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Volume 2, Issue 1 2nd Quarter 2010 |
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Director's Message
VISION 2010
Putting a twist on Toby Mac's lyrics from "Momentum" -- "I'm a woman on a mission, my position is Momentum!" As a post-abortive woman, God has called me to tell of the night and day difference He's made in my life so others can experience an abundant life. God is receiving glory because of my obedience to share my personal testimony of abortion. Satan intended to steal, kill and destroy through the lie of abortion, but God is turning it around for His good and the saving of many lives!
Fifty million abortions is the equivalent of 50 million babies, women, men and families impacted by abortion! That's generations of lives lost and wounded through the seducing lie of our enemy! My friends, a crisis of this magnitude must not be overlooked!
You may be thinking, 'I don't know anyone who is post-abortive.' But, the post-abortive are your neighbors, co-workers, classmates, and even your friends. They are members of your congregations and families. They are everywhere. Forty-two percent of women before the age of 45 have had at least one abortion. One in four of these women are a professing born-again protestant Christian.
I can't begin to explain the prevalence and magnitude of emotional and physical affects I see in women, men and families on a regular basis. Desperate women choose (or are coerced) into getting an abortion when the enemy of our souls convinces us it is the only solution to our unwanted or crisis pregnancy! Unfortunately, it is after the abortion has been completed that we realize Satan's intention -- to destroy the lives of our babies and our lives as well. But abortion's aftermath goes even further. It affects the entire family unit which in turn affects the body of Christ and society as a whole.
INFG needs MOMENTUM now!
- We need momentum to place us in a position to reach those who are wounded from the choice of abortion in order to offer them hope, healing and restoration in Jesus Christ.
- We need funding to advertise our services throughout the greater KC area and beyond.
- We need venues in which to speak about the hope of restoration for the post-abortive.
Will you partner with us today? Check out our web-site for online giving and volunteer opportunities at www.infg.org. Thank you for helping us in restoring hearts and proclaiming freedom to those hurting from the aftermath of abortion!
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Reconciliation Weekends
Six women including a gal from Iowa were present for the Spring Reconciliation Weekend held in April in Springfield, MO. What an honor it was to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit as he moved through each woman! Participants were given the opportunity to share how abortion has affected their lives and to step onto the path where abundant life in Christ is found - thanks to His death. Many, for the first time, gave names to the children who have lingered in their hearts and thoughts for years. It was like a Light was turned on as they reach out for God's strong arm and accepted His healing. As John 8:12 says, "Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." To witness God's Light within the eyes of these women and the countenance of peace and warmth He brought to their faces and posture was absolutely amazing. Only our Savior can do that in the hearts of believers! The Redeemer saw to it that each woman was truly reconciled with their lost child(ren).
We were blessed to have Lori Harris with us as our worship leader. We were all moved by her spirit, songs, and words of encouragement. She was a wonderful addition to this miraculous weekend. Lori has a new album out called A Different Kind. To preview Lori's music, visit www.loriharris.com.
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Speaking Events
Several speaking opportunities have been made available to INFG in 2010. Team leaders shared with St. Luke's Evangelical Church located in the rural community of Wellington, MO for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHL). During both the contemporary and traditional services, INFG presented testimonies both in word and song, information about our services, and the message of grace given by our Director, Lori Driggs.
In March, Abundant Life Baptist Church partnered with INFG, Rachel House Pregnancy Center, and Missouri Alliance for Life to celebrated SOHL at all three services. INFG is committed to partnering with churches and other life-affirming organizations in our community because together we can do more than we could ever do apart!
In May, Team Leader, Karen Lathrop spoke at her church, Noland Road Baptist, who partners with INFG as a local mission outreach. They support INFG with contributions towards printing and most recently a new laptop computer, as well as, food needs, scholarships, and volunteers.
If you are interesting in INFG speaking at your church or organization, please contact us at ldriggs@infg.org. We would love to send your outreach pastor or women's ministry leader our informational packet. INFG's passion to raise awareness is to reach as many individuals in need of hope and healing after abortion.
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Banquet Fundraiser
 For the past five years, INFG has appealed primarily to a select group of individuals for vital funding dollars by hosting an interest-based fundraising event centered on cycling. This year, we are strategically changing our fundraising focus to hosting an event that promotes action and unity in our Christian community on a broader spectrum! Fifteen inexperienced but eager believers opened their hearts and minds to Life Steward Ministries at our Fundraising Banquet training held on May 1st. Less than a month later, nearly every committee coordinator had been secured as well as the date, venue, speaker and theme. Praise the Lord!
Heartbeat International is a speaker resource for pro-life ministries and we are blessed beyond measure to have representative Jor-El Godsey share his God-fashioned heart with 250 special guests on September 30, 2010. Working with The Hilton Garden Inn has been a pleasure as we seek to offer an excellent Hereford House prepared meal for our guests. Generous underwriters have already provided nearly 25% of our budget and we are confident additional partners will respond to our need for underwriting dollars in the weeks to come.
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Upcoming Events
Her Choice to Heal Class
August 2 - eight two hour classes every Monday evening from 7-9 pm. (Location TBA) Fall Reconciliation Weekend
Spring Reconciliation Weekend April 1-3, 2011 - Location: The Mansion at Elfindale in Springfield, MO |
I recently read a devotion from the book "Waking the Dead" by author John Eldridge that put into words the heart of INFG. "You see, Christ died for a person, and that person is you and me. When Jesus stepped into the scene in His earthly ministry, He reached back to a four-hundred-year-old prophecy to tell us why he's come as he quoted from Isaiah 61:1, which says:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." (Isaiah 61:1-3)
"What is Jesus saying? It has something to do with good news, with healing hearts, with setting someone free. Christ could have chosen any one of a thousand other passages to explain his life purpose. But he did not. He chose this one; this is the heart of his mission. Everything else he says and does finds its place under this banner: "I am here to give you back your heart and set you free." This is the glory of God--man fully alive: It's what he said he came to do. "The glory of God is not man barely making it, a person hardly alive." How can it bring God glory for his very image, his own children, to remain in shame, brokenness, and captive? He wants His children restored!" |
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