Resources help churches plan a January “Sanctity of Life” emphasis

Texas is peppered with churches filled with people who say they’re 100 percent pro-life. Texas is also peppered with pro-life ministries and events, but many of those ministries and events see only a few pro-life Christians involved, serving and attending.

Perhaps the breakdown lies in waning awareness of opportunity or even information that is just “too little, too late.”

January marks Sanctity of Human Life month, so here are a few resources to help pastors, churches, leaders, businesses and Christians:

1. Local pregnancy resource centers: The Heidi Group and Ramah International both offer online directories to help locate pregnancy resources across Texas and in other states.

The Heidi Group: heidigroup.org
Ramah International: ramahinternational.org/texas

Resource centers typically welcome volunteer help in a myriad of capacities and both monetary and tangible donations to help expectant mothers care for themselves during pregnancy and their babies after delivery. Resource centers often provide classes to prepare parents to care for their children and to teach life skills that will help parents give children the best life possible.

The Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, specifically, has also made a ready-to-print bulletin insert and a two-minute promo video that churches can use free of charge to promote the January emphasis on the sanctity of life. To access the bulletin and video, visit austinpregnancyresourcecenter.org.

2. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention: The ERLC offers a host of resources on its website, including a three-minute video message from President Russell Moore, a potential sermon outline and a bulletin insert. These resources are available at erlc.com/life.

3. Texans for Life Coalition: Kyleen Wright’s organization serves as a hub for all things pro-life, listing links to all sorts of organizations, from ministries and political action groups to pregnancy centers and research and statistics sites. Frequent news updates are posted on the Texans for Life website as well as a Twitter feed for quick bits of information. Find Texans for Life at texlife.org.

4. North Texas March for Life: Roe v. Wade was first filed in Dallas’ Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse in 1970 before the Supreme Court issued its decision on the case in 1973. Jan. 17, 2015 will mark the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision, and thousands will gather that day in downtown Dallas to march for life, praying to end legalized abortion in America. Visit dallasmarchforlife.org for details.

5. Surrendering the Secret: Pat Layton wrote this Bible study to minister to women who have had abortions and desire healing and restoration. Bible studies are offered in churches across the nation, and the website offers a host of resources for churches to use in ministering to women who desire to “heal the heartbreak.” Find videos, books, articles, bulletin inserts, brochures, contact cards, pastor packets, gift sets and information about hosting a Bible study on their website at surrenderingthesecret.com.