Pregnancy Center Leaders Work to Strengthen Alternatives to Abortion

Providing Choices Everyone Can Live With

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, April 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Close to 600 pro-life pregnancy center leaders from the U.S., Canada, and Australia are in St. Louis this week for the 36th Annual Heartbeat International Conference to strengthen the alternatives to abortion network.

"We are a client focused group of non-political, not-for- profit, faith-based centers that are striving to be life- affirming in every situation and God-centered in every instance," said Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. "Faced with a sex-driven culture that promotes instant gratification rather than true relationships, we are called to provide alternatives that protect women's health, defend the defenseless, and preserve the family."

Dr. Johnny Hunter, leader of the largest African American pro-life organization, will be speaking on the anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision. Invited guests include Lynne Jackson, great-great granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott, and Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"When black pastors unite to lead the pro-life cause," said Rev. John Ensor, Heartbeat's Executive Director of the Urban Initiative, "the entire abortion debate will be altered beyond recognition."

About 37 percent of abortions are performed on African Americans, while making up only 12 percent of the population. A primary Heartbeat initiative is to start pregnancy centers in urban areas where they're needed most because abortion providers have targeted minorities. Rev. John Ensor will address the importance of steering our movement into the cities.

Heartbeat will provide more than 80 workshops such as: Getting Fathers Involved, Detrimental Effects of Abortion, Perinatal Hospice, 10 Point Health and Safety Checklist, Unmasking Sexual Con Games, and Marriage Education in our Centers.

Heartbeat International, founded in 1971, is an interdenominational Christian association of more than 1,000 pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, non-profit adoption agencies, medical clinics, and post abortion groups in 47 states and 38 countries.

Heartbeat International provides Option Line (800-395- HELP), a joint venture with Care Net, to connect callers with the local pregnancy center for the help they need. Each month our national call center responds to approximately 20,000 contacts and provides a center locator system and Instant Messenger online at www.optionline.org.