[Editor’s Note: In 2008, Metro Voice, along with sev-eral other Christian newspapers across North America,commissioned an investigative article exploring the faithof Oprah Winfrey titled: “Oprah’s God. EntertainmentMogul Raises Questions About ‘many paths’ to God”.Because of Oprah’s public spiritual search and proclivityfor New Age gurus as guests on her TV show, we thoughtit was important to learn what she believed and whatshe wanted her viewers to believe. The story won awardsand received national coverage on cable television and

major publications. Now, 10 years later, in an interviewwith Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, we have an opportunityto check in on the spiritual journey of America’s most in-fluential personality.]Her cultural and spiritual influence on America is

immense. As the richest self-made woman in the U.S.,her spiritual path veering into New Age influences hasreceived sharp criticism from some Christians. But ina rather deep discussion with Hillsong’s pastor inNYC, nothing was held back as he boldly declared theneed to put Jesus first.

VOLUME 28 • NUMBER 1 January 2017 FREE–TAKE ONE!

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metro kansas cityEDITION

JANUARY 29 | SPRINT CENTER

Five stories of 2016 thatshould hold aspecialsignificanceto ChristiansSEE PAGE 22

STORIES OF 2016

Mark Ellis | Assist News

RESPECT FOR LIFE

Hillsong pastor shares with Oprah

See OPRAH’S GOD page 23

Marching with hundreds of thousands of people downthe streets of Washington, D.C. is an experience JeanFahlstrom of Raytown will never forget.

“I thought we could really go and say we are against thisand someone would really hear us,” Fahlstrom said.Fahlstrom was part of a delegation from the Kansas City

See MARCH FOR LIFE page 5

Annual March for Life draws thousands from Missouri and KansasStephanie Boothe | Metro Voice

Metro Voice will host its 18th Chris-tian K-12 Education and College ExpoSaturday, March 4 at Colonial Presbyte-rian Church from 10–2 p.m. The annualfree event is a Kansas City tradition forfamilies looking at all levels of educationincluding high school juniors and sen-iors considering Christian college, plusfamilies looking for K-12 and home-schooling options. The event draws families and stu-

dents from across the region seeking an-swers to their many questions. Popularmini-seminars include such topics ascollege financial aid, a K-12 parent paneldiscussion and homeschooling.Over 40 Christian colleges from 15

states will be in attendance plus thearea’s best private K-12 schools.This year, in addition to the March 4

expo, K-12 Open Houses will be heldthe following week: Jackson County,Northland and Johnson County. All events are free and open to the

public. For more information visitmetrovoicenews.com or call 816-524-4522.

ByDwight Widaman

K-12 and CollegeExpo expands

with open houses18th Annual Event onMarch 4. K-12 Open

Houses Following WeekAs the U.N. Security Council passeda resolution condemning Israel for itscontrol over Judea and Samaria (WestBank) Israel continues to quietly helpwounded Syrian women and childrenfrom war-torn Allepo, Syria. “We see the tragedy, the terrible

suffering of civilians,” Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu said,after the low-key effort was publicized. Syria and Israel have no diplomatic

ties. For years, Syria bombarded Israelicivilians living around the Sea of

By Dwight Widaman

Israel quietlyhelps Syrians

Muslim or Christian, Israeldoesn’t ask as it saves lives

A Syrian child in recovery whose lifewas saved in Israel and then pro-vided with a prosthetic limb.

See SYRIANS page 2

Pastor Carl Lentz with Oprah Winfrey

Metro Voice –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– January 2017 • 5

In probably no other area of life areChristians as counter-cultural as we arein the area of respecting the dignity andworth of human life. The culture inwhich we live was described aptly byPope John Paul II as a “culture of death”.By this he meant that our culturalnorms accept war, starvation, poverty,lack of freedoms, abortion on demand,capital punishment, euthanasia andcountless other affronts to human lifeand dignity as normal. It is, also, veryclear that today we cannot depend uponeither law or custom to reflect the factthat our country grew out of a Christianworldview and set of Christian princi-ples. These are enshrined in our Consti-tution, Bill of Rights and otherfoundational documents.

Even though it might not be true forlong, our currency still proclaims theoriginal spirit that “In God We Trust”.We stand out, however, as Christians ina secular, anti-spiritual, materialistic andhostile culture that would like to mar-ginalize us and our faith as a quaintstory that once made life easier to bear.While we do not have to undergo mar-tyrdom in a Roman coliseum today, wedo have to suffer the cynicism, hostilityand ill-informed rantings of newspaperand television editorials.In the face of all of this, it is critical

that we make clear our stand for life andfreedom. We believe that all human lifeis a sacred expression of the love andcreativity of God. We believe that assuch all-human life deserves protection,nurturance and the right to thrive. Forus, no human life is without value orunworthy of societal status and rever-ence. Beginning with the foundationalright to life, we also fight for basic rights

Anna Hoduski is a young womanwith a passion, a purpose and a plan.Through an initiative she started, Proj-ect If Life, the 23-year-old is running3,000 miles across the United States tobring awareness to thepro-life movement andspark conversations aboutabortion. Her journeytook the Kansas nativeacross the Sunflower Stateand now she finds herselfin the west nearing hergoal.“I want to bring atten-

tion to the movement, butthere is often no opendoor to talk with peopleabout it,” Anna explained.“But if you are doing a runof some kind, people willask you 'why are you doing it?' and thatgives you an open door.” Her interest in the pro-life movement

began as a child and continued into col-lege. “I became passionate about the pro-

life movement in fifth grade when my

teacher taught me that life begins atconception,” she explained. “I've alwaysbeen passionate about it, but I had noidea how to get plugged in to help. As asophomore in college, I felt led by God

to do a run across the U.S.I like running and I did ahalf marathon as a junior.I ended up deciding towait until I graduated col-lege before doing it and wespent the next two yearsplanning it out.” Anna started her run on

