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Ministry Spotlight: An Even Place
by Jenny Foster
"My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord."
Psalm 26:12 (NKJV)
We are pleased to feature one of our vision partners, a ministry called An Even Place. This Christian non-profit provides abortion recovery groups for women and men seeking emotional and spiritual healing. By the grace of God and through the presence of the Holy Spirit, this powerful work happens through biblical resources, Bible study, and emotional support offered within a compassionate, Christ-centered community. The mission of An Even Place is to help the broken find new life in Christ and turn their healing into hope for others. We pray this article inspires and encourages your heart with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ on display through a ministry that helps heal broken hearts while giving glory to God.
The statistics surrounding abortion and sexual abuse are sobering.
In the United States alone, an abortion occurs every 34 seconds. This equates to more than 106 abortions per hour and more than 2,544 abortions per day. Since 1973, more than 66 million abortions have taken place in the United States, according to widely cited estimates.¹ One in four women (24%) will have an abortion before the age of 45.² These statistics are significant because they represent a staggering number of our neighbors, friends, family members, and fellow churchgoers who may be carrying trauma and pain that are rarely discussed. Sixty-five percent of these women report experiencing multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that they attribute to their abortions.
Those who work in the mission field of abortion healing often see a correlation with past sexual abuse. The statistics surrounding sexual assault, abuse, and misconduct are also heartbreaking. One in five women in the U.S. experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. One in four undergraduate women have experienced sexual assault or misconduct at thirty-three of the nation's major universities. One in four girls will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.³
How are virtual classes effective?
Leadership at An Even Place is often asked, "How can virtual classes be the same as in-person groups?" The short answer is that they are not the same, but virtual classes can be just as powerful. Because our classes are submitted to God's authority and incorporate sound biblical principles, the Lord faithfully shows up for every group. The Holy Spirit is not limited by technology such as Zoom, and leaders consistently see class participants connect, bond, and heal before our very eyes. The advantages of online groups far outweigh the disadvantages. They let us reach more people, including those living outside the country, who are homebound, who are traveling, who aren't yet ready to share their stories face-to-face, or who feel safer participating from the comfort of their own home. The ministry keeps class sizes small to foster deep connections and give everyone ample time to share.
Real testimonies
Here is what some participants have shared after completing a recovery class with An Even Place.
"It was a sacred ground of trust where grace and mercy were abundantly available for the taking, and Jesus was the sweet source of comfort."
"Laughter, tears, and every emotion in between were present, but the most precious treasure waiting for me was the presence of His sweet peace and to just be still at the Lord's feet. The investment that others made in me and that I made in myself will reap eternal rewards!"
"In the first 15 minutes of the first session, all my questions and walls seemed to strangely fade, as I was welcomed into one of the most powerful examples of God's love and grace in action. I felt that I was accepted and loved not just by the amazing group of ladies in my cohort, but by the leaders themselves." N.C.
What services are offered by An Even Place?
- 24/7 H3helpline for crisis calls, support, and referrals
- Online virtual classes for women
- Virtual healing groups for men
- Monthly drop-in classes (On Even Ground)
- Self-paced online healing curriculum (The Healing Corner)
- Sexual abuse and brokenness online classes (Unbound)
- Your Healing Place podcast
- Biblical discipleship and mentoring for future leaders
H3helpline (24/7)
The H3helpline is a national abortion recovery helpline. If someone calls this number, they will be greeted by a trained phone coach who is a real person who can offer help, hope, and healing resources for the pain of abortion. https://h3helpline.org/
Online weekly classes for women and men
An Even Place uses Forgiven and Set Free by Linda Cochrane as the curriculum for an 8–9-week class for women. Men's groups use Reclaiming Fatherhood: A Bible Study for Men Seeking Healing for Abortion by Jill Marquis, Guy Condon, and David Hazard over the course of 7 weeks. An Even Place for men helps them face their abortion experience, process grief and loss, and rediscover the purpose God designed for them.
On Even Ground (monthly drop-in classes)
On Even Ground is a monthly, no-commitment support group held the first Thursday of each month. This virtual group is a place for any woman hurt by abortion, whether they have or have not completed an abortion recovery healing group. Attendance is optional and by invitation, so the participant list varies each time. Guests are encouraged, but not required, to discuss areas of struggle in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment. Many people find these meetings helpful while waiting for a class to begin or to stay connected after completing a recovery class. https://anevenplace.com/interest-form/
The Healing Corner (self-paced)
A free, self-paced online course made up of seven modules that meet people where they're at in the healing process through worship, scripture, teaching, activities, podcasts, and more. This is an excellent resource for those waiting for an upcoming class, seeking additional healing after completing a class, or not yet ready to commit. https://anevenplace.com/healing-corner/
Unbound
In this powerful 13-week class, participants work through deep healing for sexual brokenness, whether it was their choice or was chosen for them. Unbound dares to speak the truth about the shame, unforgiveness, and anger surrounding sexual brokenness that wreaks havoc on emotional and spiritual health. https://anevenplace.com/healing-groups/
Your Healing Place podcast
A vibrant venue to hear from women and men who have walked the path from brokenness to healing as they address common concerns surrounding the intersection of abortion healing and faith. https://anevenplace.com/podcast/
Impact Report
To date, An Even Place has helped over 176 men and women find healing. Many participants who complete healing classes go on to serve as group leaders, walking alongside others in their recovery. Over 9,225 phone calls and texts have been answered through the H3helpline. The Your Healing Place podcast has reached thousands of hurting hearts, and over 100 group leaders and coaches have been trained and equipped to help others find hope.
Additional resources and information
An Even Place partners with many ministries and resources to help people find the best fit for their level of healing and unique needs. https://anevenplace.com/resources/
If you or someone you know is struggling with pain from a past abortion or feels stuck in their healing process, please contact An Even Place at our website or by completing this short interest form. https://anevenplace.com/interest-form/
Sources:
Jenny Foster is passionate about helping people move from adversity to inspiration. The Lord called her to write a book and create an abortion healing ministry. She enjoys traveling, reading, mentoring, creative writing, and Bible journaling. You can reach Jenny at jennyfoster.org or author@jennyfoster.org.
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