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Thriving in Babylon: Lessons from Daniel

by Dr. Laura Lewis, Executive Director of Pregnancy Care Canada2025 04 PCC Conference 00127

We are in a Daniel time, not an Esther moment, and there are many lessons we can learn from Daniel's story. 

When King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem, Daniel and other young men were captured and thrown into the culture of Babylon, a culture that opposed their faith. Yet, God elevated Daniel to influence four different government administrations over nearly 70 years. He went from being a prisoner of war to an influential leader. 

Daniel gained favor and influence even while living as a stranger in a hostile land, not only because of his gifts but also because of his character and integrity. His life serves as a powerful example for us as we strive to engage with integrity and compassion to influence our communities and nation, allowing us to lead a broken culture rather than be led by it. 

Daniel’s heart remained devoted to God, even under pressure. His highest priority was not to gain influence with people, but to stay faithful to God, seeking the Lord before he spoke and exalting and glorifying Him. His example teaches us that when we do what is right, we can trust God to handle the outcome.

Daniel served with integrity. He was not for sale.

We may be tempted to waver for cultural acceptance or financial gain. However, there is a major difference between wisely discerning how to engage with a broken and unbelieving community and compromising for the applause or finances of man. Before doing anything, let us respond as Daniel did—in prayer.

We are to lead culture, not be led by it. To influence, not conform. 

Daniel understood how to build bridges. He led with wisdom and humility, which resulted in people trusting him. When people trust you, your influence grows—even in a corrupt and broken society. 

At Pregnancy Care Canada, we also aim to be bridge builders by:

  • Bridging the digital reach through social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. We want to meet this generation where they hang out and provide trustworthy information and help.
  • Bridging the gaps geographically with understanding by equipping churches and strengthening connections with local centers.
  • Bridging services. We appreciate the expertise of many others working in the pregnancy help space and are thankful to collaborate with them.

Our actions don’t need to be grand or heroic, but they must be grounded in love. If we fail to understand love, nothing else truly matters. Our culture, our Babylon, is desperate for a manifestation of God's goodness.

One woman recently told me that the work done each day in local pregnancy care centers is one of the purest expressions of the gospel she has seen. Let us protect this space.

If we are willing to turn away from compromise, serve with integrity, build bridges, and choose to love as Jesus did, we will position ourselves for the long arc of influence and favour that will impact a broken world.

2025 04 PCC Conference 00042       2025 04 PCC Group shot 00002

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Impacting Canada through new initiatives: the French Translation Project and Healing Conversations!

 

 Below is an update from CAPSS, one of Heartbeat International's Joint Affiliation Partners:

 

 

Behind the Scenes

 

At the end of January, we launched the 2018 CAPSS National Conference website! The conference is happening April 17-20 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This is a very important equipping and encouraging time for pregnancy care centre staff, board, and volunteers! We are excited about the speakers and workshops, and we are looking forward to connecting as one unified group. This conference is only possible because of the ongoing support you provide! So, thank you! We will be sure to report back to you on conference in the next newsletter.

     We are also excited about a new opportunity - the French Translation Project! Quebec is a big province, and yet there are only two CAPSS-affiliated pregnancy care centres there. We know there is interest and a great need to establish more. In order to do this effectively and with excellence, CAPSS manuals need to be translated into French. This is a big undertaking, but we know God will provide. You can read more about this project in the Ask Dr. Laura section below!          

 

Life News

     On any given Sunday, if statistics are even slightly accurate, thousands of post-abortive women are sitting in church buildings across Canada. If abortion is not discussed with mercy and compassion, or not discussed at all, these women can feel silenced and disqualified from having a deeper faith journey.

     So then, "How can the church speak mercy, forgiveness, healing, and grace to the post-abortive woman, so she can embrace the freedom and love promised to all who trust in Jesus Christ?"

     In February, CAPSS released Healing Conversations, a video and booklet created to help pastors and those in the church start conversations on the topic of abortion. These resources are designed to inform and educate on the realities of abortion in Canada, introduce ways the Canadian church can approach this subject, and encourage partnership with local pregnancy care centres.

     The Healing Conversations video is shown below. It can be downloaded here and it is available to view on the CAPSS website, where you will also find an application form to order the booklet. This booklet is an excellent resource on the status of abortion in Canada, post-abortion stress, and how to start the conversation.

     Please contact us if you have questions or to give feedback on these new resources! 

     We envision that as the church and pregnancy care ministries collaborate, thousands of post-abortive women will find hope, healing, and forgiveness. Thank you for partnering with us to start and facilitate healing conversations.

 

Making an Impact

 

     Every year we gather statistics from CAPSS-affiliated pregnancy care centres. We look for impact in areas such as client visits, babies born, material supports, post-abortion counselling, healthy relationship presentations, and clients who were presented the gospel. We are currently collecting this information and will be sharing this with you soon in the CAPSS Annual Report! 

     But even more telling than compiled numbers is the difference your support is making in individual lives. Your support equips pregnancy care centres to provide the best care possible and reach those who are in need of help. Please be blessed and encouraged by the client quotes below, shared by one of our affiliated centres:
  • Thank you so much. The pregnancy care centre is full of wonderful caring people that allow parents to find their own path and help along the way! Without judgment they help many families grow and prosper - thank you!
  • My experience with the pregnancy care centre was excellent. I went there when I was 3 months pregnant. They did great counselling, motivated me a lot, and since it was an unplanned pregnancy, things were different. But through the guidance and counselling things went smooth. Now my baby is 2 months old. So happy to be loved and supported by the pregnancy care centre. Thank you so much.
  • I could say many things about how you welcomed me and made me feel like my son was worthy of celebration; but when it comes right down to it, you helped save his life. Thank you is not sufficient. 
This is the difference you are making. Thank you!