July 23, 2016, with nomoney, no vehicle and asmall team to go with her,including her brotherNicholas (who works as aco-runner and trainer),her sister Sarah-Marie Ho-

duski as their web manager and herfriend Megan Maier as project manager. They have covered 800 miles so far,

starting at the Kansas/Missouri border(where Anna and her family are from)and heading to Los Angeles. Anna runs 15 miles a day at least,

then takes note of where she stops oncethey are done for the day. The next morning, she starts at the

exact same spot and continues her trek.Thursdays and Sundays are used to restand speak at churches. She also doesspeaking engagements at schools andother organizations throughout theweek. Once they arrive in Los Angeles,they'll take a break for a couple weeksand start back in Kansas City, headingto Washington, D.C. Anna's favorite part in doing her run

so far has been seeing people helpingout in their community. “When I'mdone speaking, I see people realize howbig a deal it [abortion] is and how itneeds to change,” she said. “But I don'tleave them helpless, I work to put thehope back in their heart. People will getexcited and want to get involved, but

they don't know how to turn their pas-sion into action. That's where they canhelp at pregnancy centers, whetherthrough donations or even as beingclient advocates.” One goal is to encourage people to

connect with their local pregnancy cen-ters. “They are the boots on the ground,day in and day out fighting for kids andtheir families,” she said. “They see the decisions that parents

make about their babies every day. Tohelp them is the most effective, practicalway to get involved [with the pro-lifemovement].” But what Anna really wants to leave

people with as she runs on from city tocity is that it is so easy to get involved,not only in the pro-life movement butin helping new families. “...if you just save one life in your life-

time, that is a miracle,” she said. “Lawsneed to change ... but you can do yourpart in your community, whether it bedonating diapers or volunteering. “People think that they have to do a

big run like this to make a difference andI say, 'no, God called me to do the run.

God can use you in a different way, nomatter how big or small.” For more information and to learn

how you can support Anna and herteam, visit Projectif.life or search @Pro-jectiflife on social media.

–reprinted with permission from mon-trosemirror.com

BE counter-culture!

Anna and her brother, Nick, begineach morning with prayer and theroad before them.

Anna Hoduski is a 23year old with a passion,a purpose and a plan.

““...if you just saveone life in your lifetime, that is a

miracle.”

The challenge ofbeing a “respect life

Christian”

See GENERATION page 11

RESPECT FOR LIFEKansas Woman nears end of cross-country run for life

St. Joseph Diocese to participate in theannual March for Life demonstrationin Washington, D.C. Fahlstrom at-tended the rally in 2007 and again in2012. The march – which draws hun-

dreds of thousands of pro-life sup-porters from around the country –begins at the National Mall and me-anders through the streets of Wash-ington, D.C., and is aimed to raiseawareness of the pro-life message. “When we got to the Supreme

Court building, there were hundredsof women holding signs that said ‘I re-gret my abortion,’” Fahlstrom recalled.“That just broke my heart.”Fahlstrom and other delegates from

the local diocese rode on a charter busto Washington. She enjoyed spending24 hours on a bus with her sisters inChrist. “It was more like a pilgrimage,”

Fahlstrom said. “We prayed, we said arosary. There were educational films.”For Fahlstrom, the most rewarding

part of the whole experience was lis-tening to the speakers at the NationalMall at the pre-march rally. The speak-ers ranged from legislators to womenwho have suffered abortions. The pre-March rally is something

Mary Kay Culp, director of Kansansfor Life, enjoys. She attended the rallylast year so she could see Gov. SamBrownback, R-Kansas, receive anaward for passing pro-life legislation.

“The Kansas folks always make it apoint to be at the front of the rally,”Culp said. An important part of the pro-life

movement – one most people don’tconsider – is the pain an abortioncauses the mother. And for Culp, theMarch is about more than saving ba-bies.“We all owe the women of America

an apology for letting them believeabortion is liberating when, in fact, itsets a burden on their shoulders forthe rest of their lives,” Culp said. “A lotof people don’t know how much wecare about that issue. They think thatwe just love babies. “Culp enjoys seeing how many youth

are involved in the movement. Duringthe 2016 march – when Washingtonwas caught in a blizzard – some stu-dent made an alter out of snow andheld mass. “Our young people arestrongly pro-life. To see it is really en-couraging,” Culp said. One such young person is Emma

Widaman of Pleasant Hill, Mo.Widaman attended the march withher mother six years ago – when shewas just a freshman in high school.She had been attending youth

group with a friend where they dis-cussed sex trafficking and abortion. Widaman said she felt like the Lord

laid those two issues on her heart.“I really felt convicted that I would

be involved in both of those later inmy life,” Widaman said. Widaman is now seeking a nursing

degree in hopes of using her education

to help in that realm. Widaman’s par-ents encouraged her to get involved inthe movement and have her voiceheard.“It was crazy,” Widaman recalled. “It

was crowded with people. It was awe-some because you know all the peoplearound you are like-minded.”Widaman recalled how videos of

abortions were being played duringthe rally – showing the graphic imagesof abortion and what it does to themother – let a lone the child. “It made it so real that these are real

lives they are murdering,” Widamansaid. Overall, the three women believe

their voices were heard.“You’re adding to the crowd,”

