According to the World Health Organization (WHO), twenty-five percent of all pregnancies end in abortion. Guttmacher Institute states that in the U.S., half of all pregnancies are unintended, and four in ten pregnancies are aborted. These are all children who were denied the chance to grow, dream, attend school, and make a difference in the world. This is why the Northwest Church Of Christ is encouraging its members and the community alike, to Opt4Adoption.
 
On Sunday, January 19, Robert Dodson will be delivered a message on "Life Choices" at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. he interviewed Lee Wagstaff, of the Keller church of Christ, a retired science teacher about "Life Issues". Materials were provided on local and state adoption agencies, as well as information regarding help for birth mothers. January 22nd marks the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case ruling restrictive state regulation of abortion as unconstitutional.
 
We want to take a stand and raise awareness about adoption being the best option for these mothers who feel their only choice is abortion. As a church, we wonder how long God will continue to bless a nation that kills its own children. We realize that adoption is not an easy choice, but we feel it is the right choice, and this is why we are encouraging more of our members to adopt, help others adopt, and to spread the impact of adoption throughout our community.
 
On Sunday, January 12, we placed 300 white crosses in our front lawn to gain the attention of our community to what we are trying to do and to remind us all of the over 3,000 children that are aborted every day in our country. You can pay for one of these crosses by placing $3.00 in one of the gold envelopes in the pew racks and putting it in the collection plate. You will also be given opportunity to donate items and/or money to help with baby needs at the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center or other similar pro-life agencies.

Pregnancy and Family Resources
 
*The following resources may be helpful to many individuals, but they are not all affiliated with the churches of Christ.

• Foster’s Home for Children - Sherwood and Myrtie Foster’s Home for Children has embraced the Sanctuary Model of Trauma Informed Care as the conduit for implementing its mission to children and families suffering from violence, neglect, abuse, addiction, racism and trauma. Stephenville, TX   www.fostershome.org
• Arms of Hope - Through its Residential Child Care, Together, College and Career, Right Start, and Outreach Ministry programs, Arms of Hope is committed to providing a safe haven and Christian environment for children and single-mother families by helping them avoid homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect and by leading them to lives of sustaining and productive citizenship. Medina,TX  www.armsofhope.org
• Cherokee Home for Children – The organization provides children a safe and nurturing Christian home during times of family crises. Cherokee, TX www.chc4kids.org
• Pregnancy Help 4 U – They provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, education about options, and community resources. Keller, TX www.pregnancyhelp4u.org
• Fort Worth Pregnancy Center - The Fort Worth Pregnancy Center empowers you with the information and support you need to make a decision about your pregnancy and next steps. They provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and prenatal and parenting classes. Fort Worth, TX  www.fwpc.org
• Christian Homes and Family Services – Their mission is “Changing lives and building Christian families through maternity, foster, and adoption services”. Abilene, TX www.christianhomes.com
• ChristianWorks – They offer adoption services and free post-adoption support groups, free grief support for children ages 5 – 18, free support group for children involved in divorced families, free “BecomingMom” classes, free program for blended families, and free resources for economically disadvantaged children. Dallas & Fort Worth, TX www.christian-works.org