Haag served as the organization’s president and CEO for the past 18 years. Under his leadership, One More Child went from serving 3,351 children and individuals in 2007 to 250,259 in 2023. While One More Child’s global headquarters is based in Lakeland, its services have expanded nationally and globally, serving foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families and survivors of human trafficking. In his new role, Haag will focus primarily on expanding the organization’s Foundation, which was established in 2011, to directly support the mission of One More Child.

Robert has held leadership roles at One More Child over a 15-year span, serving as COO for the past four years. He was instrumental in developing the organization’s strategic vision and carrying out its national expansion efforts in North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Texas.

In his new role, Robert will continue to lead One More Child’s growth and expansion while overseeing capital projects underway in Lakeland, Tampa, Jacksonville and Sarasota.

Acknowledging these leadership transitions, Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer for the Florida Baptist Convention, said, “One More Child continues to be a major force for Florida Baptists in bringing hope and wholeness to children and families. Michele and I have been personally blessed by our friendship with Jerry and Christi Haag over the years. Dr. Haag’s transformational leadership at One More Child has made a huge contribution to God’s kingdom and Florida Baptists. I know he will continue to serve with distinction as he transitions to the One More Child Foundation.

“I am equally convinced that Stephen Robert will bring stellar and stalwart leadership as the CEO of One More Child. I know there are great days ahead for One More Child and the precious families this ministry serves.”

One More Child Board Chair Spike Hogan agrees, saying, “One More Child has undergone tremendous growth under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Haag. When I joined the board, we were just a Florida-focused ministry. Today, we are worldwide. Millions of vulnerable children and struggling families have received life-changing services because of his passion and innovative approach to helping people in their greatest time of need.”

Hogan, senior pastor of Chets Creek Church in Jacksonville, continued, “With Dr. Haag continuing to build the Foundation and Stephen taking the helm as the organization’s new CEO, we will grow stronger and expand wider to reach those who are suffering and hurting in our communities and across the globe.”

Aaron Burgner, board president, reflected on a recent mission trip to Kenya and reminded attendees, “God is always moving and working,” not only in Florida but throughout the world.

Florida Baptist State Convention President Mike Orr greeted the group and stated that he is prayerfully beginning to plan the 2025 Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting and invited State Board of Missions members to join him in prayer as he selects a theme for the gathering.

Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention reported that Florida Baptist churches gave $28,058,383 through the Cooperative Program in 2024. Of that, the convention sent $14,077,603 to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. The state retained $13,980,780 for missions and ministry efforts in Florida. Additionally, Florida Baptists gave $815,363 in 2024 to the Maguire State Mission Offering. The entire offering is designated to fund church planting initiatives in the state.

Rummage said, “I am thankful and grateful for what God had done in the state of Florida in 2024, financially and otherwise.”

Focusing on 1 Corinthians 9:25, Rummage stated that he is grateful for the heroes of the faith who live every moment of their lives in order “to make an eternal difference.” He encouraged State Board of Missions members to attend at least one stop of the upcoming Continuing Together tour, which begins on Feb. 20 and will include 14 locations in every region of the state. During this tour, Rummage will share his vision for the Florida Baptist Convention.

The Board referred three motions that were presented at the 2024 Florida Baptist State Convention to the appropriate committees for consideration. Two motions presented by Joel Breidenbaugh, messenger from Gospel Centered Church in Apopka, were referred to the Denominational Committee of the State Board of Missions. Breidenbaugh’s motions recommended amending bylaw 2 of the Florida Baptist State Convention, specifically in reference to defining standards for churches to be considered in friendly cooperation with the Florida Baptist Convention. The Board referred one motion presented by Cory Thorpe, messenger from First Baptist Church of Crawfordville, to the Administrative Committee. Thorpe’s motion referenced the digital availability of the Florida Baptist Convention’s annual guidebook. Both committees were instructed to report back at the 2025 annual meeting of the state convention.

Attendees received reports from four Florida Baptist Cooperating Ministries: The Baptist University of Florida, One More Child, Florida Baptist Financial Services and Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center.