Widaman said. “Your prayers and yoursupport matter in the spiritual world.”For Culp the rally serves as a way to

remind the other side the pro-lifemovement is not going away.“Every few years someone declares

the movement dead,” Culp said. “Eventhough I know they’re completelywrong, it’s still gratifying.”Culp has met pro-life supporters

from Ireland, France, England. Even afew celebrities like Kelsey Grammer. For Fahlstrom, she was honored to

lend her voice to something she be-lieves in so strongly. “Just the fact that I was able to go

and say ‘I’m against this,’” Fahlstromsaid. “And it’s the fact that we have theright in this country to stand up andsay ‘this is wrong.’”

MARCH FOR LIFEcontinued from page 1

6 • January 2017 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Metro Voice

Family values become such only asthey are owned and shared by husbandand wife, passed along intentionally tochildren, reinforced by siblings andgrandparents, applied to concrete issuesand decisions, practiced in the lifestyleof the family. It is not enough to pay lip service to a

traditional, Judeo-Christian ethic -whatever that means. It is not enough tocall oneself conservative, mouth all thepolitically correct positions of a so-called "moral majority," and express ap-propriate horror at what has happenedto values in America. Values are convic-tions made practical. They are personal

principles applied to real issues. They arethe consistent expression of what youare and believe, in actions as well aswords. Values are woven into the fabricof your being. They frame your windowon life. They trigger your response to sit-uations.Nowhere is that more apparent than

in the issues of life which God addressesin his Fifth Commandment, "Thou shallnot kill." We are a society confusedover the issues of life, from genetic en-gineering to living wills. We are a societydriven by issues of health, traumatizedby news-cameras' images of death, chal-lenged by the problems of aging. But

more than anything, we are a society insearch of reasons for living. That callsfor something beyond public opinionand pious platitudes. That calls for aclear and consistent life ethic from Godto guide us into "Lasting Values ForEvery Family."Let us state, before elaborating, three

simple "Life Principles:" Life is FROMGod. Life is UNDER God. Life is FORGod.It makes a huge difference how one

views the origin and source of life. If lifeis no more than the serendipitous con-sequence of evolution, it has no mean-ing or value apart from the biologicalsystem and physical universe of which itis an inconsequential part. If life has noCreator, then it has no Ruler. In short,life has no objective values if secular hu-manism and biological evolution ex-plain life. The loss of values incontemporary western civilization is nomystery.By stark contrast Christianity asserts

that life is from God. He is its creator,not simply in some general sense, butthe creator of all life and each life. Listento Psalm 139: "You, Lord, created my in-most being; you knit me together in mymother's womb. I praise you because Iam fearfully and wonderfully made...Allthe days ordained for me were writtenin your book before one of them cameto be.Because God is the creator of life,

each life has intrinsic value. Your life isprecious because God made you. Notwhat you're like or what you can do toestablish your worth. God has already

done that. And when you have graspedthat truth of God for yourself, you willbegin to understand the value God hasplaced on every other human being cre-ated specifically by Him.The principle that life is from God

has another important implication. IfGod alone creates life, then God alonehas the right to terminate life. BecauseHe is the Ruler of life, He makes therules that govern lifeLife is also under God. He is no mere

transcendent deity, uninvolved and dis-interested in the lives of those he hasmade. He didn't pass laws of nature andretire from his legislative office. God hasan active role in life in general, and inyour life in particular. In Psalm 75, theAuthor of Life writes, "I choose the ap-pointed time; it is I who judge up-rightly." Some times in your life are hardand some times are happy, but all thetime your life is in God's hands.Some people's lives are described by

illness and incapacity, by poverty andoppression; but nobody's life is definedby its condition. The so-called quality oflife is simply a flawed human effort atquantifying and categorizing the bless-ings of God upon life. Life is not less be-cause God allows physical, psychologicalor socio-economic suffering. That life is under God assures also

that life is in God's care. "The eyes of alllook to you, O Lord, and you give themtheir food at the proper time," thepsalmist David affirms. "You open yourhand and satisfy the desires of every liv-ing thing. The Lord is righteous in all hisways and loving toward all he has made.Because we exist for God, it is also

true that God establishes the values forour life. He determines what is right andwrong, good and bad, important or in-significant. He establishes priorities andprinciples for living life. In fact, he IS thepriority that fixes the value of all the restof life. The prophet Isaiah used a potterand pottery to illustrate the point.We pots exist to serve the potter ac-

cording to how he designed us to serve.If one is a cup, one acts like a cup not avase. If one is storage jar, one holds whatthe potter stores in us rather than wish-ing to be a plate. He who made us notonly establishes our value, but our val-ues thereby.Three biblical principles: Life is

FROM God, UNDER God, and FORGod. Jesus shapes our values in the issue of

life, because as Colossians 3 says it,"JESUS IS OUR LIFE."

