Sanctity of Human Life director works to save babies (and grown-ups)

LAKELAND (FBW)-"Thirty years ago no one knew the cost of Roe v. Wade," Kathleen Hiers told Florida Baptist Witness. "The truth is we won't know the total cost until heaven."

Hiers, the Sanctity of Human Life director of the Florida Baptist Children's Homes, said the state of Florida ranks third in the number of abortions performed in America. In 2001 a total of 85,589 babies were aborted in Florida-that means 235 babies a day or one infant death every seven minutes.

January 22 marks the 30th anniversary the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion on demand. Since then more than 40 million children have died by abortion.

"We know that men, women and families have been devastated by the choice they have made," Hiers said. "My heart's desire is that each Southern Baptist would know the truth about how precious each person is to God because they are made in His image and designed for His glory ... no matter the circumstance of that child's conception."

Hiers' official work with women seeking guidance about their unplanned pregnancies began eight years ago while in West Palm Beach when she interned at First Baptist Church's Crisis Pregnancy Center (now called Pregnancy Resource Center). Her passion for the ministry hit earlier, however, when Hiers considered her own mother's plight.

"My Mom was 26, married to an abusive alcoholic and pregnant with me-her fifth child," Heirs said. "Had abortion been legal in 1966, that's the choice she would have made."

With that knowledge, Hiers has worked hard to make sure women know there are alternatives to abortion and people who are willing to help. In 2000 Hiers was hired to consult with Baptist churches and associations in their efforts to start and/or improve their Pregnancy Care Centers.

Twenty-six of the PCC's, scattered throughout the state, consider evangelism a "first" priority, said Hiers.

"Our heart is to share Christ as we are meeting the needs," Heirs said. "These PCCs enjoy the blessing and protection of being under the ministry of a local body of believers of like faith and practice. The goal of each volunteer is to share Jesus with each client they meet.

"We share the Gospel with each client-knowing that God has been at work in her life before she came and will continue after she leaves the pregnancy care center," Hiers said.

There is no typical client who enters a PCC. Heirs said she has facilitated pregnancy tests for 11-year-olds girls and 46-year old women. Some are frightened and others are very "matter-of-fact" about the possibility of being pregnant. One common denominator among the girls and women, however, said Hiers, is that "each one is sent by God so that we can serve her in His name."

For this reason counselors warmly welcome each woman who comes into a PCC. The client is given a list of services offered, which may include a pregnancy test, clothes, pregnancy termination risks, adoption information and a sonogram, said Hiers. Each fills out a form so a counselor can get to know her lifestyle, her economic situation, family dynamics, spiritual background and her thoughts about the possible pregnancy. Hiers said the PCC approach is to establish a relationship with each woman or girl.

"So many times she just needs someone to listen. To really hear her heart, her fears, her needs, her dreams," Heirs said of the women who come to the center.

If the woman is considering a pregnancy termination, Heirs said the counselor does not condone or condemn the woman's attitude, but informs her about risks of abortion procedures and offers her life-affirming options.

"The clients we serve do not need or deserve our condemnation but our compassion," Heirs said. "[They need] compassion that recognizes their infinite worth to God and His desire to draw them out of the situation they are in and into new life in Christ."

Heirs said that all Florida Baptists can help in this ministry even if there is not a PCC nearby. She said the most important way is to pray:

• for the girl who comes to a PCC wondering if there is anyone who cares.
• for those who work in abortion clinics and need to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.
• for men and women to love each other in God-honoring ways.
• for the PCC counselors and volunteers.

Another way to help is through financial support, Hiers said. Most of the PCC's are funded through a local church as part of the church budget. Some of the centers hold fundraising events, and some are assisted by local church associations.

The average initial cost to provide services per client is about $50, which includes everything from rent to literature, according to Hiers, who said she hopes God will call more Florida Baptists to start a PCC in their community.

"There are places across Florida where a woman can get to an abortion clinic before she can get to a PCC," Hiers said. Although nine new PCCs are planned to open throughout the state, Miami is the area of greatest need where 25 percent of all Florida abortions are performed.

"We are praying for five new PCC's in the Miami next year," Hiers said. "We need people who are willing to work and willing to give. Now is the time for the people of God to cry out for mercy, to seek God's face and to recommit themselves to standing for the Sanctity of Human Life."

For more information about starting a Pregnancy Care Center, see Churches urged to start pregnancy care centers

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For related coverage, see Sanctity of Human Life Archive