A friend, Courtney Leuthy, works at the Hope Clinic in Nashville, Tenn. I thought you’d enjoy reading her testimony here:
What is the purpose of the Hope Clinic?
Our mission statement “Hope Clinic for Women is a safe and confidential place for anyone dealing with life choices regarding past, present or future pregnancies. We provide education, counsel and medical care to anyone regardless of age, race or religion.” We provide free pregnancy tests, counseling, information on abortion alternatives, post-abortion counseling, ultrasounds, and free donated maternity & baby items.
How long have you worked at the Hope Clinic?
I’ve been there for almost a year, but I’ve been involved with Crisis Pregnancy Centers since graduating from college.
Can you describe your responsibilities at the Clinic?
About 50% of my time there is spent doing administrative work and organizing the many different fundraising events during the year. The other half of my time is spent working with clients and volunteers. We are open late two nights a week and on Saturday mornings for clients who may not be able to make it during the day. During those times, I oversee the counseling volunteers and I make sure the clients are being helped in every way possible.
What do you enjoy most about working at the Hope Clinic?
There are so many blessings in working somewhere like Hope Clinic, but the most fulfilling part of my job the ability to give Hope to the hopeless. The clients that we help every day need hope and healing, and we ultimately try to fill that void with Christ!
Why do you feel that this type of ministry is important?
I feel it’s important for many reasons. Obviously, the sanctify of life is a big one: all people are made in God’s image and deserve our protection. Another reasons comes from a book I’ve read lately by Susan Hunt. She explains how this generation has grown up in a culture that magnifies “personal peace and affluence,” giving them the right to whatever they want. Susan Hunt encourages women not to allow the voices of the world to set the agenda for this decade or teach women how to be women. We (the church) need to be teaching women how to be women and if we reach women, we’ll reach the spiritual tempo of our culture because women are spiritual trendsetters! Women teaching and helping women—that’s another reason for the Hope Clinic.
How can other women get involved with this type of ministry?
There’s lots of ways to help at a nearby clinic. You can give of your time by volunteering to counsel or pray with women, organize the clothing room, or do office work. You can give money and attend fundraisers such as Run for Life or Hope for the Future. You can donate your new/used baby clothing/furniture/equipment to a nearby clinic.
