are freely distributed.
• Life Choices Medical Clinic, with a trained and caring medical staff, provides free pregnancy tests and limited obstetrical ultrasounds.
• Practical help with professional referrals, maternity clothes, and baby items.
•
The message of the benefits of living a sexually abstinent lifestyle
for single men and women is shared. Along with providing
information about the risks of casual sex, people are educated about
sexually transmitted infections.
• Words of life are ministered to those who have had abortions, teaching about God's forgiveness and the healing and restoring power of Jesus Christ.
• A library of books and materials related to pro-life issues, the family and Christian living.
• A men's mentoring program is taking shape. Men need to be encouraged to follow the plan God has for them to become responsible and caring fathers. We are putting together a team of godly, mature Christian men who will mentor the young men who visit, and teach them life-changing truths from the Word of God.
• S.T.I. (sexually transmitted infection) testing will soon be available. Besides free testing, information about these infections will be provided, along with the message of sexual integrity both in and outside of marriage. We are praying for open hearts for sharing the Gospel with those who visit.
• Our Abstinence Program involves a team of trained individuals who visit local schools and talk to students about the benefits of "saving sex for marriage" and the dangers of sexual involvement outside of the marriage relationship, including the risks of S.T.I.'s.
• It is our mission to make our ministry at The Life Center and Life Choices even more effective as we expand our outreach - to lead more huring women to the cross of Jesus and to witness even more women in unplanned pregnancy situations choose life.
Like many not-for-profit ministries, we desire to do much more - begin new programs to better serve those who come to us in need. We ask that you pray with us regarding these important issues:
Finances
We
operate by donations and labor against limited funds. The summer months
were, and often are, an especially difficult time of the year.
Our current financial limitation makes it impossible to hire staffing.
A critical need!
Grant Writers
We are looking for grant writer to help
fund needed resources.
Volunteers
We do have a great base of volunteers,however,
there are always gaps that need to be filled with knowledgeable, hard-working
people.
Thank you
Many
of you have already been faithful supporters and volunteers, and for
that we offer a heartfelt thank you! As we have said over and
over, we could not carry out this ministry without your partnership!
We have been faithfully serving hurting women (and men) for over a decade.
Your support has enabled us to keep our doors open to those whom God
sends to us through His grace – to help change hearts and save lives.
Get Involved!
Being involved with an important and noble cause, which is so close to God' s heart, is ENERGIZING! if you have been looking for a way to expand God's kingdom and bring light to the darkness, won't you consider joining us in a fulfilling, life-changing ministry adventure? God is at work here. His name is lifted high. His Gospel is proclaimed. And broken lives are being made whole through th ework of His Spirit. Don't miss the opportunity to be involved in something greater than you that has an eternal impact.