The next board meeting will be April 24-25 in Jacksonville.

In early September, the State Board of Missions, acting on behalf of the Florida Baptist State Convention, approved a resolution related to Amendment 4, which was on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot. The resolution called on “Florida Baptist pastors to implore their congregations to mobilize and make their voices heard by voting against Amendment 4,” titled “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.”

Since that time Florida Baptists have worked tirelessly to rally as many Florida residents as possible to see the harm in this ballot initiative and to understand how rejecting it would positively impact life in the Sunshine State.

Advocating for the ‘voiceless’

“There will be countless precious little lives saved as a result of Amendment 4 being voted down. We rejoice in the fact that the abortion agenda does not move forward,” said Aaron Burgner, senior pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, and president of Florida Baptists’ State Board of Missions.

The rejection of Amendment 4 is an affirmation of life, believes Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer for the Florida Baptist Convention. Rummage expressed gratefulness for Florida Baptists’ in leading the way to defeat the amendment and in supporting pro-life efforts in the state through the years.

“I’m tremendously grateful for Florida Baptists in every regard with respect to Amendment 4. I’m thankful for pastors who have led the way to remind their congregations to vote–and to vote no on Amendment 4. I’m thankful for our State Board of Missions that adopted a resolution that stood strongly against Amendment 4. I’m thankful for Florida Baptists who went out and voted and made a difference for life in our state,” he said.

Burgner also affirmed Florida Baptists’ leadership in defeating Amendment 4. “We are grateful that God has chosen to use Christians to have an influence in our communities and our state. It is our holy calling to advocate for the voiceless.”

Both Rummage and Burgner agree that, although Floridians affirmed life in voting down Amendment 4, the battle is not over.

“We have to continue to be vigilant in standing for life. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, some people made the mistake in thinking that it was the end of the battle, and that’s obviously not the case. We have to continue to stand strongly for life. We have to continue to stand with those who are making a difference for life,” Rummage said.

Burgner added, “We still have a lot of work to do in this area to defend life. Churches must continue to stay on the frontlines of the battle for the sanctity of human life. While this is a huge win for the kingdom, until Christ returns, we will certainly continue to be engaged in the battle for life. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy all persons. But we know that our God is sovereign and on His throne, and we know that He cares for those babies more than we do, so we must continue to fight for righteousness.

“We must continue to pray and work diligently to defend life and do all that we can when given the opportunity to make truth known.”

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Florida’s vote to reject the significant advance of abortion rights in the state was the first abortion-related ballot initiative to fail. Because 60% of voters were necessary to amend Florida’s constitution regarding abortion rights, the 57% who approved the ballot initiative fell three percentage points short. Florida’s six-week ban on abortion will remain in place.

After Florida was the first state on Nov. 5 to affirm a pro-life stance, two other states—Nebraska and South Dakota—likewise affirmed pro-life stances just hours later. Another 14 states have passed ballot measures affirming or expanding abortion rights.

“My prayer is that Florida will lead the way for other states … and that other states will take the same direction that Florida has done in standing firmly for life,” Rummage said.

A principios de septiembre, la Junta Estatal de Misiones, actuando en nombre de la Convención Estatal Bautista de Florida, aprobó una resolución relacionada con la Enmienda 4, que estaba en la boleta electoral estatal del 5 de noviembre. La resolución instaba a los “pastores Bautistas de Florida a implorar a sus congregaciones que se movilicen y hagan oír su voz votando en contra de la Enmienda 4”, titulada “Enmienda para limitar la interferencia del gobierno en el aborto”.

Desde entonces, los bautistas de Florida han trabajado incansablemente para movilizar a la mayor cantidad posible de residentes de Florida para que vean el daño de esta iniciativa electoral y comprendan cómo rechazarla afectaría positivamente la vida en el Estado del Sol.

