Hope Pregnancy Extends the Bridge of Hope at The Republican Meeting

Hope Pregnancy Extends the Bridge of Hope at The Republican Meeting

Jan Strait and Rita Young were invited by the Van Zandt County Republican Club, and introduced by Club President Clay Nicklas. On Monday January 21, 2019 the Hope Pregnancy Center of Van Zandt County extended their bridge of hope, and spoke about the benefits of the center.

What is the Hope Pregnancy Center?

They are a non-profit organization that offers facts, options, and hope for pregnancy related issues. All their services are free of charge. They are able to offer their services free of charge because of such a strong support system in the community. They get all of their support from donations just like the check the Van Zandt County Republican Club handed them Monday night. Without support of donations the Center would cease to exist.

How does the center provide hope for the hopeless?

Photo by Amandi Goldman

Hope Pregnancy Center 2018 Statistics

The Hope Pregnancy Center has 8 very important volunteers according to Jan Strait. They sort baby clothes for the baby store within the center. More importantly they see clients and conduct classes. The center provides the following: free pregnancy test, free diapers, and free sonograms and ultrasounds. Everyone within the center walls are working towards one common goal, “saving babies and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Jan went on to say, “They will be the best informed mom after leaving the Hope Pregnancy Classes.” Jan feels this way because the lessons were written by scientists and psychologists. Men can also take parenting classes, but they are separated from the women.

How does the center handle abortion?

Many young men and women come in with unplanned pregnancies, and they do not know what they are going to do. Many are abortion minded and already have an appointment date set. They have this mind set for many reasons. Jan let the republicans know, they are feeling pressure from outside sources like parents, or the fathers of these unplanned pregnancies, or they do not have a financial support system. Some come with the abortion mindset, and then leave after the sonogram with a change of heart. When they hear the heartbeat, it is hard for them to terminate the pregnancy. The sonographer comes to the center every 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday’s every month.

Rita Young is the Post Abortion Recovery Director, and she councils and ministers to women that have had abortions. Rita quoted verses:

Psalm 107:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces.”

1 Peter 5:7 New International Version (NIV)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Rita went on to say, “Pregnancy centers like the hope center is the front lines of elimination of abortion.” Both ladies believe this and that is stapled in their hearts.

How do the churches help the center?

The center does a Baby Bottle Campaign. The last Baby Bottle Campaign involved the Heritage Trails Cowboy Church in Ben Wheeler. The Pastors wife came and got the bassinet filled with baby bottles. Then, the congregation picks up the bottles, takes them home, and fills them up with money. After the bottles are filled with money they are returned to the church, and then returned to the Center. Lastly, The Hope Center counts the money inside the baby bottles and tells the Pastor of the church (C.R. Chapman) how much was donated.

Where is the Hope Pregnancy Center located?

The Hope Pregnancy Center is located in the blue house across from Brookshire’s, 885 E. State Hwy. 243, Canton, TX 75103. Jan, Rita and the volunteers believe God had a hand in building the house as it is exactly what they needed.

When is the Hope Pregnancy Banquet?

This years banquet will be held on September 28, 2019. The theme will be Bridge to Hope from Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

You can be apart of the Van Zandt County Republicans Club, and see who the next guest speaker will be. The meetings are held on the second floor of the American National Bank 401 TX-243, Canton, TX 75103. Meetings are held every third Monday of each month. The next meeting will be on February 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Amandi Goldman is a freelance reporter with The Northeast Texan. Her interests are photography, rodeo, unusual and community events, human interest stories, and local sports.

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