Hold Me Close

The Embrace Grace Program

em•brace

verb
hold (someone) closely in one’s arms, especially as a sign of affection

grace

noun
a free gift of God based on nothing we have done nor can do but based on everything He has done

This is a very vulnerable place to be.

In April 2022, Carol Lee, Director of the Starkville First Steps Clinic (formerly the Starkville Pregnancy Care Center), shared with my D-Group about the Embrace Grace Program and its purpose. Carol explained, “Think of the Clinic as the emergency room and a local church as the hospital. The Center serves the immediate crisis, and local churches can provide the support they need to stay courageous in the decision to carry their baby.” On April 26th, Martha Ann Welch and I decided to move forward, beginning the process of establishing the Embrace Grace Program at First Baptist Starkville. Looking back, we can see how the Lord was already at work.

Zoë found out she was pregnant on June 14th.

“When I found out I was pregnant, my whole body was filled with a storm of emotions,” Zoë shared. “That night, I prayed to God for an answer. I would have taken anything and prayed for God to please just help me. Then, Embrace Grace came into my life. At first, I was anxious, but that quickly faded as women I had never met greeted me and shared their stories. I found a place that helped me build and grow my relationship with God and supported me as a first-time mother. The biggest lesson I have learned is that God loves me regardless of my past mistakes and the ones I will make. My mistakes do not change the affection that He has towards me. I want to thank everyone who was a part of Embrace Grace and the church as a whole because I have grown in so many ways. My baby and I have been prayed for and loved on every week by you all, and I am eternally grateful.”

What started as obedience from two people grew into a remarkable portrayal of the Church being the hands and feet of Jesus by embracing an anxious young woman and showing her the unconditional love of Christ. Our initial volunteer interest meeting was in September. We had planned for a group of ten, but women kept showing up, and they continued to do so for weeks! We shared our hearts, they shared their ideas, and we formed the volunteer teams necessary to establish the program. It was clear that the Holy Spirit had already been stirring in our church for Embrace Grace.

Susan Heath, an Embrace Grace volunteer, shared, “This fall, I have had the privilege of getting to know and love on our Embrace Grace mother, Zoë. Zoë opened up to our group, sharing the struggles and heartaches of her pregnancy along with the joy and anticipation of becoming a mom. The path that she is on has not been easy. But the love that First Baptist volunteers have shown her through our meetings and prayers has made a positive impact on her. We have had people come forward with prayer, testimony, food, maternity clothes, weekly goodies, and to sponsor love boxes for first-time mothers. We’ve even planned a baby shower for her. I have been amazed at the number of people that immediately stepped up to say, ‘how can I help.’ It has truly been a blessing to be a part of this. I believe that one day God will use Zoë and her story. She is a courageous young lady and is already such a blessing to those around her. She will have such a testimony to share, and I hope I get the chance to witness it.”

We were not sure what this first semester would look like, but when Zoë walked through the doors on September 11th, the parable of the Lost Sheep was unfolding before us. He left the 99 to rescue Zoë as He did each of us at First Baptist Starkville.

Martha Ann Welch reflected on the semester, “When we initially agreed to do this, I was filled with excitement for what God was doing in our community! As the first meeting was getting closer, the nerves sank in, and I started thinking I was not equipped for this. But God calmed all nerves and directed every conversation at our meetings! I realized Embrace Grace is not about us saying the “right things.” It’s about our hearts being open to a hurting community, seeking hope that only Jesus can give, and loving a young mom during a scary time in her life. To see the change in Zoë from the first meeting has been nothing more than God working in her life! Walking alongside her in this journey has been the biggest blessing.”

Myra Keasler, another Embrace Grace volunteer, shared, “When I heard about Embrace Grace, I was drawn to the program and knew I wanted to serve in some capacity but had no idea how I might serve. My son, Jordan, mentioned the program to me and said, ‘Mom, I think this is a ministry you would like to help and speak truth to.’ He could not have been more correct. I am happy First Baptist Starkville has taken the step to advocate for life and be a non-judgmental source of love and strength for the one God provided for this initial class and those God will allow in the future to walk through our doors.

Choosing life is a brave and courageous choice for a young lady. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and love unconditionally. Embrace Grace is a wonderful program that demonstrates love for women and their unborn children for the glory of God’s kingdom. Watching God open doors and provide everything needed to make this first class successful has been exciting. I am blessed to have met our first mother of Embrace Grace this semester. Getting to know her has been an absolute joy, and I am thankful for the wisdom I have learned while involved with this ministry.”

This semester we have discussed salvation, fears, negative labels, faith, truth from God’s Word, breaking soul ties, forgiveness, invisible chains, and grace. I hope you’ll rejoice with us for Zoë and her decision to choose life for Nyla. God continues to open doors for Embrace Grace to grow at First Baptist and in the Starkville community. We already have a team committed to starting the Embrace Life Program in January to walk alongside mothers in their baby’s first year of life. Now, we are seeking men to lead the Embrace Legacy Program to mentor new fathers. More and more fathers are showing up with mothers at the Starkville First Steps Clinic, and they also need our love, support, and guidance! If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please email Kristy Camp at mayokristy@gmail.com.

Thank you, church, for your continued prayers for the program. Our prayers are for God to use the First Baptist Starkville family to continue to bless and grow this ministry.