 

Ask Dr. Laura

 

Q:  What can you tell us about the French Translation Project?

A:  Many years ago I worked as an au pair in France. It was an interesting year filled with opportunity, hardship, and many lessons in life. Even after living among French speaking individuals for the greater part of one year, I still found it difficult to discuss matters that had emotional depth or nuance. I didn't understand the language well enough.
 
     We are blessed to live in a bilingual nation. I love and value the diversity of the Quebecois culture and language. Sadly, even though Quebec has approximately the same incidence of abortion as several other provinces, it has very little pregnancy care support for individuals struggling with an unplanned pregnancy.
 
     Recently, there has been both interest and initiatives that have brought CAPSS into the awareness that we can do more - and we want to do more to help! One of the best ways we can begin this effort is to provide quality French language resources. And so, we have begun our French Translation Project! We have a skilled translator lined up and we have key documents that are being prepared for translation - specifically our Essentials Manual, which is a comprehensive "how to" manual for communities looking to establish a pregnancy care centre.

     We are excited to see what God is doing and how He will change hearts and save lives in Quebec!

 

 

 
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CAPSS Newsletter December 2017


 


Behind the Scenes


     Thank you to everyone who replied to our survey questions. We loved hearing from you!

     Based on your feedback, we are considering changing to a bi-monthly newsletter in the new year, and we will be sure to identify specific areas of need when asking for support. We are happy to hear that just like us, establishing centres and equipping and encouraging centre staff is very important to YOU! Thank you for caring and being committed to this ministry.

     Please contact us at anytime to give further feedback or if you have any questions. You can connect with us via email at admin@capss.com or by phone at 1-866-845-2151.

     This past month we've been busy planning for CAPSS National Conference in April, creating new resources (see below in "Making an Impact"), and Dr. Laura has had a number of speaking engagements! We're thankful for these opportunities to establish excellence and create awareness.

Life News    

     Sometimes the headlines and the news can be pretty discouraging. But there are many life affirming and celebratory stories out there, they just don't usually make the news! So this month we want to share one of these stories with you.

     We want to introduce you to Christina and Alora, clients of one of our affiliated centres. This is the impact you are making when you help to establish and equip pregnancy care centres. You are helping real people like Christina and changing lives. Thank you!
Christina and Alora


Making an Impact

 
     One of the most impactful and far-reaching things you do is help establish pregnancy care centres. We know that you believe every individual, in every community, should have access to the education and support that pregnancy care centres offer. Everyone should have the freedom to make a life affirming choice.

     With this in mind, last month we created a new brochure - "Who will help her?" - to explain why centres are needed, the steps to take to establish one, and the difference a centre can make. We've included pictures of the brochure below.

     If you would like to order a brochure or would like more information, go to the CAPSS website or phone Susan at the CAPSS office (1-866-845-2151). We are here to help!
 

Ask Dr. Laura


Q:  Looking back on 2017, what are you most thankful for?

A:  I'm most thankful for the growing momentum in the pregnancy care movement across our nation. And I'm so thankful for the way the Lord has connected us with one another! "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall" (Nehemiah 4:19-20). Yet we are linked - arm in arm with others who remain hopeful that no life is undeserving of help and no choice is too far from the redemptive power of God.


Recommended Reads
 
 
 
Give Support Now

How you can make a difference:


DONATE.
CAPSS receives no government funding and is 100% donor supported. Consistent monthly support is needed!

Monthly Partners provide CAPSS with stability and a solid foundation on which to plan and move forward. Please consider committing to monthly support of $25, $50, $100, or more.

PRAYER SUPPORT.
We need intercessors to pray for CAPSS and for those on the front lines. Your prayer support is essential!

CONNECT.
We need you to tell others about the work being done! Please share this newsletter, our website, and our Facebook page with others who care about supporting life choices.

 

 

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A Flawed Law: Canadian “Bubble Zone” Doesn’t Protect Women

Click here to read "A Flawed Law: Canadian 'Bubble Zone' Doesn’t Protect Women" on Pregnancy Help News.

 

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Extra! Extra! Read All About Our International Partners

 Below are a few of our international partners' newsletters and updates, which may be of interest to you:

Click here for Be'ad Chaim Newsletters and Updates.

Click here for news from Centros de Ayuda para la Mujer (CAM).

Click here for the Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services (CAPSS) monthly newsletter.

Click here for the Pregnancy Help Australia (PHA) Newsletters.

Click here for ProVida's news section.

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Pregnancy Care Canada

PCC logo FEB20 CircleCheck out PregnancyCareCanada.ca to see the good work and exciting initiatives of our friend Dr. Laura Lewis, Executive Director, and her team at Pregnancy Care Canada (formerly The Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services CAPSS) and the associated pregnancy centres. We also are excited about our joint affiliation agreement whereby all Pregnancy Care Canada affiliates gain affiliation with Heartbeat International for no additional cost.

Click here to visit the Pregnancy Care Canada website.

 

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