–by Pastor Paul Kelm

Not to mention respect for the Lord's gift of life

Family values, Fifth Commandment show why we are pro-life

Metro Voice –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– January 2017 • 7

INCIDENCE OF ABORTIONnA total of 699,202 abortions were

reported to Centers for Disease Controland Prevention for 2012, the most re-cent year numbers are available. (Re-porting is voluntary and not 100%.)

n In 2012, the total number of abor-tions decreased by 4.3% over 2011numbers. In 2011, the total number ofabortions decreased by 5% over 2010numbers.

nThe Associated Press reported inJune 2015 that nationwide the numberof abortions decreased by an average12% since 2010.

nCDC showed that 3,988,076 ba-bies were born in the U.S. in 2014, themost recent year numbers are available.

n In the United States, about half ofall pregnancies are unintended.

nOf all unintended pregnancies, 4in 10 are aborted.

nTwenty-one percent of all preg-nancies in the U.S. end in abortion (notincluding natural miscarriages).(2011numbers)

nThere has been a steady decline inabortions since 1980.

n Each year, about 1.7% of allwomen aged 15-44 have an abortion.

nOf the women obtaining abor-tions in any given year, about half ofthem have had at least one previous

abortion.n By age 45, one third of American

women will have had at least one abor-tion, although this figure is now in dis-pute and may be much lower.

n Some 1.06 million abortions wereperformed in 2011, down from 1.21million abortions in 2008, a decline of13%.

nThe U.S. abortion rate in 2011 was13.9 abortions per 1,000, down from19.4 per 1,000 in 2008.

n 88.7% of all abortions take placeby the twelfth week of pregnancy.

n 12% of abortions in the U.S. oc-curred in teenagers.

WHY WOMEN GET ABORTIONSn Some 1.06 million abortions were

performed in 2011, down from 1.21million abortions in 2008, a decline of13%.

nWomen who have never beenmarried account for one-third of abor-tions in America.

n Less than 1% of all abortions takeplace because of rape and/or incest.

nWomen give an average of 3.7 rea-sons why they are seeking an abortionincluding the following:

n 21% Inadequate financesn 21% Not ready for responsibilityn 16% Woman’s life would be

changed too much

n 12% Relationships, unmarriedn 11% Too young and/or immaturen 8% Children are grown; she has all

she wantsn 3% Baby has possible health

probs.n<1% Pregnancy caused by

rape/incestn 4% Other

ABORTIONS BY RACEn Blacks comprise only 13% of the

population of America but account for28% of all abortions.

n Black women are five times morelikely to abort than white women.

n 69% of pregnancies among blacksare unintended, while that number is54% among Hispanics and 40% of

pregnancies among whites.n Planned Parenthood, the largest

seller of abortions in the United States,has located 80% of its abortion clinicsin minority neighborhoods, dispropor-tionally targeting minorities for abor-tion.

For more info, read the report: “RacialProfiling and Population Control,” byMark Crutcher, Life Dymanics

ABORTIONS IN AMERICAA look at the issue by facts and figures

Nation elects pro-life prez,Kansas budget woesaffect pro-life billsBy Kathy Ostrowski, Kansans forLife Legislative DirectorAfter a November presidential elec-

tion which developed into a national ref-erendum on abortion, pro-lifers canshare a collective “whew”!For the first time ever, political parties

and their presidential candidates publiclystaked out totally opposite positions—unlike previous elections, in which mostcandidates tried to minimize their posi-tions on controversial issues. HillaryClinton made abortion-on-demand acornerstone issue of her 2016 campaign:abortion available to everyone at anytime up until delivery, and at taxpayer’sexpense! In addition, in spite of the na-tional furor over the sale of aborted babyparts to the highest bidder, Clintonwanted to expand taxpayer funding toAmerica’s largest abortion provider,Planned Parenthood.Trumped spoke with passionate op-

position to late-term abortion andpromised to put pro-life candidates onthe U.S. Supreme Court and defundPlanned Parenthood. He eked out a vic-tory in state after state, effectively turningall but the states in the Northeast andWest Coast bright red.Back in Kansas, which has been lead-

ing the nation in pro-life laws, electionsturned a bit backwards, with 23 lawmak-ers retiring in May and 27 pro-lifers los-ing their primary or general election.While the pro-life majorities in bothchambers are holding, there has been aninflux of state reps and senators electedprimarily to “fix” school funding and taxreceipt deficits.

See KANSAS LEGISLATION page 10

8 • January 2017 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Metro Voice

young lives

Compelled by Christ to

Show-Me serves as an alternative to state-based foster care offering Christ-centered:

• Homes and families• Individualized education programs• Professional counseling &

therapeutic services• Ongoing support for young people

as they transition into adulthood

Show-Me Christian Youth Home

Main Campus Satellite Home

Emerald Ranch Goodman, MO

Drysdale Home Barnett, MO

Main CampusLa Monte, MO

Hubble HomeGalt, MO

New Life UnitMayview, MO Knob Noster Unit

Knob Noster, MO

Show-Me ChristianYouth Home

When Lori came to Rachel House forthe first time, she was determined tohave an abortion. After talking with ourclient advocate, she had nearly changedher mind, but when she returned for herultrasound appointment she had beenarguing with the baby’s father and wasagain strongly considering abortion. Shewas certain she would not get the sup-port she needed from him and felt thata baby would tie her to a man she nolonger wanted to see. During the ultrasound appointment,

