Go Beyond

07 October 2009 | Kampala, Uganda

This morning our team visited The Comforter’s Center in Kampala. Kingsland partnered with Life International to start this pregnancy help center in the heart of Kampala. I am always excited to introduce our Kingsland teams to Veronica Nakyewe and the compassionate staff at the center. Last Fall, Kingsland purchased the building that the center had been renting. And, our Kingsland mission teams always come bearing gifts for the center’s use – things like pregnancy tests, newborn baby outfits, quilts and receiving blankets, and an assortment of other things. This afternoon I spoke to a couple of hundred pastors and church leaders about the purpose of The Comforter’s Center and urged them to support this life-saving ministry. Here is a summary of what I shared with them.

C = Christ-Centered | The Comforter’s Center is a Christ-centered ministry that is committed to the promotion and preservation of life. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and came that we might have abundant and meaningful life (John 10:10). Jesus never took a life but instead gave His life for us. Jesus taught that the enemy is all about death and looks for every opportunity “to steal, kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). His destructive agenda extends to the womb.

O = Obedient | The Comforter’s Center is obedient to the command of Christ. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). The Father sent Jesus on a rescue mission to a dangerous place. We too must be willing to rescue those in danger and in dangerous places, including the womb.

Mother Teresa understood what it means to be on a rescue mission. She said: “Unborn children are among the poorest of the poor. They are so close to God. I always ask doctors at hospitals in India never to kill an unborn child. If there is no one who wants it, I’ll take it. I see God in the eyes of every child – every unwanted child is welcomed by us. … You know, people worry all the time about innocent children being killed in wars, and they try to prevent this. But what hope is there in stopping it if mothers kill their own children? Every life is precious to God, whatever the circumstances.”

M = Mandate | The Comforter’s Center has a mandate to speak for those who have no voice. Proverbs 31:8 states, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” Children in the womb have no voice. They cannot speak up for themselves. They cannot say to an abortion-minded mother, “Please let me live. Please do not harm me. Please do not allow me to be torn limb from limb.” We must speak for the unborn.

God has always been concerned about the weak and vulnerable in society. A child in the womb is more vulnerable and at risk than any other members of society. If I am in danger, I can take steps to seek safety. I can move to a more secure home or neighborhood or community. However, if a child in the womb is in danger, it cannot move to a safer womb. We must therefore speak on behalf of the unborn.

F = Families | The Comforter’s Center recognizes that families are important. Psalm 127:1 declares, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders’ labor in vain.” God loves the home so much that He is willing to roll up His divine sleeves to help families build strong and safe homes where children can be nurtured to love and serve Him. Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the home. The Comforter’s Center helps families in crisis to seek God and to make choices that honor Him.

O = Orientation | The Comforter’s Center offers orientation and guidance to those facing unplanned pregnancies. People in crisis can easily make wrong choices or turn in wrong directions. Young women with unplanned pregnancies are easily confused about what to do and where to turn. The Comforter’s Center exists to orient women toward life. When women come to the center, the staff embraces them with unconditional love and encouragement.

R = Rely | The Comforter’s Center relies on God to work through His people. Veronica and her staff cannot do their life-saving work alone. They need the cooperation and assistance of local churches and churches like Kingsland. They need resources to carry out their rescue missions. We must hold the ropes for The Comforter’s Center even as those who helped Paul escape from Damascus held the ropes for him (see Acts 9:25).

T = Tell | The Comforter’s Center faithfully tells the story of God’s love to every person who walks through their doors. To date, more than 800 women and family members and friends of abortion-minded women have placed their faith in Christ because of the ministry of The Comforter’s Center. God is using The Comforter’s Center to help people find new life in Christ and babies in the womb to have an opportunity to live.