2008 Schedule
8:00am – 8:30am Registration and Worship
8:30am – 9:00am Opening Comments
9:00am – 10:00am Mary Comm
10:00am – 10:15am Testimony
10:15am – 10:30am Break
10:30am – 11:30am Sharon Pearce
11:30am – 12:30pm Breakout Session A
12:30pm – 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm Break out Session B
2:00pm – 2:15pm Break
2:15pm – 3:15pm Carrie Guy
3:15pm – 3:30pm Closing Remarks
Mary Comm is the Founder and Director of In Our Midst Ministries and A Safe Place Abortion Recovery Center. In Our Midst was established to raise awareness about and to cultivate compassion fo those who have been wounded by abortion, and to assist and equip the Church and parachurch organizations to develop in-house abortion recovery ministries. A Safe Place was established to provide a safe, confidential environment in which anyone wounded by abortion can begin or continue their healing process.
Mary is the author of Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion and Building Bridges: Paving the Way for Partnering with the Churches in Your Area. She became involved in abortion recovery in 1996, when she founded SafeHaven Ministries, Inc., an online peer-support site for the abortion-minded and post-abortive. Mary has been featrued on various television and radio programs, including Focus on the Family's Family News in Focus and Moody Radio's Midday Connection. Mary resides in Loveland, Colorado, with her husband and two children.
Sharon Pearce, a native of San Diego, serves as Director of Silent Voices - an abortion alternative ministry. Besides her duties with Silent Voices, Sharon has worked extensively on pro-life legislation, written monthly columns for two Christian newspapers in San Diego (The Southern California Christian Times, and Good News, Etc.) and gives and attends pro-life training workshops throughout the year. In November 1984, Sharon attended a White House briefing on the abortion issue. In 1985 she served as San Diego coordinator for "The Children's Fund," a California initiative to halt the public funding of abortion. Sharon has also been a frequent guest on the "Grapevine," and “Save-a-Friend” radio programs of KPRZ.
Since 1987, Sharon has been active in leading post abortion syndrome workshops in San Diego and across the country for women who have already suffered the trauma of abortion. She has also traveled to Israel, Eastern Europe, Africa and India, leading pro-life/post abortion training seminars and workshops.
Carrie Guy is a co-host on ProlifePodcast.net and youth pastor at First Christian Church. She is the co-founder and former director of The IRMA Network, a post-abortion outreach of Tulare-Kings Right to Life. Carrie is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in Speech Communications. She moved to Visalia in 2003 following her work with Doulos Ministries, an outreach to troubled teens in Colorado.
Her passion for post-abortive men and women transpired through her own history with abortion and the changing, healing power of Jesus in her life. Through The IRMA Network, Carrie had many opportunities to share with men and women of all ages the importance of purity, the devastation of abortion, and the hope she discovered in her own life.
Option 1
Building Bridges Mary Comm
Bridging the Gap with Other Believers on Behalf of the Abortion Affected
Come discuss common roadblocks and pitfalls encounrtered working with pastors and other ministry leaders concerning the abortion affected. Discover what we can do to help alleviate the fears and concerns of these leaders and how to help them establish a safe environment within their church or organization for necessary healing.
Option 2
What Is PAS Sharon Pearce
To understand Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS), one must first understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Sharon will open up for you what post-abortive men & women face and outline the symptoms associated with this syndrome.
Option 3
Pastor's Point of View Pastor Jon Venema
This session will offer a forum for Pastors to discuss the challenges they face in dealing with this issue in the church and create solutions that can positively impact their congregation or parish.
Option 4
A Post-Abortive Perspective The IRMA Network Panel
In this session, you will get to hear from men and women who have chosen abortion and now walk in healing and freedom.
Option 5
Father, I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up Brenda Fernandes
Is Our Father's Forgiveness enough to carry us through life's trials and failures?
Can God really forgive me for ____? Yes, He can. Forgiveness isn't what we feel; it's what we are called to do to be obedient to God's Word. God would never tell us to do something He hasn't equipped us to do. So get your armor ready; it's time to go to battle.
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Option 1
Being the Blessing Mary Comm
Making the Most of Who God Has Made You...For His Glory & for the Good of Others
God has blessed each of us with unique gifts, talents and abilities, which, when coupled with the experiences Has brought us through, becomes the vehicle through which He desires to bless others. This workshop will help you to pinpoint, define and embrace the purpose God has for you and empower you to become the blessing for others.Option 2
Overcoming Defense Mechanisms Sharon Pearce
Fear and shame keep men and women from admitting or receiving the help they need to deal with the hurtt in their past abortion. Sharion will walk you through the tools to helping people overcome their defenses.
Option 3
Purely Political? Jonathan Kellar
If you've ever wondered how achurch can move past the politics of abortion to minister to the people of a congregation or parish, this session is for you. Discover what the law says and how you can avoid debate while truly reaching people.
Option 4
Spiritual Therapy for Wounded Warriors Brenda Fernandes
Have you ever felt like a big disappointment to God? Our churches are filled with people who feel this way. Satan has gained ground in the battle for our souls. God's weary warriors need to take back what the enemy has stolen. We need to know the truth, because it's what sets us free!
Option 5
Nine Tips for Talking to Someone Considering An Abortion Carrie Guy
Ever wondered what to say to someone considering an abortion? Come learn nine tips that can help you persuade people to choose life for both their baby and themselves.