Defensa de los “sin voz”

“Se salvarán innumerables vidas preciosas como resultado de la votación en contra de la Enmienda 4. Nos alegramos de que la agenda del aborto no avance”, dijo Aaron Burgner, pastor principal de la Iglesia Lakes en Lakeland y presidente de la Junta Estatal de Misiones de los Bautistas de Florida.

El rechazo de la Enmienda 4 es una afirmación de la vida, cree Stephen Rummage, director ejecutivo y tesorero de la Convención Bautista de Florida. Rummage expresó su agradecimiento a los Bautistas de Florida por liderar el camino para derrotar la enmienda y por apoyar los esfuerzos pro vida en el estado a lo largo de los años.

“Estoy tremendamente agradecido a los bautistas de Florida en todos los aspectos relacionados con la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a los pastores que han liderado el camino para recordarles a sus congregaciones que voten, y que voten no a la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a nuestra Junta Estatal de Misiones que adoptó una resolución que se opuso firmemente a la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a los Bautistas de Florida que salieron a votar e hicieron una diferencia para la vida en nuestro estado”, dijo.

Burgner también afirmó el liderazgo de los bautistas de Florida en la derrota de la Enmienda 4. “Estamos agradecidos de que Dios haya elegido usar a los cristianos para tener una influencia en nuestras comunidades y nuestro estado. Es nuestro santo llamado defender a los que no tienen voz”.

Tanto Rummage como Burgner están de acuerdo en que, aunque los floridanos afirmaron la vida al votar en contra de la Enmienda 4, la batalla no ha terminado.

“Tenemos que seguir estando atentos y defender la vida. Cuando se revocó Roe v. Wade, algunas personas cometieron el error de pensar que era el final de la batalla, y ese obviamente no es el caso. “Tenemos que seguir defendiendo firmemente la vida. Tenemos que seguir apoyando a quienes están marcando una diferencia en la vida”, dijo Rummage.

Burgner agregó: “Todavía tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer en esta área para defender la vida. Las iglesias deben seguir estando en la primera línea de la batalla por la santidad de la vida humana. Si bien esta es una gran victoria para el reino, hasta que Cristo regrese, ciertamente continuaremos participando en la batalla por la vida. Satanás no quiere nada más que destruir a todas las personas. Pero sabemos que nuestro Dios es soberano y está en Su trono, y sabemos que Él se preocupa por esos bebés más que nosotros, por lo que debemos seguir luchando por la justicia.

“Debemos seguir orando y trabajando diligentemente para defender la vida y hacer todo lo que podamos cuando se nos presente la oportunidad de dar a conocer la verdad”.

Desde que la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos revocó Roe v. Wade en 2022, la votación de Florida para rechazar el avance significativo de los derechos al aborto en el estado fue la primera iniciativa de votación relacionada con el aborto que fracasó. Como era necesario el 60% de los votantes para modificar la constitución de Florida en lo que respecta al derecho al aborto, el 57% que aprobó la iniciativa de votación se quedó tres puntos porcentuales por debajo. La prohibición de seis semanas de aborto en Florida seguirá vigente.

Después de que Florida fuera el primer estado el 5 de noviembre en afirmar una postura pro vida, otros dos estados, Nebraska y Dakota del Sur, también afirmaron posturas pro vida apenas horas después. Otros 14 estados han aprobado medidas electorales que afirman o amplían el derecho al aborto.

“Mi oración es que Florida muestre el camino a otros estados… y que otros estados tomen la misma dirección que Florida ha tomado al defender firmemente la vida”, dijo Rummage.

In this article, learn how Orlando’s First Life Center for Pregnancy is a beacon of hope and support for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

ORLANDO— The young Hispanic woman, crying, walked into Orlando’s First Life Center for Pregnancy.

“She arrived at our center at six months pregnant, crying at the front desk. She told us, ‘I need to have an abortion. I don’t know what you do here, but I need to talk to someone now.’  When cases like these happen, they call me,” recalled center director Irma Rodriguez.

“We brought her into a private room where we could speak in Spanish. She told me, ‘I have two children at home; my husband just abandoned me, and I work in construction. I can’t keep this baby; I need help.’”

