PARTNER BRIEF
Summer 2024
resource
HEALTH
As a little girl, I loved listening to music with my dad. He found Jesus during the Jesus movement of the early 1970s and was a recovering hippie, so he would share his love for bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, and many more.
One of our favorite songs was “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (also known as “To Everything There Is a Season”) by the Byrds.
Just like the song, the words of Solomon still ring true today. “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal...” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3a). And on and on the chapter goes.
It’s a season of change here at Resource Health. As I’m sure you’ve heard, our beloved Kathy Edwards is moving into retirement, and her season of leading this precious ministry is coming to a close. Words cannot express the gratitude so many staff, clients, and partners feel for Kathy’s 30 years of leadership. She said “yes” to the hard things, “no” to compromise, and “amen” to the promises of the Lord time and time again. Her legacy will forever be etched into the DNA of Resource Health, and we’re beyond grateful.
It’s my honor to serve as Interim CEO during this season while our Board of Directors conducts a search for Resource Health’s new leader. While we see and feel the change all around us, we know that we have the eternal constant in Jesus Christ. He is unmoved and unshaken even when all around is shaking (Psalm 91:7; Hebrews 12:27). And we keep our eyes on Him, the Author and Perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Even with all the change around us, our mission remains the same. Our staff is steadfast and determined to continue to fulfill our vision of being the first choice for those in our communities who are at risk of choosing abortion. We exist to offer compassionate care to men and women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Our focus is holistically empowering the family unit through advocacy, education, mentoring, and discipleship. Our goal is to positively impact families now and for generations to come.
Amid uncertain times, it can be tempting to cower in fear. But today, we remember the words of Joan of Arc. “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.”
We continue to be innovative and strategic about how we reach the most vulnerable to abortion in Kansas City. We continue to serve the clients who walk through our door with compassionate care. We will continue to be Jesus’ hands and feet and share the Gospel’s power with all we encounter.
Alissa Gross
Interim CEO
Never underestimate the presence of the Lord in our workspaces at Resource Health.
We see many miraculous things. Among them are the demeanor and attitude changes of clients who walk in our doors. Although they are drenched in the polarized and godless world in which we live, they seem to quickly feel the difference in their surroundings.
We’re often asked, “What is so different about this place?”
Many of the women and men we care for are initially considering abortion as an option for the dilemma of their unexpected pregnancy—some list termination among their options, while others say it is their only choice.
kayla's
STORY
The first time Kayla walked into our center, she seemed visibly agitated. All she could think about was getting out of her situation by having an abortion. Initially, she was crying and having trouble verbalizing her fears and her story.
But as she relaxed in her peaceful surroundings and felt trust between herself and our staff, she revealed her confusion and fears.
Although she was in a same-sex relationship, she had begun sleeping with a man after her partner moved out of state. An ultrasound showed that she was farther along in pregnancy than she thought. She had been cheating on her partner and was fearful of being a parent.
She decided she needed time to think but returned for a second ultrasound. That vital decision led her to have the baby and enroll in our Mom Strong™ program. Although still showing signs of fear and struggling to make decisions, she allowed us to love, encourage, and pray with her.
She realized she had to play the leading role in her success. Kayla worked hard and graduated from Mom Strong™, and her baby was born just a few weeks ago.
When she visited recently, she was a new woman—filled with joy and confidence. Kayla was excited to enroll in Resource Health’s mentoring program to continue the work of taking ownership of her life. She is pursuing counseling to help with some of her past trauma and told us that she sees God’s hand in her life and His design for motherhood.
It never gets old—a life saved, and a life changed.
While you may not have met Kayla, you’ve invested in her life at a crucial time. Your partnership allows us to walk with her and so many others like her, confused and directionless. Together, we give focus, direction, and meaning to individuals who have lost their way. They begin to see God in their journey as we help them learn who they are to Him.
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Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.
— Matthew 25:40
“What do clients experience at Resource Health?”
Staff Highlight
Carla Johnson
Client Advocate
I have been serving in the pregnancy resource field for over 20 years. In 1970, I was a young pregnant girl with no support. Everyone around me was telling me to abort my baby, but I knew in my heart that it was wrong, so I chose not to.
Now, it is important to me to give hope, support, education, and a smile to the clients who walk through our doors to get the help and support they need.
I began serving with Resource Health in 2016. My favorite part of the job is getting to know our clients—their backgrounds and needs—and establishing a safe space for them to share their hearts. I love seeing that look on a client’s face when she realizes, “I can do this.” Being a part of encouraging and empowering women and their families is incredibly valuable to me.
When young women and men experiencing unexpected pregnancies walk through our doors, Resource Health offers practical support through a holistic approach to provide everything the parents and baby need. Being a part of appointments where both mothers and fathers get their first glimpse of their child through ultrasound is something I look forward to doing during my workday. I love that I can talk about God being a part of a client’s life and offer hope through Christ.
Because of our donors and partners, we can offer our clients incredible support, love, and hope. I hear our clients comment on how Resource Health doesn’t look or feel like other places they’ve been and that they feel safe in our centers.
One of my favorite sayings is, “This is who we are, and this is what we do.” I was called to this ministry field many years ago, and I’m continually blessed and honored to work for Resource Health.