HOLISTIC PRO-LIFE

Caring for the Beginning of Life & Abundant Life

We believe Christians have a call to be against abortion and to be pro-life.

This Transform Ideas forum will look beyond the picket lines, and into a holistic viewpoint of what it means to live out a pro-life stance.

Holistic pro-life is caring for the whole spectrum of life; protecting prenatal life and helping children and individuals to flourish.

If we care well for those in our community, only then will we see significant changes for the unborn.

Please note, beverages other than bottled water are not allowed in the sanctuary. We desire to honor our venue with this request by not serving coffee or tea before the forum. 

Presentations

Pro-Life Beyond Birth  |  Elisia Kraemer

Traditionally, much of the focus of pro-life support and advocacy has centered on abortion, pregnancy, and helping individuals choose life for their unborn child. This is often done through services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, decision making counseling and light material assistance by way of baby items. While these are all beneficial services, could it be that our focus has been too narrow? In order to truly make a lasting impact, it should be our mission to look beyond preventing abortion and instead broaden our view of what it means to provide life-affirming support that will help individuals and families thrive.

Nurturing a Consistent Ethic of Life  |  Jason Adkins

Christian’s engagement in the public square can transcend false, either/or choices of left and right, conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat through a consistent ethic of life, rooted in biblical vision of creation stewardship.  One term Catholics use for such an ethic is integral ecology.  Everything is connected.  It is necessary, but insufficient, to only oppose abortion.  We must also create the conditions for all of God’s creation to flourish.  Be challenged as Jason encourages the Church to hear the cry of the unborn, as well as that of the poor, the disabled, the elderly, the refugee, and the earth—our common home.

Beyond Social Media – the call within the foster care crisis  |  Avivah Brown

Social media sermons, protests, and seemingly offensive memes all have one thing in common. They are all used by believers to declare the message of the pro-life movement. Throughout her life, Avivah was a participant in many of these forms of messages until two years ago when the Holy Spirit asked her to come out from behind the screen. When she asked Him what was instead, a doorway to foster care was opened before her. Come be challenged and encouraged as Avivah shares her story of laying down her pride of declaring the message of the Pro-life movement, and in exchange, embracing the lives of many babies in our city who are born and in need of a home.

SPEAKERS

Avivah Brown | Local Foster Mom and Advocate

Avivah is a mother of two, non-profit manager and leader in many aspects of life. Her training is in theology, and community outreach. She is passionate about unity in the body of Christ in a variety of forms, and seeing the church empowered to serve their immediate communities well. In her spare time you can find her trying new restaurants, furiously finishing her latest book club read and cuddling her amazing foster kiddos. Want to chat more about foster care, community outreach strategies or the best fries you can find in the city? Contact Avivah here: avivahbrown30@gmail.com.

Tom Gonzalez | Pointway Church

Tom is Senior Pastor of Pointway church in Baxter, MN and has been in ministry for almost twenty years. He grew up in an alcoholic family and has personally experienced the toxic stress that environment produces. One of his passions in ministry is pastoral counseling, where he works with a variety of people helping them work through their life struggles. Tom has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Crown College in Pastoral Ministry and Church Leadership, respectively, and is currently working on his doctorate at Bethel Seminary researching ACEs and their effects on resiliency in pastoral ministry.

Elisia Kraemer | New Life Family Services

Elisia Kraemer comes from a political science background and has been with New Life Family Services for seven years. In addition to her role as Parenting Education Manager for each of their First Care Pregnancy Center offices, she serves as the Director of Community Relations and creates community partnerships to better support First Care families. Elisia is currently implementing a new Parenting program, and is excited to offer classes within the next year at their new Minneapolis location in the Phillips community, which is also where Elisia and her husband live.  

Jason Adkins | Minnesota Catholic Conference

Jason Adkins has served as the executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference since March 2011. Prior to his advocacy work for the Church, Jason was an attorney at the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm. Jason has clerked for both state and federal appellate judges, and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he has served as an adjunct professor.

Jason is a regular presenter at parishes and at organizations around Minnesota, and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. He writes a regular column that appears in diocesan newspapers, and his work has also appeared in numerous secular publications and journals. He frequently appears in the media, and serves on many corporate boards and advisory councils.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), and resides in Saint Paul with his family.