Summer/Fall 2019

A publication of the Abel Pregnancy Resource Center: A place of hope for those making pregnancy decisions

We were in a marketing meeting at the pregnancy center, strategizing on how we could reach more women in our com-munity with our life-affirming services, when one of our staff members had an outburst of joyful surprise after looking at her cell phone. Nessa had just posted a review of the Abel Preg-nancy Resource Center on our Facebook page and here’s a portion of what she wrote... When I found out I was pregnant I visited the Abel Center for information about options that I had available to me. We talked about all options available and I went with what I thought was best for myself. They also gave me a free sono-gram at no charge...To keep this short, my son was born with SB (Spina Bifada) on July 2nd of this year and I named him Abel after the center! Even though I am pro-choice they wel-comed me with warm loving arms and I believe I made the right decision! 10 out of 10 would recommend the Abel Center. Nessa’s review was especially meaningful in light of the “fake” reviews that had just been posted by supporters of Women’s March West Virginia, an organization that is com-mitted to spreading falsehoods about the excellent care that pregnancy centers in West Virginia are providing to women in the state and in our case, to women also in Virginia. They imply that we are not a real medical clinic, that we provide false information to our clients and that our only focus is “stopping access to abortions.” The truth is that all of our medical personnel are licensed to practice medicine in West Virginia. Our Medical Director, under whose license we operate, has been a practicing OB/GYN doctor for over forty years. Our nursing staff have a combined eighty years of medical experience between them and the doctor who reads our ultrasound scans has a thriv-ing reputable OB/GYN practice. All medical information shared with clients is reviewed ahead of time by medical per-sonnel. Last year, 100% of our first time clients indicated on their Exit Questionnaire that the Abel PRC staff were clear and honest about the services available at the center and 100% would recommend the center to a friend facing similar

circumstances. Our focus has always been on loving women facing an unplanned pregnancy by providing them with life-affirming care that is capable of empowering them to choose life for themselves and their unborn children. When Nessa came for services, she knew that we didn’t perform or refer for abortion and yet she felt loved and cared for so much so that she decided to name her son Abel, after the pregnancy center! Nessa’s personal experience with our staff and the services she received stands in sharp contrast to the misleading and false characteri-zations made by WV Free and Women’s March WV. We will continue to pray that the hearts of our adversaries will be changed and that

what Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:12 will be true of us and them, “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neigh-bors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”

“Even though I am pro-choice they welcomed me with open arms…”

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Thank you so much for your sacrificial and generous giving through the first half of 2019. We are very grateful for all who participated in this year’s Baby Bottle Blessings campaign and the Master’s Open Golf Tournament and who continue to support the center through their monthly pledges. Your financial support is making it possible for us to do a number of things that would otherwise not be possible. We know that some of these addi-tional funds will be needed to help transition new staff into their positions. Also, we are in the process of upgrading a few of our computers which is a rather ex-pensive endeavor. Advertising is also expensive, so these extra funds will be helpful as we continue to diversify our marketing outlets to reach more clients.

Income/Expense Report January - July 2019

+ $12,962

Income Expenses

-$93,864 +$106,826

On Thursday, August 22nd, staff and board members gathered for lunch at the center to honor Sarah Roberts for her faithful and excellent service over the last ten years as Administrative/Client Services Assistant. Sarah poured herself into the ministry, going over and above her normal work requirements to help out with center events and doing every-thing with a joyful servant’s heart. Sarah will be leaving to accept a teaching position at Grace Christian Academy in Wytheville, VA. Our office will be less bright without you Sarah—you will be missed! As Sarah steps into a new chapter in her life, we extend a warm welcome to Cassie Merkle who will be stepping into Sarah’s position. Cassie is a graduate of Bluefield College where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She was a Kindergarten teacher for a number of years and now is a homeschooling mom. She and her family are active at Brushfork Baptist Church. Please hold Sarah and Cassie in your prayers as they transition into their new roles.

My name is Elaine Tiller, and I am honored to serve as the Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors at the Abel PRC. I have lived in the Bluefield area my entire life, and have worked with the Center for four years. I am married and have two grown children. I work as a Nutrition Outreach Instruc-tor for West Virginia University Extension Service.

