By Jack Krayenhoff

THE PRO-LIFE movement has a different face from when it first started.

Many hoped that, given the number of professing  Christians in its leadership, the resurgent Conservative Party would take a firmer stand for the rights of the unborn.

That hope was not fulfilled.

It seemed that the political approach, involving protests and marches, had failed.

Moreover, many Christians had become uncomfortable with the negative approach  exemplified by slogans such as ‘Abortion is murder.’

While abortion is, in truth, murder, pro-abortion forces have depicted that approach as an example of uncaring neglect of the plight of the pregnant woman. No one wants to be seen as negative.

Now, many Christians have found a positive approach – and in Victoria, that is expressed by Options Pregnancy Centre (formerly known as Crisis Pregnancy Centre).

The facility is located in a mall on Admirals Road, close to the intersection with Craigflower Road, and the new director is Stephanie Timmerman.

John Wenman, chair of the board, says she is ideally suited for the job, and that the centre has gone from strength to strength since her arrival one year ago – because of her enthusiasm.

BCCN went to the centre to witness her work first-hand. 

Timmerman is a middle-aged, very warm and maternal woman, who is passionate about her work. She is, of course, pro-life; but first of all, her heart goes out to the young women (mostly  20 – 25 year olds) who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy.

“Our role is to show love, grace, mercy and compassion – no judgment,” she says.

“Sometimes we do the pregnancy test, and when the woman finds out it is positive, that can be a moment of absolute panic and fear.

“Then we ask the Holy Spirit where he wants us to go, and that means that often the girl is the leader of that conversation. It is a privilege to be part of a woman’s life at such an intimate and often frightening moment.

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“I have two children, and I can remember the day I found out I was pregnant. It’s a powerful time in every woman’s life.”

So, being accepting and loving toward the woman comes first. The opportunity to influence her to save the baby’s life may arise, as the woman asks what abortion is like; then the counsellor may speak about that, and perhaps show her models of the developing baby.

Or the counsellor may ask: “What are your options?”

That will open up a discussion of the possibilities, and the counsellor might say, “If I could make the decision for you, I would decide for the baby.”

Timmerman comments, “It’s a fine line. We don’t want to create any spirit of judgment. Our call is to be client-focused, not to protest.”

This type of counselling is a one-time thing, though Timmerman wants to offer further practical help along the way – with food, diapers and more.

She also does post-abortion counselling, and that typically requires six sessions. These sessions are very healing, she finds.

The other ministry of the centre is making presentations to high schools and churches, and Bridgit Sainsbury has taken that on this year.

It is not sex education – that is done by nurses – but rather, a discussion of the advantages of abstinence, and the dangers of thoughtless sex: unwanted pregnancies, and the trauma of broken relationships. Ten schools have opened their doors to this program. 

Plans for the future?

Timmerman would like many more volunteers, not only for the counselling (more than 300 women in 2007), but also young moms to act as long-term mentors, as well as prenatal counselling, financial counselling, public speaking and fund raising.

She also would love to offer support groups. Most of all, she is deeply aware of the centre’s need for prayer.

A final appeal comes from John Wenman: for more board members.

They need to be Christians dedicated to the pro-life cause, who have some business acumen or good connections with the medical world.

Stephanie Timmerman would love to hear from you:        250-380-6883. Website: www.optionspregnancy.org.

January 2008