Adoption Training @ The Source for Women Houston

“I cannot begin to thank you enough for bringing this amazing and truly enlightening training into our center today. What a blessing this has been. It has truly given our staff and volunteers further knowledge on such an important piece of the puzzle and equipped us to present adoption as an option to our clients in need. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are appreciated more than you will ever know.” – training participant

What a resounding endorsement for the full-day adoption training Act of Life provides. We thank the Lord for another opportunity to present the Biblical perspective of adoption to a group of enthusiastic men and women yesterday.

The seminar was held at The Source for Women near the Galleria, and The Gladney Center for adoption sponsored the event so there was no charge for the attendees! We extend warm thanks to both of these amazing organizations!
And hats off to Chris Wenz who stayed up late on the eve of the training to hang a screen for the PowerPoint presentation. You went above and beyond, Chris! Thank you!

How do YOU feel about adoption? Are you confident and knowledgeable to share the good news of adoption with people in your life? While this particular training is geared primarily toward pregnancy counselors we frequently have others join our seminars and remark how it has equipped them to speak about adoption outside a traditional counseling room. Equally satisfying is when some call back with stories of how the Lord used them to minister to someone in their personal lives.

Who can benefit from Act of Life's training?

* pastors, youth pastors, and staff of churches

* pregnancy counselors

* teachers

* board directors of life ministries

* maternity home staff and houseparents

* YOU

Call 713.991.LIFE (5433) to speak with someone about how to host a training in your area, or check our website for upcoming training opportunities. We have additional programs we are sure you will want to learn about as well. Whichever outreach you attend one thing is certain: you will emerge educated, encouraged and equipped!

Julie

Off to a Running Start

Happy New Year!

Act of Life is off to a strong start already. We have already touched 39 people with adoption information! We've educated clients who have called in or submitted email enquiries, educated residents of Houston's LifeHouse maternity home and trained counselors in 8 Dallas/Fort Worth pregnancy centers. All of this activity has been accomplished in the first 11 days of 2010! Praise the Lord!!

Along the lines of training, we want you to be aware of an upcoming training that will be held next Thursday, Jan. 21 at Source for Women here in Houston. It will run 11 - 5 and will include lunch. This particular seminar is fully underwritten by Gladney Center for Adoption, so there is no cost to attend. You won’t want to miss this opportunity ~ Details are as follows:

When: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Registration and Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Training: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Source for Women 6009 Richmond Ave. Suite 130 Houston, 77057
In the Galleria area

CEUs will be available upon request. This is the perfect opportunity to train your staff and volunteers on how to best present the adoption option with knowledge and confidence!

RSVP by January 18 to Amber Stoffer Thomas at 713-780-0030 or athomas@thesourceforwomen.org so we can prepare for this wonderful day of fun, fellowship and learning.

Hope to see you on January 21!

Celebration of Life 2009

"I was so very impressed with the amazing event Friday. It was my favorite so far..."

"What an awesome program!"

"WOW!"

"What a wonderful celebration of life we were blessed to be a part of this evening!"

"Great dinner, great speaker!"

"Dr. Land was tremendous!"

These are just a few of the comments we have received through email, voice mail and Facebook since the Celebration of Life was held Friday, November 20. People battled the rain and the snarl of traffic to make it to the Houston Hilton Hobby Airport to take part in a fantastic evening.

The auction captured many people's attention with items from James Avery, premier golf courses in Houston and The Woodlands, along with pristine prints from beloved Christian artist, Larry Dyke. Many people secured special stocking stuffers for sure!

We were then treated to a delicious dinner (yes, the hotel food was very good - no rubber chicken) and an action-packed program. We heard a message by letter from Texas Governor Rick Perry, Dr. Joe Pojman from Texas Alliance for Life spoke about our collaborative relationship with them, and Colyn Bezanilla shared a heart-felt testimony from her perspective as a birth mother. Next, Executive Director, Lynda LeCompte gave a report of how effective Act of Life has been during this past year and then cast the vision for where we are headed in the days ahead. This led us to Dr. John Morgan of Sagemont Church introducing our keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Land.

Dr. Land's address was a combination of humor and urgency. He related to the audience very well and his message was clear: adoption is a key component in the overall pro-life message. Adoption is a loving parenting option. Adoption is a win-win-win situation - the birth mother, the baby, and the adoptive family. Adoption is an antidote to abortion.

All who were in attendance raved! Many congregations from around the city were represented, but we must say a big thank you to Sagemont Church. Their continued support has been a stabilizing force for our advancement in ministry. Hearty thank you's must also be sent out to the Board of Directors and the Event Committee for their tireless efforts which made the evening such a tremendous success.

Act of Life is a team made up of committed individuals, churches, donors and businesses who make our ministry to birth mothers, adoptive parents, adoptees, schools, pregnancy centers, maternity homes, juvenile detention centers and society in general possible.