Rodriguez shared how the young woman explained her hardships further: “She said her job made her pregnancy visible, making her feel judged and unwanted. She was determined to have an abortion, convinced it was her only option.”

A turning point

The center’s holistic approach includes compassionate counseling and a series of questions designed to understand the woman’s background and offer the support she needs. After speaking with Rodriguez and hearing the gospel, the woman was ready to proceed to the ultrasound room.

“She was still determined to end the pregnancy, but we took her to see the ultrasound,” Rodriguez said.

As the licensed ultrasound technician began the scan, they discovered a surprise. “The technician said, ‘Look, here’s your baby. You’re six and a half months along, not just six like you thought.”

Rodriguez then asked the woman, “Do you want to know the sex?’ … When she found out the baby was a girl, she opened her eyes wide and started to cry as she saw her baby moving.”

But then, something even more remarkable happened. “The technician moved the wand and found a second baby,” Rodriguez shared. “There were twins, both girls. The mother cried even more, seeing their tiny hands and feet and hearing their heartbeats. She wept as she realized these babies were alive, formed and real.”

Finding strength and support

Still overwhelmed, the young woman expressed her fears. “She said, ‘But what am I going to do? I can’t work; I can’t afford food; I have to pay rent.’” Leaders at the center stepped in with words of reassurance. “We told her, ‘We’re here to help you. God is here to help you.’ That day, she accepted Christ, chose to keep her babies, and found hope.”

Rodriguez concluded the story with an update that highlights the power of faith and community: “Today, she has four children, comes to church with all of them, and works in construction. It’s been an incredible blessing for her. She tells us, ‘I don’t know how I ever thought of that; I regret it so much, but God’s grace is real.’ Every time we see her, we’re reminded of how God restores and rescues.”

Beacon of hope

For nearly four decades, the First Life Center for Pregnancy has stood as a beacon of hope and support for women facing unplanned pregnancies in Orlando.

Inspired by a deep commitment to uphold the sanctity of life, the center’s mission is driven by a pro-life belief in the inherent dignity of every human being. This belief fuels its compassionate work, providing not only immediate resources but also long-term support and guidance for mothers and families as they navigate challenging decisions.

Founded 38 years ago by Rick Fletcher, who felt a strong calling to support expectant parents in making informed choices, the First Life Center has grown to become a trusted haven for countless women and families.

Today, under the leadership of Rodriguez, the center continues to honor its founder’s vision. “Rick is my mentor and remains an active part of our advisory team,” Rodriguez shared, underscoring the center’s unwavering commitment to its founding principles.

Why voting ‘no’ on Amendment 4 matters

Today, as Floridians head to the polls to vote on Amendment 4, leaders at the pregnancy center believe that the amendment poses a significant threat to the protection of life. If passed, it could lead to the expansion of abortion access, undermining the very work that centers like First Life strive to achieve. It would make it much harder for pregnancy centers like First Life to reach and support women who are in crisis pregnancies. A vote “no” on Amendment 4 is crucial for protecting the unborn and ensuring that the support systems that First Life has in place continue to thrive, leaders believe.

Rodriguez’s voice carried the weight of experience and dedication: “Our long-term goal is to create a supportive environment where every woman feels prepared and supported to choose life.”

Get involved

The First Life Center for Pregnancy calls on local churches, individuals and businesses to join its mission. Whether through volunteering, mentorship or donations, every effort helps build a culture where life at every stage is celebrated and protected. “We welcome churches, individuals and businesses to join us as volunteers, mentors or donors,” Rodriguez said.

“Together, we can create a culture that celebrates and protects the dignity of life at every stage.”

Nota del editor: La Convención Bautista de Florida y One More Child están colaborando para movilizar a nuestra comunidad de fe a votar “no” en la Enmienda 4, la Iniciativa sobre el Derecho al Aborto, que estará en la boleta estatal el 5 de noviembre. Para más información, visita onemorechild.org/voteno.

En este artículo, escucha a líderes Bautistas del Sur explicar por qué votar “no” en la Enmienda 4 salvará las vidas de miles de niños no nacidos en Florida.

