No one ever expected Candy Gibbs to be an unmarried pregnant teen. She grew up in the church where her father was a youth minister. Then, like 3,300 young women all across America today, she awoke to find herself being forced to conclude that abortion was the only solution to her “problem.” Her father was pressuring her to do what they had previously thought was unthinkable.
And so, with her dad’s help, at 18, Candy made the devastating choice of abortion.
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Whenever the subject of abortion is raised, people tend to migrate into opposing political camps described with unhelpful labels. As we detailed in this column a few weeks ago, to be pro-life is so much more than being “anti-abortion.” For the vast majority of women and men who are “pro-choice” – abortion is, at best, a regrettable and tragic choice – not a woman’s “right” to be celebrated. Worst of all, there is a large, well-funded industry that profits from abortion. This industry labels itself “pro-choice,” but exists primarily by convincing women that they have no choice. Abortions in our inner cities are at epidemic proportions. In many cities, abortions outnumber live births. Sadly, Hispanic and African-American women make up only 25 percent of the total female population, but account for 52 percent of abortions.
Thankfully, there is now a vast and rapidly growing movement that helps women have a choice – regardless of income level or social status. At no cost to the women they serve, they provide women with the information and resources they need to make an informed choice about their babies. As a consequence, the rate of abortion in America is steadily declining. This movement is not taking place on picket lines, but in the privacy of Crisis Pregnancy Centers all across America. The largest organization supporting these wonderful groups is called Care Net. In the words of TIME magazine, these pregnancy centers are the “kind, calm, nonjudgmental” face of the pro-life movement.
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion information, parenting classes, and material assistance are all offered without charge to empower women to choose life. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood, 3 out of 4 women have an abortion because they can’t afford a child or because a child would interfere with work, school, or other responsibilities. Care Net offers the support women need to make a different choice. There are at least 6 of their centers in the Greater Baltimore area.
Care Net is an unapologetically Christian ministry whose purpose is “to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ in both word and deed.” They not only provide women with the resources needed to “choose life” – but, in a non-judgmental way, help those struggling with past abortions to find healing and forgiveness. On an average day, 346 women will make the decision to carry their pregnancy to term because of the support Care Net pregnancy centers provide.
About ten years ago, Candy Gibbs and her dad made their way into a Care Net pregnancy center. It was too late to save her child, but not to late to overcome the devastation, grief and regret caused by her abortion. They found God’s healing grace and unfailing love. Today, Candy Gibbs directs a Care Net Pregnancy Center in her home state of Texas and her dad coordinates a post-abortion ministry for men. The center teaches parenting, including topics about how to speak to your child about sex.
They will be sharing their story this Thursday evening at the BWI Marriott at a fund raising dinner between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to support the Laurel Pregnancy Center.
