EMBRACE GRACE

by Jessica Champlin

Single. Pregnant. No little girl says to herself, “when I grow up, I want to be a single mom,” yet it’s a circumstance all too familiar. We talk a lot about being pro-life, ending abortion and saving lives, but practically speaking, what are we doing?

Now that my kids are both in school, I have more time to dedicate to ministry. Recently, I began praying about what the Lord would direct me to do. During that season, I had a dream where I was speaking on college campuses with girls who were praising abortion. I turned and asked them if they really knew what abortion looked like. As I began to explain the details, they began to weep. When I woke up, I felt a strong presence of the Holy Spirit and I knew this wasn't just any dream.

I continued praying the next morning and later in the day, when I checked social media, the very first post was a prophetic word talking about the Lord raising people up to speak out against abortion. I knew the Lord was calling me to do something. I met with some of the leadership from our Women's Ministries that same day and they prayed over me and commissioned me to engage in the pro-life movement. I didn't know exactly what that would be, but I began seeking out all of the pro-life activities in our area. I came across Right to Life Kern County and discovered they hold college campus outreach where volunteers engage college students in healthy discussion about their point of view on abortion. So I signed up!

I learned about activist Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Director who now helps people in the abortion industry get out. She was championing a ministry called Embrace Grace that supports abortion minded women in an effort to reach them for Christ and save their baby.

Historically, girls who become pregnant without a husband have been isolated and even alienated from the church. Whether their own shame kept them away or unkind words received from a congregant, these young women are running from the church. Enter Embrace Grace. Embrace Grace is an international organization aimed at helping single, pregnant girls find community and a home within churches. Their goal, and now ours, is for the girls to run to the church instead of from the church. In fact, the mission of Embrace Grace Inc. is “to inspire and equip the church to love on single and pregnant young women and their families.” Can you think of anyone more in need of the church than a pregnant, scared young girl with few options?

We’re so excited to announce Canyon Hills has just launched an Embrace Grace group. This group will feature a Bible-based curriculum aimed towards showing each girl that regardless of past sin, hurts or failures they are a daughter of the King. God is rich in mercy and abounding in grace and He longs to bring these lost ones into the fold. Every participant will attend a 12-week small group where they will learn Biblical truths and develop community within the church. In addition, each girl will be part of a lavish baby shower, or celebration of life event should she choose to place her baby for adoption. Embrace Grace is an amazing opportunity for the church body to love and support some of the most vulnerable in our city. You can be a part of changing the destiny of a young mother and her baby—the church will be the reason a mom chooses life for her baby!

Please be in prayer for this new ministry. We know it is birthed from the Lord and are trusting Him to provide resources, volunteers and young women who are desperate for the “kindness of God (Romans 2:4).” We are honored to have an opportunity to play a part in the restoration of lives and we cling to this verse from Psalms, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

For more information about Embrace Grace, email embracegrace@canyonhills.com