Editor’s Note: The Florida Baptist Convention and One More Child are partnering to mobilize our faith community to vote “no” on Amendment 4, the Right to Abortion Initiative, which will be on the state ballot Nov. 5. For more information, visit onemorechild.org/voteno.

In this article, hear from Southern Baptist leaders about why voting “no” on Amendment 4 will save the lives of thousands of unborn children in Florida.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – A ballot initiative in Florida would drastically loosen the state’s restrictions on abortions, according to Southern Baptist leaders and other pro-life advocates who are highly critical of the measure and are asking voters to reject it.

Florida currently bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a restriction that took effect earlier this year. Amendment 4, known as the “Right to Abortion Initiative,” would instead allow for abortions up to viability, or around 24 weeks. However, the initiative’s vague language would allow abortion at any stage of pregnancy, pro-life advocates say.

The amendment reads, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

One problem among many with the amendment, according to Florida Baptist pastor Aaron Burgner, is that “patient’s health” can be broadly interpreted to include even emotional or mental wellbeing, providing cover to abort a perfectly healthy unborn child.

“You can have (an abortion) essentially for any reason as long as you can find a doctor that’s agreeable that this is a health problem,” Burgner said.

Since the 2022 Dobbs case in which the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion advocates have rallied at the state levels to remove as many restrictions as possible. Seven states have passed ballot measures related to abortion since then, with pro-life measures losing every time.

Florida is one of 10 states with abortion initiatives on the ballot this fall, along with Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota. While almost all the measures in those states require only a 50 percent vote to pass, Florida’s takes a 60 percent approval.

“In Florida, life is on the ballot, and voters who care about the most vulnerable among us, the preborn, need to turn out in droves and vote ‘no’ on Amendment 4,” said Miles Mullin, vice president and chief of staff at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “Currently, Florida has some of the best protections in the nation for preborn children. But if this amendment passes, it would turn Florida into one of the most pro-abortion states in the country. At a time when virtually no politicians are willing to take up this issue at the federal level, that would set the pro-life movement in Florida back decades and lead to the tragic death of countless thousands of babies.”

Amendment 4 in Florida gained traction earlier this year when the state’s six-week abortion ban took effect. Burgner, pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, Fla., and president of the Florida Baptist Convention’s State Board of Missions, said Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union are the two major abortion proponents funding the amendment and pushing hard for its passage.

“If it failed in Florida, it would be the first state it’s failed in,” Burgner said. “That’s what we’re praying for, that God would give us grace in that area on this amendment, on voting it down.”

Florida Baptists jumped into the fray shortly after the amendment was approved for the ballot, when obstetrician and gynecologist Bill Lile, a member of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola and founder of the pro-life ministry ProLifeDoc, produced and released a video warning Christians about the insidious nature of the amendment.

In addition to moving the restriction from six weeks to 24 weeks and the ambiguity of the language about a patient’s health, the amendment also removes the state’s requirement for parental consent, swapping it instead for parental “notification.”

If the amendment passes, “abortion in Florida would be constitutionally protected, paid for by the taxpayers of Florida at any gestational stage for any reason,” Lile told Baptist Press. “And there’s no law that could correct this. There’s no executive order by the governor, which could correct this.”

Lile said amendment proponents are throwing millions of dollars behind its passage and are being dishonest about what the amendment really is, falsely arguing, among other things, that it would keep doctors from treating an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

“They could never get this amendment to pass if they were to just be honest and say, ‘This is an amendment that will allow for abortion at any stage gestational stage for any reason,’” Lile said. “It would never pass. So, they have to use deception.”

Lile’s video warning about the amendment launched Florida Baptists into action. Burgner got the state convention involved, with the FBC initially releasing a statement of opposition, and more recently, a resolution of opposition. One More Child, Florida Baptists’ ministry to vulnerable children and their families, has partnered with the FBC to mobilize churches and encourage Florida residents to “Vote No.”