Lori teared up when she saw the baby’sheart beating. Over and over, she said,“That’s my baby!” The next time we sawLori, she reported that she had canceledher abortion appointment after that ul-trasound. She was now determined toparent her baby no matter whether thebaby’s father chose to be involved ornot. Statistics tell us that if an abortion-

minded woman visits an abortion clinicfirst, 80% of the time she chooses abor-tion. But if she receives an ultrasound at

a life-affirming pregnancy center first,80% of the time she chooses life. AtRachel House, our focus is to be the firstchoice for women at risk for abortion inour communities. Meet Adrian, born toLori in February. The services we offermake a difference for LIFE on a dailybasis. Rachel House is dedicated to meeting

the physical, emotional and spiritualneeds of women seeking assistance inunplanned pregnancies. Our focus is to

protect the unborn and provide spiri-tual guidance in a Christ-centered envi-ronment. We offer free pregnancy tests,life-affirming ultrasounds, and a 20-week education program to those whoqualify. Rachel House serves Kansas City

from five locations: Grandview, Inde-pendence, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit,and in the Northland; and we look for-ward to seeing 3,000 women in our cen-ters in 2017. Together we are making a

“I was homelessand pregnant”, saidPaula. “The dad waspushing for an abor-tion. I knew I couldn’tdo it. [Then] someonetold me about [Alter-natives Clinic]. I wasamazed to know that Iwasn’t alone. Peopledid care…there washope.“[The ladies at Al-

ternatives Clinic] in-troduced me to a lot ofgreat people. I now at-tend church. I have a home, a job, anda car. They didn’t do it for me — theyhelped me; I still had to do my part.[Alternatives Clinic] is amazing; I’d belost without [them].”In closing, Paula shared, “[Before],

I was sad and depressed. And every-thing’s turned around. I have my faithback. I have good people in my life. Ihave a new baby and a home [for her].I’m happy. Some girls don’t think theyhave any other choice. When theycome here, they find out there aremany options and they are not alone.“Alternatives Clinic is a nonprofit

medical clinic and pregnancy resourcecenter in Harrisonville, Mo. providingservices to Cass County and sur-rounding areas. The clinic is staffed bytwo part-time registered nurses as wellas other support staff and volunteers.

Alternatives Clinic provides a varietyof free, confidential services to the in-dividuals and families they serve suchas pregnancy testing; limited obstetri-cal ultrasound; information on sexu-ally transmitted infections; peercounseling; prenatal, parenting, andlife skills classes; a clothing closet; afood pantry; community referrals; aswell as financial assistance for thosewho qualify.An on-site prenatal clinic providing

full service prenatal care is also avail-able on Monday afternoons. The pre-natal clinic is staffed by Dr. Tieman,Dr. Chappell, and Dr. Sunny fromGoppert-Trinity Family Care. Thedoctors accept pregnancy Medicaid,private insurance, and self-pay pa-tients.

Alternatives Clinic: Life-SavingHelp in a Life-Changing Way

Rachel House uses technology to bring life into focus

Annual Pro-Life Prayer Vigil-Kansas City, MissouriJoin the Annual Prayer Vigil on January 27, 2017 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm sponsored by Missouri

Right to Life-Western Region. There will be prayer for both the unborn, their mothers and those consideringassisted suicide/euthanasia. Prayer will be offered for those traveling to Washington, DC for the annual Marchfor Life. The Vigil will be held across the street from the Federal Courthouse at 9th Street in Kansas City.Please come, join with pastors, ecumenical groups and those working in the pro-life community.

Metro Voice ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– January 2017 • 9

January 27thMarch for Life Washington, DCLocal KCMO Prayer VigilNoon to 1:00 pmFederal Courthouse, KCMO

Annual May Golf Tourney14th Annual Golf TournamentMay 19, 2017

Our Mission is to protect life from conception until natural death. We do this by

education, legislation and activation.

MMiissssoouurrii RRiigghhtt ttoo LLiiffeeWWeesstteerrnn RReeggiioonn

9504 E. 63rd St. Suite 103Kansas City, MO 64133

816-353-4113 www.mrlWesternRegion.org

Pro-life DirectoryADOPT KANSAS KIDS 3545 SW 5th St. Topeka, KS 66601 877-457-5430 customercare@adoptkskids.orgwww.adoptkskids.org

ALPHA CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S HOME15017 27th StreetPO Box 727Perry, Kansas 66073-0727Michelle Kincaid | 785-597-5235office@alphachristianchildrenshome.comwww.alphachristianchildrenshome.com

ALTERNATIVES CLINIC307 W Washington StHarrisonville, MOLinda Freeland | 816-380-4885director@lifechoicecenter.orgwww.alternativesclinic.org

BIRTHRIGHT OF GREATER KANSASCITY6309 Walnut StreetKansas City, MissouriGlenda Merten816-444-7090kansascity@birthright.orgwww.birthright.org

CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES OF THEMIDWEST, INC.8249 W. 95th St., Ste. 107Overland Park, KS 66212Susan K. Timmons, LSCSW913-383-3337 x102susan@cfskc.orgwww.cfskc.org

IF NOT FOR GRACE5950 NE Lakewood WayLee's Summit, MO, 64064Lori Driggs816.847.2911ldriggs@infg.orgwww.infg.org

KANSAS CHILDREN’S SERVICELEAGUEFrom Heart to Home Infant Adoption650 Minnesota Ave.Kansas City, KS 66101877-581-5437 or 913-371-2220tklaus@kcsl.orgwww.kcsl.org