Be watching in the coming weeks for more information on our exciting new education initiatives. The Lord has big plans in store for Act of Life, and He will utilize many to accomplish His purposes.

Would you like to join in the action?

I love how Henry Blackaby talks about "finding out where God is working and joining Him in the work." I can assure you that Act of Life was birthed by God, is sustained by Him and is being propelled forward by His Spirit.

Don't miss out on your opportunity to join this exciting work of the Lord. Find out more by visiting our website. We would love to hear from you.

Blessings to you and yours during this season of giving thanks. We are thankful for each of you, for you make our ministry possible. Please take a moment to peek at the pictures and consider how you might be able to become an active partner.

Julie Stobbe

Enjoy our photo presentation of the evening's events...

Orphan Sunday - Nov. 8

The Spirit of God is awakening the Church to the cry of the orphan. So, who is the orphan? The word 'orphan' might conjure up for you an image of a child in a third world country. Perhaps some think of a child in the U.S. Foster Care system. Still others enlarge the definition to include the baby being knit together in the womb of a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Whatever you envision an orphan to be the Scriptures are clear: "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27 (NASB)

Act of Life wants you to be aware of a one-of-a-kind upcoming event in Houston. Come participate. Hear what God is doing in the United States and across the world. Worship, be inspired, and explore how the Lord might want to use you to care for the orphans in this world. We hope to see you there!

Working and serving together,
Julie

Announcement:
Legacy685 - Adoption & Orphan Care Ministry of Houston's First Baptist Church is hosting a special event on November 8 - Orphan Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the chapel. Join voices with Steven Curtis Chapman, Jim Daly, and Dennis Rainey to reach the nation with God’s call to care for orphans. Through excellent music and the sharing of the heart of God, we hope to give a megaphone to the cries of the millions of orphans around the world. Other guests include Geoff Moore and the Children of the World Choir.

The concert will be broadcast LIVE via webcast and satellite. The broadcast will be a mixture of both musical performance and the sharing of the heart of God, and it will be appropriate for all audiences.

Where: Houston's First Baptist Church - 7401 Katy Freeway, at the corner of I-10 and 610 Loop West. Room: The Chapel - located near the worship center.

When: November 8, 2009 - Sunday Time: 4:00 pm - 6:20 pm

Refreshments and light snacks will be served.There will be a very brief time of testimony during the concert. For directions, questions or to RSVP contact Steve & Mary Klein at 281-246-9904 or email them at kleinfam6@entouch.net

Abortion & Adoption, In The Spiritual Realm

The Senior Pastor at my church, Sagemont Church in Houston, never fails to amaze me with his insight into the things of this world that have a direct correlation with things in the spiritual realm. Dr. John Morgan, or Brother John, as he is also known, this past Sunday morning shared with the congregation how he had come to a realization in the previous days about how abortion in the physical - the cutting short of a physical life - is the same as abortion in the spiritual. "How so?", you might ask. I will use my own words to describe my understanding of Brother John's thesis.

In the same way that a physical life can be sadly cut short in the womb through abortion, and oh how we mourn that loss, so too can a spiritual life be aborted. When we introduce people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are a conduit for the Holy Spirit to inject them with spiritual life support. Not that God needs us to do that, but it is perfectly clear in His word that we are to: "19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,even to the end of the age.” Amen." Matthew 28: 19-20.

When we see those who are spiritually lost, and we are not active in the Great Commission to bring others to Jesus Christ, do we mourn that loss in the same way we mourn for the aborted baby in the womb?

We could also use the same analogy for those who are new believers. As Christians, sometimes we do not have the patience and/or perseverance to continue on a path alongside baby Christians. Therefore, they may not grow spiritually, and may never develop into the mature Christian that he has the potential to be. That spiritual life has been stunted. We do know that all Christians, regardless of maturity, have a place in the Kingdom. It is a much debated topic - once saved always saved - but is quite elementary. Scripture says in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." My emphasis added. Whosoever, which is all Christians, not just those who read the bible every day, taught Sunday School, attended seminary and brought hundreds to salvation. Of course, there are our crowns at the Bema Seat of Christ, but that's another study all by itself.

So, what about adoption in the spiritual? Anyone who has attended an Act of Life Adoption Workshop or Primer will have heard myself or Julie talk about how adoption of a child into a new physical family is the same as when we are saved: we are adopted into God's forever family: "... He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ", Ephesians 1:5. Through physical and spiritual adoption alike, a person is given a new life.

Isn't that incredible that God gave us tangible analogies of life and death in the physical to help us understand life and death in the spiritual? He knows how our hearts break for every baby that is aborted, who could have potentially been adopted into the loving arms of a new family. As an adoption educator, I know how hard it is to help people understand that adoption into a physical family is a loving parenting choice that saves lives and creates families. Perhaps now we can understand how our heavenly Father's heart breaks for every spiritual life that is aborted, by not being adopted into His spiritual family.