“Amendment 4 is deceptive and extreme,” said Mary Lou Hendry, director of sanctity of human life for One More Child, in an article published by the FBC. “We need to rise up in love and in truth because we don’t want anybody to be uninformed. We are in the days of deception; that’s why the Gospel is necessary.”

Though Republicans in Florida have dominated the state government in recent years, rejection of this amendment is by no means certain – even with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ strong opposition. Burgner attributes that to the deceptive tactics of amendment backers and “the fact that Republicans aren’t the conservatives that we once knew.”

“They’re more moderate,” Burgner said. “While there might be a Republican majority in our state, it doesn’t mean that they’re convictional in nature in how they’re voting.”

The amendment’s passage would deal a sharp blow to pro-life efforts in Florida. Lile said such an outcome would be tragic.

“We’ve taken the lives of 64 million babies since 1973, and the number’s going up because of the abortion pill,” he said. “That’s doing evil in the sight of the Lord. So, we’re not just defending the individual baby and meeting the needs of these individual moms. We’re really trying to preserve the country that we grew up with for our kids and grandkids.

“The kingdom of God is not diminished because a bunch of immoral people made an immoral decision,” Burgner said. “However, it’s demoralizing in the fact that we’ve fought so hard for so many years, and so many people have done so many good things to get to where it is at six weeks.”

Burgner said it’s helpful to remember that God is sovereign regardless of the amendment’s outcome. But Christians still have an obligation to fight for righteousness.

“We’re in a spiritual battle, and we were never promised it was going to be easy and it wasn’t going to be an actual battle,” he said. “We need to push forward and fight all the harder for glorious things and for righteousness. And I think the darker culture gets as far as the kingdom is concerned, the more transparent and light the gospel is.”

More information on the amendment is available from the ERLC’s explainer and from One More Child.

In this article, read the story of Jason Lovins, who was conceived in the rape of his mother. The young woman chose life, and today Christian musician Lovins shares his journey, grateful for being given “a shot at life.”

The 15-year-old young woman didn’t know what she was going to do.

Walking home from the pool, she was sexually assaulted. She doesn’t even remember the incident and had no idea she was pregnant until she went to the doctor after feeling ill and not knowing why.

Pregnant. Confused. Scared.

The teen’s mother told her, “We’re going to go to church, and we’re going to pray.”

Many Christians suggested that the young mother-to-be should get an abortion. Her initial plan was to deliver the baby and place the baby for adoption.

That is, until she heard the heartbeat for the first time. She decided she not only wanted to have the baby but also to raise the baby with the help of her parents and brother.

‘Big God’

Reflecting on his mother’s profound decision to spare his life, Christian musician Jason Lovins said, “I know it could not have been easy. My grandmother very much understood how big God is. He is so big that He wasn’t surprised by me. She wasn’t listening to the world; she was listening to the One who created the world.”

Lovins has fond recollections of his childhood with his first memory being of his mother’s high school graduation, the same day as his third birthday.

“My family made it very clear to me at a young age that you don’t have an earthly father and we don’t even know who he is, but you have a Heavenly Father who loves you. They would continue to remind me of that,” he said.

“That’s always been enough for me. I don’t know any other way to say it. I was loved by so many different people. I’m blessed that God chose to put me in the family that He did.”

‘Thankful for a shot at life’

Today, as he travels the country with the Jason Lovins Band, Lovins freely shares his story.

“God showed me clearly, ‘There’s a reason I wrote your story this way, and I’m going to have you share this and give you a platform to do it,” Lovins said.

In 2022 Lovins released a music video, “Constant,” depicting the story of his mother’s pregnancy journey and affirming God’s constant character.

He hopes his story and the music video can encourage other women to choose life and, at the same time, inspire believers to minister to women who are making this decision.

“I think the church has got to step up and help.”

For Lovins, what he’s doing is simple and it’s personal.

“All I’ve done is share my story. I’m thankful my family wasn’t listening to the world. I’m thankful that I got a shot at life.”

In partnership with One More Child at the Sound the Call conference, the Jason Lovins Band will lead worship at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center Oct. 24-26.

