Post-abortion ministry reaching out to Missourians
By Bob Baysinger
Managing Editor
March 2, 2004
OAK GROVE – Post abortion healing has moved from just an idea to reality in the life of Scherrie Stanley, a member of First Baptist Church , Oak Grove.
Stanley, a victim of the abortion industry when she was a young woman, said she felt emptiness and battled with psychological and emotional difficulties following the procedure. (See The Pathway, Aug. 26, 2003 ) After battling through the anxieties, Stanley began thinking about how she could use her experience to help other women.
Rachel’s Vineyard will begin with a retreat May 21-23 at the Olive Brand Inn in Independence . The session will be for both women and men who have struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion.
“The retreat is a very specific process designed to help them experience the mercy and compassion of God," Stanley said. “It is also a process to surface and release repressed feelings of loss, anger, shame, guilt and grief.
“There will be many exercises to help participants grieve the loss of their unborn child and to receive and accept God’s forgiveness."
Stanley said so many blessings – like the upcoming Rachael’s Vineyard retreat — have been obvious in recent months as the Garden of Grace Ministries has been organized.
“We have watched as the Lord has put together a unique team of professionals," she said. “Our staff consists of a licensed therapist, pastors, a facilitator/coordinator, five counselors, a music coordinator, special music director, technical director and two assistants."
Several Missouri Baptists are involved in Garden of Grace Ministries, including: Phil Scott, Broadway Baptist Church, Oak Grove; Randy Messer, Dave Stanley, Linda VanSickle, Jim Dent and Cindy Bickel, all from First Baptist, Oak Grove; Dawn Embrey, First Baptist, Raytown; and Heather Allen, Scott Allen and Kim Herrell, all from Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Independence.
Stanley said Garden of Grace will office three services:
· Healing in the form of three-day weekend retreats and 15-week group session;*
· Educational in the form of providing speakers on the effects of abortion on women and men and purity and abstinence classes; and
· Support in the form of an aftercare support group, Bible study and a 24-hour help line.
“We have been invited to speak at many churches," Stanley said. “We have found love and support at every stop. So many people suffer from this terrible trauma. Abortion often leaves women and men feeling separated from God. Many suffer emotional, psychological and spiritual side effects. These are manifested in long-term depression, eating disorders, isolation and mistrust of others, a feeling unworthiness and thoughts of suicide."
Stanley said a complete list of post-abortion symptoms is available on the new ministry’s Web site. The address is: www.rachelsvineyard-kc.org
Stanley said one of the most-asked questions she responds to deals with the need for post-abortion healing among Christians.
“I share some statistics from a study found in the book, Answering the Call," she said. “The book states that one in six Christian women between the ages of 15 and 80 have had an abortion and that Christians abort 250,000 babies annually. This represents a lot of walking wounded."
More information about the retreat of Garden of Grace Ministries can be obtained by sending an email to Stanley at scherrie@rachelsvineyard-kc.org