Faith Outreach Center in Rochester is offering a support program for single pregnant women called Embrace Grace starting Monday, Nov. 6. It’s led by from left Cheri Penix, Alyssa Campbell and Ramona Gebert. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — A support program for single, pregnant women, offered by Faith Outreach Church in Rochester, is “pro-love” said its organizers.

“As a Bible-teaching church, we’re definitely a pro-life church (and) pro-life is how we vote, but pro-love is how we want to respond as far as this program is concerned,” said program Administrator Alyssa Campbell. “So the program is basically a way for the church to respond to unmarried pregnant women and be able to provide the spiritual, emotional and physical support that they need.”

The program, Embrace Grace, starts Monday, Nov. 6, at the church, 1125 E. Ninth St. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go “an hour and a half to two hours,” each Monday for 10-12 weeks, said Campbell.

Though she noted, “it’s a brand-new program” for Faith Outreach, Embrace Grace was started by Amy Ford and Salina Duffy in 2008 and is now in churches across the U.S. and internationally.

Campbell will be assisted by facilitators Cheri Penix and Ramona Gebert. Sessions will include reflection time, special speakers and crafts, among other things.

It’s free to the women participating, and attendees don’t have be from Fulton County or go to Faith Outreach Center. Women also can already have children, with the church able to offer child care, if needed, for the program by vetted workers.

At the last session, the program culminates in a group baby shower for participants, with women able to pick out items such as strollers to receive.

The program’s leaders mentioned having Embrace Grace at Faith Outreach Center was in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization declaring the Constitution doesn’t provide for abortion rights.

“So many women faced with an unplanned pregnancy turned to abortion because of fear,” said Gebert. “How is this going to affect my life? What am I going to do? I’ve not ready to be a mom.”

“We want to take away that fear. You don’t have to be afraid. We’re here for you,” she continued. “You’re not going to face this alone. Whatever obstacles you may be facing, we’ll help get you through those things.”

Gebert added the program is nonjudgmental, mentioning “just because we’re in church doesn’t mean we’ve led perfect lives either.”

“There’s no one here who is qualified to throw any stones, and I think that’s a very important part of reaching out to these ladies that we call them ‘brave girls,’” she said. “To know that the church is not about condemning you. The church is supposed to be about loving you.”

Gebert also noted they’re not forcing women to convert to Christianity through Embrace Grace.

“Our job as believers is to introduce people to Jesus, but we recognize fully that you cannot force people to have a relationship (with him). So this is an outreach,” she said. “This is out of love and concern, and if people come to Jesus, we will be doing the happy dance, but it’s not a coercive situation in any way, shape or form.”

Women may sign up by reaching out to the church at (574) 223-7631 or contacting Campbell at (574) 835-6699.

As the church itself is funding the program, outside financial help from people is appreciated. Donations may be made by contacting the church.