How did you come to the Lord and to care so deeply about the issue of abortion?
I was raised in a Christian home in Newport News, VA. My parents are lovely people who love the Lord and raised my sister and me to follow Jesus. My faith became my own when I was a Junior at Meredith College. I began to attend the college group at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. My faith grew dramatically, and I made a decision to follow Jesus fully. In 2007, I had my first child. In 2008, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and was given a grave diagnosis. This event tested my faith like never before.
I was involved in church, Bible Studies, and small groups. My faith was very strong. My daughter was diagnosed and died from Medulloblastoma in 3 months. I was sure I would die from a broken heart after losing her. It took years of grief, trusting God in the midst of suffering, and a lot of hard work to recover from my loss. I thought God could never use someone as broken as me.
But, ONLY GOD would have such an awesome plan of hope and healing for my life. I began working at my church in 2010 in Local Missions as an Admin, then became a Director. I helped countless people in difficult circumstances, and God gave me a story of redemption I could share with others. In 2021, I felt a nudge to move on after many wonderful years working at my church. I wasn’t sure what God wanted me to do, but I knew it was something big.
Every year, on my daughter’s death anniversary, I would pray that God would use my story for His glory. I prayed that losing my daughter and God’s healing through it would remain a focal point of my life’s work. God pointed me to Love Life through a series of very unique events, people, and finally, a dream. I knew what I was supposed to do. It made sense for me to work with hurting moms who were struggling with loss and hopelessness and who needed healing.
What has God done in your life to prepare you for this work?
God has been training me up for quite some time to be a City Director for Love Life. I have always been a bit of a risk taker and up for adventure. My personality fits well, as I have always thought one of my gifts is courage. I am typically unafraid and like a challenge. My previous work experience helped with the leadership qualities I possess. Our church staff did years of leadership development/ training which has helped me greatly since taking this position with Love Life. Personally, God has created a passion in me for the unborn and for the men and women choosing abortion. I know what it feels like to face overwhelming challenges and to feel desperate.
What made you decide finally to become a sidewalk outreach/city director?
After feeling called to pro-life ministry, I felt uneasy about actually entering into this area of ministry. There are a lot of negative comments and unpleasant reactions when pro-life ministry comes up. I was nervous about my family being targeted and being labeled as an “activist.” God calmed my fears through prayer and encouragement from my husband and family. They felt I was born for this kind of ministry and knew God would take care of protecting us. Indeed, God has and continues to do so.
What are your hopes, goals, and dreams for this ministry?
I hope to be put out of a job in 2023, HA! Actually, if our goal is to end abortion, then I will be happy to see it end in NC and return to my Saturday mornings on the porch drinking coffee. Until then, I hope and pray that our ministry continues to grow, churches and people are mobilized, and that unborn babies and their families are saved physically and spiritually through Christ.
Highlights and struggles you have already faced:
2022 was an amazing year. God blessed the Triangle with 103 unborn baby saves, 4,000 prayer walkers, 53 church partners, and faithful volunteers. It was a thrilling adventure. The struggles are the weekly spiritual attacks on me personally and on my family. I was often exhausted and struggled to manage my duties as a wife, mother, and Love Life Director. These attacks will continue as the work we are doing is a battle on the frontlines, with the enemy eager to devour us.
Another challenge is we lost our gathering spot for Saturday morning prayer walks due to “cancel culture” and businesses wanting to have distance from us. This was due to a vulgar and loud opposition group.
Highlight of the current climate and how we can pray:
We still need a meeting spot with permission from the business owner. Other than that, we are ready to end abortion in the triangle this year and begin 2023 as a LIFE state instead of an abortion haven.