Called to Love
Reflections on Ministering to Post-Abortive Women in Prison

The Post-Abortion Review
Vol. 7, No. 2c, Aug-Sept. 1999
Laurie Velker
Elliot Institute
Reproduced with Permission

". . . I was in prison and you came to visit Me." -- Matt. 25: 36(b)

I had asked God many times to allow me the opportunity to minister behind prison walls. I didn't know how He would open the door for me, but I never stopped asking Him.

Then others in our ministry were inspired to move in that direction by working with Prison Fellowship to hold an outreach event and Bible study/recovery groups in the prisons. I knew then that God was going to allow me to be a part of that ministry outreach and I couldn't wait to go! I'm post-abortive myself and I already felt a strong tug on my heart about reaching post-abortive women in prison.

In May of 1997, the Pregnancy Resource Center and Michigan Prison Fellowship held an "Evening of Hope and Healing" at two women's prisons in Coldwater, Michigan. Following the program, which included a concert by Christian recording artist Kathy Troccoli, I invited the women to participate in a post-abortion Bible study that was to be held at the two prisons for the next ten weeks.

The evening was incredible. The personal testimonies of the speakers and the ministry of Kathy Troccoli moved so many women. The women sang along with Kathy; they danced and cheered her on. When Kathy began to sing "A Baby's Prayer," (a song written for post-abortive women) it got very quiet.

As several post-abortive women shared their testimonies, the sound of weeping women filled the gymnasium. When I invited the women to come up for prayer, they flocked forward. Many of them confessed their abortions and said it was the first time they had done so. It was a powerful evening, filled with hope and an invitation to healing.

Sixty-four women signed up to participate in the 10-week abortion recovery Bible study groups. I personally felt challenged in every way as we went forward in forming our groups. How could we minister to such grief and shame? Were we in over our heads? In the midst of much prayer, I realized that the Father was at work. He had invited us and He would see it through. I knew He had a plan for these women and that we were simply called to love them, be ourselves, and minister His word.


For entire article and more information view: http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V7/n2/laurie.htm

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