With reporting by Baptist Press

In this article, One More Child’s Mary Lou Hendry shares her passion and calls all believers to vote “no” on Amendment 4 and together proclaim, “Life is sacred, and every life has dignity and value from conception to natural death.”

“A profound moment for the church.” That’s how Mary Lou Hendry describes the opportunity for Florida Baptists to cast their votes Nov. 5 to reject Amendment 4, the Right to Abortion Initiative.

“I believe this is a profound moment for the church because God’s kingdom is coming whether we join Him or not. I believe that abortion is not our issue; I believe the heart is. That’s why we bring hope for life change. We care, and we know the church cares, and we want to partner together to proclaim this message,” said Hendry, director of sanctity of human life for One More Child.

Hendry expressed concern that Amendment 4 is worded in such a way to be intentionally misleading and confusing to  many voters who believe incorrectly that the amendment supports the sanctity of human life when, in fact, the exact opposite is true.

“Amendment 4 is deceptive and extreme,” Hendry emphasized. “We need to rise up in love and in truth because we don’t want anybody to be uninformed. We are in the days of deception; that’s why the gospel is necessary.”

The amendment, she said, would take away all abortion restrictions that the state of Florida currently has in place and would allow abortions up to the moment of birth. The amendment also eliminates parental consent. Terms in the amendment, such as healthcare provider and viability, are not defined, leading to the possibility and probability that abortions would increase significantly in Florida if the amendment passes, she believes.

In 2023 alone, before the six-week abortion ban took effect in Florida in May 2024, more than 84,000 abortions occurred in Florida, putting the Sunshine State at number three in the nation for abortions, a heartbreaking ranking for Hendry to accept. About 7,000 of those abortions came from women traveling to Florida from out of state because, at the time, many surrounding states had stricter abortion laws.

Women seeking abortions in Florida in 2023 were asked to define the reason for their decision, with “elective abortion” being the top-cited reason by far. Such reasons are alarming to many Christians who believe that life begins at conception, Hendry said. Those reasons:

Elective abortion                                                        59,901

Social/economic concerns                                          19,606

Emotional/psychological health of mother                  2,325

Physical health of mother, non-life-endangering         1,334

Life-endangering physical condition                               251

Serious fetal genetic defect, deformity                            374

Fatal fetal abnormality                                                    141

Rape                                                                                 107

Incest                                                                                11

Victim of human trafficking                                               2

Total                                                                            84,052

Pregnancy care centers provide love and support

One More Child and the Florida Baptist Convention are pro-life partners, Hendry said.

“We are pro-life for the whole life, from the unborn to the elderly. We are pro-life, not just for the unborn, but for all of life. Life is sacred, and every life has dignity and value from conception to natural death.”

She explained, “The Lord has strategically placed pregnancy care clinics and centers around the state of Florida. The relationship between churches and the pregnancy centers is so important and valuable.”

Prior to joining the staff of One More Child in 2008, Hendry directed a pregnancy care center in Citrus County for a decade. “It’s a calling,” she said.

Women and men who enter these centers are “not judged, but informed,” she said.

Expectant mothers are offered free ultrasounds, which Hendry described as the “Psalm 139 experience.” Psalm 139 declares, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully are wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth” (Psalm 139:13-15).

Through an ultrasound, many expectant mothers, who were initially seeking an abortion, see the tiny child who is forming in the womb and instead choose life.

Among numerous services, the pregnancy centers also offer free classes on parenting, relationships and other topics; pregnancy healthcare; baby care items and even abortion recovery care. “God heals the brokenhearted,” Hendry said.

Above all else, the pregnancy centers, she explained, “bring women and men to an opportunity to come to Christ and be reconciled to Him. I believe the church is God’s design for redemption and healing.”

The pregnancy centers, she said, are doing “great work. We will keep doing that work, whatever happens with the amendment. The Lord holds the future.”

