Judy Rushing, a former missionary from Kenya who volunteers at our center, has recently written a book entitled, Never Say "Never." The book chronicles her amazing life as a missionary in Nandi Hills, Kenya, working with churches that she helped to plant on previous mission trips.  Through multiple challenges to literal life and death situations, you can see the hand of God as He directs, and she follows His plan for her life.  I highly encourage you to read this inspiring book that is now available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Noble on-line book stores.  Her book should be available at local Christian book stores in the very near future.  From her amazing story, there's no doubt that your faith and trust in the Lord will be strengthened and stretched.

Recently, several of our staff attended the Global Missions Impact Conference hosted by First Norcross United Methodist Church.  What a heart for missions this church has!  International as well as home missionaries were warmly welcomed by the church staff and encouraged to communicate, network, and interact with one another.  It was a time when they could share about their ministries, pray with each other, as well as sing and praise the Lord.   It truly was a time of celebration.  For me, it wasn't until we were called to the front of the large room to introduce ourselves and tell about our ministries that it "clicked" that we were considered missionaries.  I have a very lofty view of missionaries, and I certainly didn't feel I "fit the bill."  With awe and total humility, I walked forward as instructed, thanking God that he called me to this ministry and praying that I would never let Him down.

Later in conversation with an international missionary who volunteers at our center, I told her about this situation.  She smiled and said, "Of course, you are a missionary.  Don't you know that you don't have to cross the sea to be a missionary?  You just have to see the cross!" 

(Beginning)

The "IMPACT" Program began with a pilot program of 20 students in 2000, and has increased to serving over 18,000 students during the last school year.  The growth of the program has been incredible, and we are so blessed to be involved in our community. We believe we have been called, and our mission field is to educate our young people and community about consequences, accountability, and encourage them to make the right decisions and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

(Current)

We are grateful we have the opportunity to speak to such large numbers of students knowing that only eternity will reveal the full scope of influence this program has had on their young lives. Let's not get caught up in the larger numbers.  Let's stop for a moment and look at some smaller ones, 71 and 12. One of the things we offer by going into the classrooms and community is to offer the link or connection to the PRCG for the services we provide.   Between June and December of 2009 our phone center recorded 71 calls from students that identified they had heard the program at school and needed some sort of assistance.  Of those 71 callers, 12 of them were identified as "abortion minded." There were twelve young ladies, who were in 9^th grade and were between the ages of 15-17 years of age who wanted information about abortion.  It is heartbreaking that they are facing this decision at such a young age, but we are thankful our program speakers were able to make that connection - that life-line for services back to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett.

(Future)

There are so many pressures facing our youth today. Abstinence education is a necessary investment in their future. It is so important to offer programs to our community and youth to promote life choices that are truly the best.

What is the future for abstinence education?  As most of us know, our program grant is coming to an end September, 2010, and we are working diligently to replace those funds with private donations, fund raisers, etc.  We would ask you to join us in prayer and partnering with us for the continuation of the program. 

We often hear stories about women changing their hearts after coming to the PRCG, hearing the truth, and seeing their baby for the first time on ultrasound. We love to see this type of reaction to their new baby. Today, I'd like to share a different type of story.

You may wonder if and how we impact our male clients at the center so I am going to share a story about an 18 year old young man who had an appointment with us for STD testing.  I would soon see what a divine appointment it was!

Steven told me he was home schooled all of his life. He was brought up in church and was saved as a young boy but always felt like an outcast by his peers in church and anywhere he interacted with other kids.

He said that one day someone made him feel "special". He began a relationship with an older male. Although he knew this was wrong, he continued but stated he felt dirty and needed to stop. He came to the PRCG for STD testing and to make a new start. He said he ended this male relationship and starting praying daily with his Bible by his nightstand. He prayed to God for forgiveness but also to send him a wife. He made a commitment the day he was here to remain abstinent and avoid same sex relationships.

We talked about asking God to use him in the future to help other men or women who find themselves in the same situation because through God's grace anything is possible. I was so blessed by this young man.

Dear Staff Member,

Thank you for all you are to me.  When I came to PRCG,  I was interested in volunteering. At the time I had not been attending church and my walk with the Lord had gone by the wayside. However, I did feel a strong need to help at the pregnancy center. After speaking to you and knowing the guidelines the center has, I began going to church. This was so (in my mind) that I could fulfill the guidelines to be a volunteer. As I began attending church I realized what had been missing from my life - the Lord!

I came to volunteer at the center in order to try to save babies. What I learned is that the pregnancy center does so much more than save babies. They save them, but also the mothers and the volunteers too! I am so blessed to be at the church and the pregnancy center. God's work is never ending and I thank God, he is working in you, and the pregnancy center and in my life. I thank God for you! I am so very blessed!

Thank you to all who have shared their time, talent, and/or resources with us and to the clients we serve.  Whether you knit booties, blankets, or caps for our new mothers, or clean, paint, or donate in any way to the center, we genuinely appreciate your generosity and kindness.