I became involved with the Center because I have a heart for babies, and felt God’s leading to the Abel PRC. My vision for the Center is for the staff, directors, volunteers, and our community to spread the word about the hope and help that is provided to anyone who is faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Our desire is to help them to make a life-affirming decision that is best for the mothers and their babies. It is a safe place to come where they will be treated with respect and compassion.

I truly believe in the work that is being done at the Abel PRC and see it growing beyond what we can imagine and being a ministry for Christ in the Four Seasons community and far beyond. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. Every life is important.

On August 20th from 10am – 4pm, the Abel PRC held a Summer Giveaway & Shopping Day. Expectant and new parents had the opportunity to fill a bag with free baby clothes, diapers and more! Our Earn While You Learn cli-ents also had the option of using their mommy/daddy dol-lars for other items. Nine shoppers took advantage of this special shopping day, happily leaving the center with lots of amazing things for their babies. We’d like to send out a very special thank you to everyone who has donated baby items to us over the last year. You are the reason we could have an event like this for our moms and dads.

Summer Give-Away and Shopping Day

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Phone: 304.325.2000 E-mail: info@abelcenter.org Web: www.friendsofabel.org

Facebook.com/abelcenter

Here’s how I would like to express my support Summer/Fall 2019

● Pledge Monthly $_____________● Share a One-Time Gift $_____________________ ● _______Be a Walk for Life 2019 Corporate Sponsor for $300.00

Name: __________________________________________________________________ Business Name: ___________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________Phone_______________________ City: _________________________________State: ____________Zip_______________ E-mail: __________________________________________________________________

Thank you so much for partnering with us in ministry.

Step 1: Register online at www.friendsofabel.org.

Step 2: Use your online fundraising page (generated upon registering) or the enclosed brochure. Ask EVERYONE you know to sponsor you. You

will be amazed at how many say YES!

Step 3: Bring your completed Pledge Form(s) the day of the Run/Walk (or walk on your own and mail it in). Don’t collect any money. We’ll handle the billing!

Live Music by 34Adonai

When you sponsor Walk for Life 2019 for $300, your name will go on over 100 event T-Shirts and appear on each runner’s/walker’s online fundrais-ing page. Let us know if you’d like to be one of our 2019 Walk for Life corporate sponsors.

If you shop online at Amazon Smile, keep in mind that

0.5% of everything you buy will be donated to the Abel PRC if you link your purchases to “Abel Crisis Preg-

nancy Center.” This is similar to what many of you do when you shop at Kroger.

Have you been thinking about getting more involved with the Abel PRC? Volunteering your skills, time and talents? We’d love to hear from you!! Please give us a call or drop us an email so that we can get together and start a conversation about where your unique set of skills and interests fit into this ministry.

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BLUEFIELD, WV 24701

PERMIT NO. 300

This colored edition of the Abel Letter is made possible by Clinch Valley Printing in Tazewell, VA 276-988-5410. Thank You! Walk for Life 2019 ● Saturday, October 12th

Bluefield Parks and Recreation Youth Auditorium

Bluefield First Church of the Nazarene work crew

Thanks to all those who rode in the NRV Ride for Life to raise funds for the pregnancy centers in Blacksburg, Radford and Bluefield;

The 2nd Annual Mercer Diaper Run attracted over sixty riders who donated 5,208 diapers to the Abel PRC! Thanks Voice of Praise Worship Center and all who donated a pack of diapers!!

Instructor Josh Arnold joined six of his Bluefield Col-lege students for a community service day at the Center. They cleaned the facility and beauti-fied the grounds!!

Our summer childbirth class

series was a big success! This class was taught by our Client Services Director, Madeline Johnson, who is a certified childbirth educator. Two expecting mothers and one dad attended the series and spent four weeks learning about all things pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and newborn care. Each class was filled with educational material and practical tips, as well as opportunities to ask questions and discuss the topics being presented. At the end of the class series, one of the moms won a special door prize filled with fun items for herself and baby boy on the way! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for information regarding more classes in the future!

Childbirth and Beyond Class

Special Door Prize

Thank you Josh and students from Bluefield College!