MISSOURI BAPTIST CHILDREN’SHOMEP.O. Box 22787Kansas City, MO 64113Dawn Hensley | 816-795-8878dawn.hensley@mbch.orgwww.mbch.org

MOTHER’S REFUGE14400 E. 42nd St. South, Suite 220Independence, MO 64055Robert Zornes | 816-353-8070 office@mothersrefuge.orgwww.mothersrefuge.org

PARKVILLEWOMEN'S CLINIC6326 N Lucerne Ave.Kansas City Mo 64151Sonya Rice816 746 4855www.PWC4life.usinfo@parkvillewomensclinic.com

When a woman is pregnant anddoesn’t want to be, it’s a very scary time.While looking for answers she is alsolooking for hope. Retooled pregnancycenter websites that “speak” to the abor-tion-minded woman are giving womenreal hope across the country, includingthe Greater Kansas City area. VitaeFoundation’s Right Brain research iswhat makes these websites different andattractive to women facing an abortiondecision.“These websites are like magnets in

cyberspace to women seeking abortion,drawing them out of the darkness andinto a light that offers real help and a re-lationship of support,” AnneCarmichael, Vitae’s COO and SeniorMarket Director, stated.Bridgit Smith, Executive Director of

Pregnancy Care Center is seeing a bigdifference in the traffic at her center inLawrence, Kan. In the past, they haddifficulties connecting with youngerclients. Since the new Vitae website waslaunched, they are seeing a lot moreclients—including students—signingup for appointments through the web-site.“In November, a woman we’ll call

Rachael emailed us through the newwebsite we wouldn’t have if not forVitae,” Smith stated. “The website wasdesigned to speak directly to the abor-tion-minded clients. In the email, ascared Rachael wrote: ‘Having a littletrouble deciding adoption or abortion.I’ve never thought I’d be one to considerabortion, but I’m in a bad spot. I’d liketo learn more...please just email.’” The staff at PCC emailed Rachael

back and set up an appointment for herto come into the center for optionscounseling. The staff listened to herconcerns and fears, then presented all ofthe options available to her. Includedwas information about an attorney whoprovides his counsel pro bono for youngwomen deciding to place their child foradoption. Rachael was interested in con-tacting the attorney. She also wentahead and scheduled a sonogram ap-pointment. When the appointmenttime came, however, Rachael didn’t

show up. “We all were disappointed, but we

continued to pray, believing she stillhadn’t made a final decision,” Smithnoted.A week later, Rachael contacted PCC

again through the website. She sharedthat arrangements had been made forher to meet with the attorney to start theprocess of adoption. “The attorney called us to confirm

the appointment with PCC staff andasked if the center had referred thisyoung mom to him,” Smith explained.“He laughed when he explained thatRachael told him she had been referredby Planned Parenthood! His reply was,‘I don’t think they would refer you tome.’” The attorney and birth parents have

met and are in the initial stages of de-ciding on a forever family for their baby.Because this young woman is no longerin a relationship with the birth father,she currently does not have a place tolive. A volunteer from PCC who hashoused previous clients is meeting withRachael about the possibility of stayingwith the volunteer and her husbanduntil the baby is born.“None of this would have been pos-

sible if this young woman hadn’t foundour new website and felt comfortableenough to reach out to us. We can’tthank Vitae enough for the website andfor the findings from their research. Weare better able to serve the women ofDouglas County, Kansas, because ofthem!” Smith stated.

Considering Abortion, Woman finds Center with Vitae’s Help

Anne Carmichael, Vitae COO

Despite a very successful educationalcampaign to ‘Not Retain’ Judges on theState Supreme Court and Court of Ap-peals, they all kept their jobs. H o w -ever, the liberal, pro-abortion judges wetargeted (who received 76-84 % approvalin past elections) barely survived at 55%support (they needed 50%). The threejudges supported by Kansans for Lifeeach received 115,000 more votes thanany of the others.The 2016 state legislature was a victim

of the focus on budget issues, and thesession was abruptly shortened by a fewweeks to save on expenses. This damaged

Kansans for Life’s push to enact Simon’sLaw, and after passage in the Senate 37-3, we ran out of time to move it through

the House.Under Simon’s Law, “Do Not Resusci-

tate” (DNR) orders on children will bebarred unless the parents give permis-sion. Shocking testimony revealed thatinfants and even older children sufferingchromosomal abnormalities have beendenied life-sustaining treatment due tophysician bias against their “quality oflife.” Parents found out too late —aftertheir child died—that “DNR” orderswere ordered without their knowledge orconsent. This session, we will bring backthe bill for consideration.

Kansas did enact two pro-life laws:1) The very popular budget prioriti-

zation of Title X “reproductive service”

federal money. This is funding thatPlanned Parenthood used to get, butnow goes to full-service public clinics

and hospitals.2) A ban on midwives in independent

practice from performing abortions.

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KS LEGISLATIONcontinued from page 7

"Simon's Law" to protect parentalrights, is promoted by the Crosierfamily, shown here with babySimon before his untimely death.

