Embrace Grace is going non-profit! We're raising money for all the legal/accounting/filing fees but God is already doing His awesome thing because groups and friends are coming out of the woodwork to help! With donations that come in, we want to be able to help the girls on a bigger scale ... even go into the high schools. Also, we want to implement programs that other churches can start Embrace Grace programs across the nation. There are girls everywhere that need help and we want to raise awareness and talk to churches about how they can help girls in their own communities. It's still just a fresh spark of an idea that God keeps building on and building on. We will still continue to be under the covering and guidance of Gateway. We'll even have 1 or 2 pastors on the board. God has confirmed to move forward with this in more ways than 1 so we are taking a step of faith and going for it.
We're excited to see what God has in store for his princesses. He loves these ladies so much - we do not want these little mommas to have to walk this road out alone and honor them for choosing LIFE.
Please be praying for Embrace Grace and we'll keep you posted!
Can't say enough how much I love this ministry that God 'birthed' in you gals! The hope and healing that the Lord imparts to these young moms through you all is such a beautiful thing. I'll be praying for Embrace Grace to go nation wide - and quickly!
Posted by: Michele Smith | October 15, 2010 at 07:57 PM
I think Embrace Grace, should strictly be for single women. No girls that are engaged, that just isn't fair, because their practically married. And it should only be for girls 16 - 25, with no previous children. :)
Posted by: N/A | October 16, 2010 at 08:03 AM
Thanks for your comment! We actually take each girl as case-by-case ... and pray over what girls come to the class. We try not to be legalistic with rules and be more spirit-led. We have had girls that have had prior kids and come to EG at such a place of brokenness and shame and finish the class with more confidence and a better realization of their value and worth. And we have a girl that 15 this semester that is getting a lot out of class as well as having 30 year olds that love it.
Girls that are engaged, still got pregnant out of wed-lock and still going through feelings of shame whether they are engaged or not. A lot of them even get engaged thinking it's the "right" thing to do when really, it wasn't who God had for them at all. And as they draw near to God through the class, they start to have a better understanding if they are with the right person or not. Even if they get married in the middle of the semester, we do not punish them by kicking them out. We celebrate a new season with them.
If your referring to the "not fair" part because of the baby shower, please know that the "Embrace Grace" class is SO SO SO much more than a baby shower. This is a class on grace and Gods love and showing them their value and worth - its a teaching that hopefully they will forever hold in their hearts no matter what they go through in their life.
The baby shower is just an extra fun day to celebrate a new life. The whole point of the class is to show the girls how much God loves them. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you've done, what your background is, He loves them and you. He's not legalistic.
After all, the class is called "EMBRACE GRACE" :-) It's not fair that I'm alive right now, it's not fair that God sent His only son to die for ME, a selfish sinner, but He did. He loved me that much. If we can convey even just an ounce of that kind of love to the girls, then we did what we set out to do.
Posted by: amy ford | October 16, 2010 at 10:53 AM
I agree with you whole-heartedly, Amy! It's a marvelous thing you are doing! God's Grace does not discriminate! :)
Posted by: Lacey Edmondson | January 06, 2011 at 08:19 AM