And so someone who is carrying that yoke of their sin and carrying that yoke of their past,
introduce them to Jesus. Introduce them to his truth and his love and his forgiveness
and watch them just blossom and grow in their relationship with God.
Let me ask you this question. Have you ever been at a loss for words?
Maybe somebody asked you a question, you had no idea on how to answer that question.
Maybe you were unable to articulate clearly what you wanted to say and it just came out all wrong.
And then you leave and you get in the car and you start thinking, oh man, I wish I wouldn't
have said that. I wish I would have said this. Oh, you know, I'm not clear in what I'm saying,
just like I'm not clear in what I'm saying right now. Well, we've all been there. We've all been
at that place of, man, what do I say? Now imagine this story. You're a pastor and maybe some of you
are, maybe some of you aren't. And you invite a group of young adults over to your house for
dinner. And some of them you know, some of them you don't know, and you're excited for them to
come over, have a time of fellowship, meet some new people, get them connected to the church.
And as you're having conversation and dinner, one of the guests pulls you aside, the new guests,
and just strikes up a casual conversation with you and basically says, I'm thinking about getting
an abortion tomorrow. What would you say? Now, maybe you would just throw out some verses,
right? Just love bomb them with scripture and just show them all the scriptures that they need to
hear and hope that that has an impact. Maybe you would, you know, maybe you would just yell, no,
don't, don't do it. Whatever you do, don't do it. Maybe you would just begin to pray right there
over that person. Regardless, it is a tough situation. And here's the thing, this happens
all too often. We're left wondering what to say and how to say it. Wouldn't you say that? I mean,
there's this, this life on the line, a literal life on the line. And we more often than not,
are inadequately prepared to offer hope, to offer words, because we get caught off guard. Well,
that is why we created the start course, because this actually happened to a pastor who worked
with Save the Storks. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do when this,
this young lady asked him this question. And so he spent so much time creating this course
so that we could have language when we're into that situation, right? Because the church needs
a tool to help us understand the situation and clearly communicate God's love and compassion
and truth. So the start course, it equips you with those necessary skills, right? To be that
first responder, when you think of it, if there's an accident, you want to be the first responder
there. You're there, it's first aid. It's that initial conversation. That's what the start
course is there for. Just like having that conversation if someone came to you and said
this. And so it's being that first responder to someone who's in an unplanned pregnancy,
how to have that conversation. It's designed with this essential knowledge that you need
and how to articulate the words to say. And it's not overwhelming. There's not a lot of
unnecessary information. It's just very basic and down to the point and real.
Now, I wanted to show you the start course. So check out these clips.
Until Jesus completely changed the conversation. Jesus sees through their plot and refuses to allow
them to use this woman as a political pawn. He stoops down, writes in the sand and tells them,
whoever is sinless, you throw the first stone. Recognizing their own condemnation under the law,
all of the accusers leave. Jesus is the only sinless one present. Turning to the woman,
he says, neither do I condemn you. Go. And from now on, sin no more. The way Jesus interacts
with this woman gives us a standard for our expression towards those facing an unplanned
pregnancy. Rather than adding to the preexisting shame, pain, and public humiliation, we can join
in Christ's work by offering hope, grace, and restoration. Too often, the pro-life community
has been associated with a similar attitude as the Pharisees in this story, as if the woman
doesn't matter and we're only trying to use her for our political agenda. We're seen as judgmental
and condemning towards those who are facing unplanned pregnancies, those who feel alone,
hopeless, and afraid. But that's okay.
That is not pro-life, because to be pro-life we must be for life and desire to help foster
a thriving environment for all life.
A pro-life church is the extension of Christ's heart for the lost.
As Christ's body, we are invited to participate in his redemption of all things.
He brings healing and transformation to the whole person, and that is what we get to be
involved in, offering holistic hope and support to every human being.
No condemnation, only restoration.
The prophet Hosea recounts God's ache as he sees his people perishing for lack of knowledge.
They don't know God or the abundant life he offers, and death is the natural result.
Likewise, we live in a world where people perish for lack of knowledge.
79% of women who had abortions were never informed about resources available if they
chose life.