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Committed to an abortion free Missouri. Standing for life in Missouri – on the sidewalk, at the

Capitol and in the local churches. Concerned Women for America of Missouri

www.cwfa.org/states/missouri 314-608-0168 • cwaofmo@hotmail.com

OFMISSOURI

Missouri Right to Life listslegislative agenda for 2017Missouri Right to Life is working diligently to

prevent your state tax dollars from being usedfor abortion services, human cloning and em-bryonic stem cell research. During the 2017 ses-sion, Missouri Right to Life will call on ourlegislators to take up and pass the expandedabortion clinic inspection bill. The following list gives an overview of “some”

of the pro-life legislation we are asking our pro-life legislators to pass:

ACTION REQUESTED OF MISSOURI LEG-ISLATURE BY MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE:

n Pass expanded abortion clinic inspection billn Required annual on-site inspectionn Tighten reporting requirements to ensure

baby body parts are not bought or soldn Provides whistle-

blower protection forthose who work in abor-tion clinics

n Pass pain-capableunborn child protectionact

n Ban dismemberment abortionsn Defund Planned Parenthood – redirect

funding to federally qualified health centers toprovide expanded services for women’s healthcare

n Ban public funding for abortion services,human cloning and embryonic stem cell re-search

n Two parent notification before a minor has

an abortionn Ban sex-selection abortionsn Prevent do-not-resusitate orders from

being placed in a minor child’s medical file with-out parental consent

n Require informedconsent Info be given towomen referred to out ofstate abortion clinics

n Required guide-lines for health care deci-sion makers in end of life

decisions n Pro-life protective language on budget

and economic development bills to preventfunding for abortion services, human cloning(SCNT), embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) andall human life-destroying research

n Continued funding for alternatives toabortions and tax credits for pregnancy resourcecenters

Plan to attend pro-life lobby day onTuesday, March 14, 2017 – It will bean exciting day!Activities begin at10:00 a.m. - Rally at Noon on the 1stfloor rotunda. Come, meet your new

legislators!

Missouri Right to Life, Legisla-tive Liaison, Susan Klein andpro-lifers from across Missourilobby at the Missouri StateCapitol at the annual Pro-LifeAction Day.

Pro-life DirectoryRACHEL HOUSE 1260 NE Windsor DriveLee's Summit, MOKathy Edwards816-921-5059info@rachelhouse.orgwww.rachelhousefriends.org

SAINT FRANCIS COMMUNITY SERV-ICES - HEADQUARTERS509 E Elm StSalina, KS866-999-1599www.st-francis.org

SHOW-ME CHRISTIAN YOUTH HOMEMain Campus24302 Mahin Rd.La Monte, MO 65337Chris Ruhnke | 660-347-5982info@showmekids.orgwww.showmehelpingkids.org

THE LIGHT HOUSEPO Box 22553Kansas City, MO 64113Dawn Shipman | 816-361-2233dawns.lighthouse@mbch.orgwww.lighthousekc.org

of healthcare, education, employ-ment, freedom from racism and prej-udice and for freedoms of religiouspractice. Our Catholic systems of ed-ucation, healthcare and charity em-body and express ourcore respect-life com-mitments. To treatthese core ministries ofour church as mere“social services” thatcan be defined andmanaged by govern-ment rules and regula-tions is a particularlyodious attack uponour rights and respectlife principles.Misinterpretations

of the “separation ofreligion from the state”or the “sacred from thesecular” that wouldseek to justify intru-sion upon religious liberty need to beexposed for the fictions that they are.It is our responsibility as Christians

to express our respect for human lifein our own behaviors, in our publicactivism and through the ballot box.Life in a democracy respects diversity

and freedom and works for the com-mon good. At times we must expressour beliefs assertively as in the “An-nual March For Life” held on January27 in Washington, D.C., letter writing,phone calls and personal visits to leg-islators. It is also important that wepray and show active spiritual and

material concern for allthe citizens of ourcountry, especially themost vulnerable and atrisk among us. To becounter-cultural and tostand out is not such abad place to be. We canbe a fulcrum forchange, a leaven forgrowing the mosthuman of all emotionsand attachments: to lifeand to its enhance-ment. We believe in abeautiful and “seamlessgarment” of respect lifecommitments andconcerns. As “respect-

life” Catholic Christians, we are mak-ing and can make even more of adifference for the better in our coun-try. We just need to be courageousand persistent so that our voices arenever silent.

– Msgr. Michael D. McGraw

GENERATIONScontinued from page 5

“It is ourresponsibilityas Christiansto express ourrespect forhuman life inour own

behaviors, inour publicactivism andthrough theballot box.”

Four precious little giftscame early this Christmas fora Newnan, Georgia family.On Dec. 16, Kortney Miller,

23, gave birth to naturally-conceived quadruplets: boysBrandon, Brayden and Bryantand girl Kenlee, the TodayShow reports. Doctors saidboth mom and babies aredoing well.The quadruplets are ex-

tremely rare. Doctors say thechance of conceiving quadru-plets naturally, without helpfrom fertility treatments, isone in 700,000.Miller said multiples run in

her family, and early in herpregnancy, she had a sensethat she was having twins.During one of her first ultra-sounds, she said the technician askedher if multiples ran in her family. Theultrasound technician then toldMiller that she had four babies in herwomb.“I never thought there would be

four,” she told Today. “My mother waswith me, and she said, ‘You’re carryingon the tradition!”As shocked as they were, Miller said

she and her husband also felt “veryblessed” by the news.Miller said she went to the doctor’s

office on Dec. 16 expecting a routineprenatal visit. She was 29-weeks preg-

nant at the time. Instead ofthe check-up, doctors toldher that the babies werecoming, according to thereport.The babies were born

minutes apart by cesareansection on Dec. 16, eachweighing between 2 and 3pounds, according to thereport. The family’sOBGYN, Dr. HeatherTurner said the babies arestill in the hospital, but theyare doing really well.“They are our very spe-

cial early Christmas pres-ents,” Turner said. “What aterrific family. This wassomething I’ll probablynever see again in my prac-tice. It was a thrilling expe-

rience.”The Millers said they spent Christ-

mas together in the hospital with theirquadruplets and older son Bentlee, 4.