Grateful for His continuous revelation,

Lynda

Texas Life Connection Conference

Encouraging, enlightening, and inspiring are all words I would use to describe the recent Life Saving 201 Conference hosted by Texas Life Connections (TLC). On July 18, over 170 staff and volunteers of many pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex descended upon the west campus of First Baptist Church in Euless, TX. Participants gathered to learn how to be more effective in reaching today's women who walk through their doors.

People heard general sessions from Dr. Julie Parton (TLC), Mary Margaret Gibson, (Save the Mother, Save Her Child), and Marilyn Morris (Aim for Success). As a part of Act of Life I was blessed to present a breakout session called "Getting Beyond: I can't Give My Baby Away!" I'm happy to report the session was very well attended and guess what? We ran out of all of our resources! There is certainly a need to continue reaching out to pregnancy resource counselors equipping them with all they need to effectively present adoption. We were able to connect, pray with and refer people at the conference to resources which will help them continue their adoption journeys. We have our work cut out for us, but we are up for the task!

Thank you to our donors and prayer partners who make our work possible. You are making a tremendous impact!

We are pleased to continue our collaborative relationship with Texas Life Connections. When we work together as the Body of Christ, not only do we serve more ministries and reach more people, I think more importantly, we glorify our Father in heaven.

Act of Life desires to remain true to our vision of advancing adoption awareness, and we are excited about the many doors God opens for us to realize this vision. Psalm 82:3-4 in the Bible says, "Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." Those who comprise Texas Life Connections (PRCs, maternity homes, life-affirming organizations along with Act of Life) are all certainly on the front lines playing their roles in fulfilling this verse. What a joy to be a part of this work!

Special thanks to Linda Bussey (pictured) and her husband Len, for their graciousness, generosity, and taxi service. They are servants who extended their gift of hospitality to me during my stay in Dallas. In today's economy their support helps us be the best stewards we can be with the financial treasures people entrust to our care.

What do you suppose the Lord has in store next?

Enjoying the journey,
Julie Stobbe

Father's Day Bike Run

More fun than you can shake a stick at. That's my summary, but for the rest of civilization, here is a more detailed account.

We congregated early at San Jacinto Harley-Davidson and enjoyed the roar of each bike as it pulled up near the registration tent. It didn't take long before there was a decent sized group of people as the 19 riders, many with passengers, gathered around the registration tent, ready for the ride briefing. Instructions were shared, and we learned that we had an EMT and a nurse in the group, which was a gift from God given that the heat index was going to creep up past 100 degrees. We prayed and thanked the Lord for the beautiful day and the breeze, and asked for safety as we rode. John Skipper, a Harley-Davidson representative who had helped with registration setup, assisted us out of the parking lot by stopping the traffic, and off we went... the long way round to San Jacinto Monument.

It was amazing how all of the traffic lights were in our favor, and cars would pause at stop signs allowing all bikes to go through. My husband, the pack leader, Bud, commented how it was Jesus that had led us through those lights and stop signs, and how he felt like Moses parting the Red Sea. If you've seen Bud's beard you'll be smiling too!

Once at the monument, everyone relaxed, refreshed, and took a trip to the top of the

monument. Then the second part of the ride took us via a scenic route to Sagemont Church where we ate lunch, listened to praise and worship by the Aric Harding Band, and held the door prize draw and raffle. Everyone received a door prize ticket, and we gave an extra ticket to dads in honor of Father's day. Four people were pleased to receive the $25 Harley-Davidson gift cards for door prizes, and Eric Wold was the proud winner of the Harley Davidson mirror raffle.

It was a strange feeling standing up there in sweaty bike clothes with a dusty face talking to an audience about the ministry of Act of Life, but nobody, including myself, cared about formalities. It was an informal gathering of good people, who were interested in hearing about how lives can be saved through advancing adoption awareness.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the ride - I know I did! As the pack sweeper staying at the back of the pack, I got to see the sea of bikes in front of me. I don't mind saying I had a big grin on my face for much of the ride. :)

Act of Life would like to thank...

... San Jacinto Harley-Davidson for their excellent support, including facilitation, and the donation of gear. A special mention goes to Carrie Graves of Stubbs Harley-Davidson for the great communication and assistance with getting this off the ground. Also to John Skipper who supported us on the day of the ride.

... Sagemont Church, who have continually supported Act of Life, and in this instance made a special exception in opening the Youth Building for our use on a day that it should have been closed.

... Aric Harding, Chris and Jeremey who volunteered their time to bring us praise and worship.

... Bud LeCompte, for planning and mapping out the excellent route, and leading the pack on the ride.

... Tom Ehman, for going the extra mile (or 20, at least!) to provide water and snacks for the pack at all stops and helping with registration.

... All of the riders and passengers who participated. Your participation brought financial support to the ministry of Act of Life, a vital element that allows us to continue to be effective.

I sign off, tired, still grubby, but with warm fuzzies about the excellent day that we had.

Praising God, looking forward to my bed,

Lynda