Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/89

Contributor - Peggy Humby

Title - Crisis Pregnancy

Topic - Niagara Life Center- Teenage Pregnancy

You are sixteen - pregnant and don't know where to turn. You cannot tell your parents, or your friends and although there is a counsellor at school, you are afraid to see her. What can you do?

In this era, the above scenario is not uncommon. Many of these young women find comfort and consolation by contacting a pregnancy crisis center. These centers are places where young women can go in strict confidentiality. They are counselled and all options are discussed. They are shown a video about fetal development and pregnancies, methods and risks of abortion and the availability of alternatives.

One such center is the Niagara Life Center. A Christian Counselling Center, Niagara Life counsels young women who are pregnant and have nowhere to turn. After initial counselling,

the young woman works with a trained volunteer who seeks to guide her client to come to "a decision which respects the will of God and which recognizes the sacredness both of her own life and the life within her."

In order for the program to work, centres for referral are needed where these clients can receive counselling. Within our denomination in Ontario, we have such a centre. It is located at Christ Community Church in Welland, Ontario, and is totally supported by the Church. This means the payment of a full-time Social Worker who, in turn, trains the volunteers needed for the program.

Mrs Debbie Logtenberg, is married with two children, a girl age ten and a boy age eight. She is a qualified Social worker and a member of Christ Community Church.

After graduation, Debbie began looking for work, and learned that the Church was considering a program which would need a full-time Social Worker. She was offered the position and had to chose between it and another job offer that came her way at the same time. Debbie says she felt led to accept the position at Christ Community Church and is glad she did.

Part of Debbie's job is to speak to young expectant girls referred from the Niagara Life Center, and to pair these girls up with a volunteer counsellor. The counsellor guides the young woman through her pregnancy and stays in touch with her for a period of time after the baby is born. Debbie meets with the volunteers weekly and reports back to the Life Center. She also meets regularly with the girls, before, during and after their pregnancy.

Sometimes arrangements are made for these young women to live in "shepherding homes". These are homes where the family readily accepts the pregnant teen and allows her time to sort out her feelings and make decisions within a loving family environment. There is also a home where the girls can live during their pregnancy and for a few weeks after the baby is born. In all cases the teens are counselled by Christian workers.

Debbie is very active in the area schools as well. With the approval of the Board of Education, Debbie meets regularly with a group of "high-risk" teens - or teens who are most likely to get into trouble. In many cases Debbie is their last hope of staying in school. In this capacity she works in conjunction with the Family Children's Services and the REACH Program.

Debbie Logtenberg is a fine example of a Christian Counsellor who, along with her Church, Christ Community Church, in Welland, takes seriously the challenge in Matthew 25:31-46, to reach out to those in distress with acts of mercy and compassion.

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