12 • January 2017 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Metro Voice

The body of Christ has many parts, and it is vital that we all work together toaccomplish the work He has called us to. This is why partnerships are so impor-tant to If Not for Grace (INFG). One of our longest-standing partnerships is withRachel House Pregnancy Resource Centers—a place of refuge and truth forwomen experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.God often uses our pain and struggles to help others. That is why many abor-

tion-wounded women choose to volunteer at pregnancy resource centers likeRachel House. Time and again, women who go through the services at INFGhave shared that they want to help girls who are dealing with an unplanned preg-nancy to make a better decision than they did. They want to be able to share howabortion has negatively affected their lives so these girls won’t have to experiencethe same pain and loss.Last summer, the staff of Rachel House referred several women who wanted

to volunteer at one of their five centers to INFG to participate in our services.Why do they do this? A woman who has received healing from her abortion(s)is a woman who makes a great client advocate. Not only can she share the storyof the struggle caused by her abortion experience, hopefully impacting the clienttoward a positive life choice, but she can also share her testimony of God’s loveand grace after the experience with those who have made an abortion decisionwith a previous pregnancy.For those who have not participated in formal recovery, hearing a similar story

to their own, viewing the fetal models used with the clients, or getting a glimpseof an ultrasound can trigger an emotional reaction they weren’t prepared for. Bygoing through a Her Choice to Heal class and Reconciliation Weekend, God canhelp them process through specific struggles they are having as a result of theirabortion(s) and live free from the emotional triggers that once plagued them.Our mission is to provide opportunities for restoration to the abortion-

wounded and our vision is to see them living authentic, abundant lives; mobilizedfor Kingdom expanding work. We are seeing this vision realized in those who goon to volunteer at Rachel House after walking though the healing journey withIf Not For Grace. Praise be to God!

–Jama Edlund is Her Choice to Heal Coordinator, INFG Ministries

Partnering for Life – Rachel Houseand If Not For Grace Ministries

by Jama Edlund

Quadruplets are Christmas gifts for family

The Miller quadruplets: Brandon, Brayden, Bryant andKenlee

Metro Voice –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– metrovoicenews.com n facebook.com/metrovoicenews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– January 2017 • 13

Considering Adoption?� Learn your options from

a trusted source� Supportive services for both

birth parents and adoptive parents

� Licensed and Hague accredited for those needinghome studies-both domestic

and international

913-383-3337 � www.cfskc.orgsusan@cfskc.org

Serving KS and MO forover 30 years

So often we hear people say they arepro-life. When we ask them what theyare doing about it, they say, “Nothing.”I believe that being prolife means takingan active stand to show that we do toactively show that we believe all life isvaluable. Being pro-life means helpingothers. One way could be volunteeringat a maternity home such as Mother’sRefuge.For example, volunteers babysit. We

have several volunteers that help relievethe mothers while they are studying inschool or just relaxing for a few minutes. Another volunteer opportunity is

through their professional services andexperiences. We often need carpenters,plumbers, electricians, handymen,cooks, hairdressers, and many more.We also need teachers and tutors. If youcall a pro-life ministry to volunteer, youmay not be put to work immediately.We are required to do a backgroundcheck, and sometimes backgroundchecks can take a while. But, don’t get discouraged. If there

is not something for you to do rightthen, you will be put on a call list of peo-ple that are willing to help. So, whenthe garbage disposal isn’t working, thedoor is jammed, or a mom needs tutor-ing, you can help. Many pro-life min-istries are on a very tight budget, andhaving a list of volunteer professionalsto call is a blessing. For instance, one of our young moms

goes to an English-as-a-second-lan-

guage-based GED class. Once a week,we have a dutiful volunteer who comesto babysit. Without her active help, ourstaff would have less times to teachclasses, transport others residents to ap-pointment, or prepare a meal. Another way for volunteers to help

these young mothers is to be a housep-arent helper. This is someone willingto be a second hand to our direct carestaff. At Mother’s Refuge, we call them“life savers”, because they are there tohelp watch the babies, cook a meal, getgirls ready to go on outings, or justavailable to serve. There are manytimes when every mother wishes shehad an extra hand. It’s even more trueto us with a house full of young motherslearning to care for their babies.

While some people may think thatthese young moms should be punishedfor their problem, we at Mother’sRefuge believe that no life is a mistake,and it is a blessing to help these youngmoms turn their lives around. As Jesussaid, “As you do unto the least of these,you do also to me”. Being a pro-life volunteer truly min-

isters to those who are there to get a sec-ond chance at life. If you would like to volunteer at

Mother’s Refuge, contact our VolunteerCoordinator, Katie Early, atKatie@MotherRefuge.org or call her at816-800-0453.–Robert Zornes is Executive Director of

Mother’s Refuge.

Robert Zornes | Mother’s Refuge

BEING PRO-LIFE—MEANS VOLUNTEERING!