73% of women chose abortion because they felt they didn't have the financial resources
to support their child.
Imagine how their stories would be different if they had knowledge of the resources and
support systems that were in their own communities.
What if we all became ambassadors for life?
What if we could graciously educate those around us with the truth of abundant life,
pregnancy help, and the healing God offers to those who have experienced the pain of
abortion?
First, we must learn, then we can share.
People perish for lack of knowledge, but people can thrive when they're empowered with the
truth.
New York's Responder Training Course, or START Course, exists to equip the church to
reach women in an unplanned pregnancy with compassion, education, and holistic care.
We know that when it comes to the topic of abortion and unplanned pregnancy, it feels
difficult to know how to make a difference.
The issue is big.
The pain and pressure are real.
But inaction is not the answer.
Think of this as a CPR course.
You're not required to be the doctor or nurse who knows every detail needed to perform complex
life-saving work.
Rather, you'll learn how to meet the immediate need, be the answer in the moment, and then
get that person to a place where they can receive even more holistic care.
In the next few hours, you'll be introduced to some of the key theological reasons why
we as Christians must advocate for life.
You'll also learn about the problem of abortion and how you can respond to women in unplanned
pregnancies.
Then, we'll equip you with useful communication and listening skills to help you feel comfortable
talking with those who may feel like they're in a crisis.
You'll also learn about the incredible work of pregnancy centers so you know where to
point people who may need their services.
We want to acknowledge that there may be people in this room viewing this video who've experienced
an abortion, and we want you to know that your story matters.
Healing is possible, and God can do great things through your journey.
We don't want to project shame or judgment onto you because you are valuable.
We'll discuss abortion healing resources in a later video, but just know no matter
your story, no matter your age, you can make a difference in someone's life.
We are so thankful for the heart that you have to be educated so you can better serve
and support vulnerable women and men in your community and offer real care to those who
need it most.
Thank you for taking the time to join us and learn to become advocates for life.
Together, we can make a difference in our world, in the name of Christ.
The church needs to be talking about matters of life, of sex, unplanned pregnancy, and
healing from abortion in a deeply compassionate way.
There's a tremendous amount of shame and isolation for those who face an unplanned pregnancy,
especially in the church.
If you look at our first video, we talk about all those statistics.
Imagine how they must feel.
Imagine putting yourself in the shoes of someone who's going through that.
See, the church is the place to create environments that include honest conversation where those
who need community of Christ and know they will be loved and healed and supported and
restored.
But the reality is, the reality is many individuals in your congregation, they've experienced
an abortion or know someone who has, and they're afraid to talk about it.
And very few are aware of what's going on.
But you, as a leader in the church, as someone who has influence, you can be aware of your
words, your statements about the unborn life, and remember to talk about the intrinsic value
of not just the baby, but the moms and the dads and all that are involved in this.
See, many don't believe that God forgives abortion.
So tenderly mention over and over again that grace is available for those who have experienced
abortion.
One of my favorite verses, Matthew 11, verse 28, says this.
It says, come to me.
This is Jesus talking.
You know this?
to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest take my
yoke upon you and learn for me for I am gentle and humble and hard and you will
find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy right and my burden is light and so
someone who is carrying that yoke of their sin and carrying that yoke of
their past introduce him to Jesus introduce him to his truth and his love
and his forgiveness and watch them just blossom and grow in their relationship
with God see the start course can be a tool that helps you do that it helps
your church do that helped you do that to equip your congregation to be readied
and prepared for when that conversation is about to happen the good news is the
start course is free and the link is in the description you can go and register
and start right now maybe do it with a small group of friends maybe do it by
yourself get a couple of churches in to go in with you and you can actually
plan a Sunday you can contact me I can help walk you through that you can also
look at my email which is bill at save the storks comm and that will be in the
description as well but I just want to challenge you to step up be ready be
prepared for that conversation that may happen next we're gonna talk about
another part of our ministry which is absolutely amazing which is our mobile
medical clinics and I guarantee you once you hear about these mobile medical
clinics you're gonna want to jump on and be a part of this incredible ministry