Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Pregnancy Centers Get Boost with New Partnership at Care Net National Conference



Christian Leadership Alliance and EvanTell come alongside movement with new resources, programs, and training

BALTIMORE, MD, Sept. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net will celebrate its 26th National Pregnancy Center Conference on Sept. 9-12, 2009 in Baltimore, MD, attracting more than 900 individuals from across North America for training, worship, inspiration, and encouragement. Despite a down economy and a changing political climate, the pregnancy center movement is alive and well, thanks to the support of individuals, foundations, and organizations providing new partnerships and resources to support its critical work. 

"Care Net could not be more thrilled to see such amazing organizations come alongside our nation's pregnancy centers, providing organizational excellence and mission-critical resources," said Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde. "It is evidence that our movement is growing stronger as more people catch the vision for reaching out with compassion and help to those facing unplanned pregnancies."

While full details will be revealed at the conference, two national organizations will announce new partnerships and programs to support the pregnancy center movement.

  • Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA), the nation's leading knowledge resource for enhancing the organizational effectiveness of Christian nonprofit organizations, and Care Net will partner to provide Care Net pregnancy centers with best practices for operational excellence, resources, and training. 

  • EvanTell, one of the foremost evangelism training and resource ministries in the world, is partnering with Care Net to launch a new online training program and a wide array of resources to equip pregnancy center peer counselors to share the Gospel with those they serve.

These new partnerships add to the growing support for pregnancy centers from groups like Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, Alliance Defense Fund, Americans United for Life, and Christian Legal Society. 

The Care Net conference will also feature on Thursday evening a pre-screening of a new pro-life film, "Sarah's Choice" and a guest appearance by lead actress and Christian singer Rebecca St. James. Conference keynote speakers include the Honorable Marilyn Musgrave, author of unChristian David Kinnaman, Melinda Delahoyde, Star Parker, Ellie Lofaro, and Pastor Herb Lusk of People for People, Inc. 

The conference will culminate on Saturday evening with an awards banquet honoring both pregnancy center directors as well as pro-life leaders who have significantly supported the movement. 

For complete conference information, visit 
www.care-net.org/events/conference

Contact: Kristin Hansen for on-site press badge, (703) 554-8742.