‘Rise up and proclaim hope of gospel’

Still, she said, “We are in a pivotal time to have a voice, to rise up with that voice and proclaim the excellencies and the hope of the gospel of Christ” and the clear conviction “that abortion is not the answer.”

Many Florida Baptists believe that, as they enter their polling place to cast their Nov. 5 votes, they are entering a sacred place to affirm the sanctity of human life. Hendry agrees.

Hendry urged, “Continue to pray that there will be a great and mighty intervention from God for His glory and that Florida will be the tip of the spear in this amendment.”

Quoting Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you,” Hendry has one message for Florida Baptists, and it’s a simple message.

“Rise up and vote ‘no’ on Amendment 4.”

This story is a first-person testimony from a young woman who, at age 15, was devastated to learn that she was expecting a baby, but she soon discovered the hope and love of Jesus Christ through a pregnancy care center that works in partnership with First Baptist Church of Leesburg.

If someone had told me just four short years ago that my life would be marked by more blessings than I could count, I would have looked at them with complete incredulity. I never dreamed that I could be surrounded by the warm love and happiness that I experience today.

It was all made possible by my unexpected pregnancy and a community that empowered me to take on the mission of motherhood.

I was raised in a small trailer with no electricity, let alone love, support or a good example. I would try to take my younger siblings places and be outside with them, never knowing that my intention was to protect them from what occurred inside our small, four walls.

I couldn’t let my innocent siblings see or smell the copious drugs that had consumed our mother for years. They deserved as much of a childhood as possible, despite not knowing where their next meal would come from, which was often a bag of rice dusted with salt.

Taking on the role of mother toward my siblings as a young teenager was never in my plan. Needless to say, it was hard and I was incredibly frustrated as a child raising three other children.

Then, at 15 years old, and to my utter dismay, I became pregnant.

Getting an abortion was my immediate decision, thinking I could barely take care of myself, let alone my three younger siblings. The mere thought of bringing a new life into this messy situation, at my age, was more than I could bear – or so I thought.

Knowing my situation, a teacher at my high school asked to connect me with the Pregnancy and Family Care Center in Leesburg, a ministry under the Christian Care Center. I was unsure of what to expect from the center, but not knowing where to start, I agreed.

After speaking with the thoughtful, compassionate female staff at the care center, I was given a complete list of all of my options, in addition to more information about the abortion procedure itself. I realized I couldn’t put my child through such a horrific event, and I knew in my heart that I’d never cope with the regret that, tragically, so many post-abortive women feel.

I ultimately decided to keep my child, which gave me great peace, even though I knew it would be hard to care for another little one at just 15 years old, while also raising my three siblings.

This challenge has helped me grow in my faith and not limit my abilities.

Thankfully, the care center, as well as the surrounding community, were at the ready. They provided me and my baby with more free resources than I could imagine, ranging from ultrasounds, to diapers, car seats, baby clothing and food, transportation, hygiene products, and even new clothes for me to wear at school – something I never had growing up. The women there became my mentors, my friends and my family. Most importantly, they helped me to discover a real relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting Him into my heart forever and then following the Lord through baptism.

For the first time in my life, I had a devoted support system, and a firm foundation to raise my child upon. I was no longer worried about the atmosphere my son would experience, because my world was now packed with kind, loving and generous people who deeply cared about not only my baby but also me and my younger siblings. While not by blood, I was given a family that loved me as their own.

Today, four years later, I can’t even begin to count the blessings I have in my life. Despite the odds against me, I graduated from high school on time with the rest of my class. I now have a wonderful job. My siblings and I now live with our grandfather, and I’m thankful we’re still together as a family.

My son is, without a doubt, the greatest gift from God. Knowing the immense happiness he brings to my day, he is certainly my greatest blessing.

My surrounding community and the women at the care center have been blessings not only for me but also for my family and my child. We are able to heal because of their love and support. I will never be able to thank them enough or repay them for all they have done. When I count my blessings each night, I count them – and my baby – twice.

I share my story to show other women that there is hope, love and healing available to them. Due to my past and for my safety and for the safety of my son, though, I tell my story anonymously.