Choose Life of North Alabama

Choose Life of North Alabama

1. HISTORY AND MISSION OF MINISTRY

In 1980, seven people gathered in a living room in Huntsville with a single purpose: to offer life-affirming choices, education and compassionate counsel to those facing pregnancy-related decisions. Their concern led to a 24-hour telephone hotline in the home of one passionate volunteer. That hotline quickly grew into a small volunteer staff with a tiny office, and eventually a ministry with over 100 volunteers and a small part-time staff. In 2008, emboldened by a vision of Huntsville as “a city for life,” the organization purchased and renovated a facility in the heart of Huntsville’s medical district. Today, the ministry serves over 4,500 client appointments each year offering services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, mentoring, adoption advocacy, abstinence education, and post-abortion counseling. A mobile ministry takes these services to women that may not otherwise come to the center. Choose Life receives no government funding; instead, all services are provided free of charge in thanks to donations received from area churches, individuals and businesses. That first meeting of seven concerned people in 1980 birthed an idea that has grown into one of the busiest crisis pregnancy centers in the nation—Choose Life of North Alabama.

2. HOW DO YOU SEE JESUS AT WORK HERE?

Each day, Christian brothers and sisters from churches all over our city, join together to be the hands and feet of Jesus for our clients. We share the Good News of Jesus no matter the reason a person comes through our door. At the pregnancy test, we introduce clients to Jesus as Savior and Provider. In our ultrasound ministry, we introduce them to God as Creator. As we mentor clients through our Life Choices ministry, God is revealed as Counselor. Healing Hands is our post-abortive recovery ministry, where God our Healer is shared with women who accept the forgiveness that God has provided through His work on the cross. We also share Jesus with each other. We get to be witnesses of the saving of lives — physically and eternally each and every day.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS?

Our top need is always volunteer lay counselors and receptionists that will commit to one four-hour shift each week. We provide thorough training for our volunteers prior to their serving in the center. We always have need for baby care items such as diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs, hats, socks, sleepers, receiving blankets, onesies, etc. Donations make it possible for us to offer all of our services for free. Every penny counts.

4. HOW COULD SOMEONE GET INVOLVED?

Volunteers may serve once a week or incidentally as their schedule allows. While counselors are asked to serve a four hour shift each week, other opportunities are available for those that cannot commit to a weekly obligation. Examples are organizing our layette closet, being a church liaison, entering data into our database, assisting with fundraising events, making copies of literature, helping with bulk mailings, cleaning our building, serving on the maintenance team for our Mobile ministry, or helping with seasonal landscaping. Those wishing to serve regularly in our center need to complete our Volunteer Application Packet. These may be requested by contacting our center. Once the application is completed, an informal interview may be scheduled where the applicant meets with us and tours the center. It is important to us that volunteers serve where they are gifted. We want this to be a rewarding experience for those giving of their time to this ministry.

Tags: Choose Life, faith, Huntsville, ministry, Our City On A Hill