Council for Life is blessed and proud to have a new affiliate in Central Texas. CFL Central Texas is based in Waco and includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Limestone and McLennan Counties. CFL Central Texas has formed an outstanding Board of Directors consisting of well-respected Waco community leaders and hosted several events. On May 17, 2023, CFL Central Texas will hold its biggest fundraising event ever with their Celebrating Life Luncheon. For Additional Information Click Here and To Sponsor Click Here
Email CFL Central Texas at cflctx@yahoo.com or mail them at: 208 Hewitt Drive, Suite 103, No. 147, Waco, Texas 76712.
What a difference a year makes. So is the case for Council for Life Central Texas’ 2021 and 2022 Education Events, which occur every November.
Our 2021 event happened to be on the eve of the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. That night and many days and years before, we prayed fervently that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Fast forward to our November 3, 2022, event, set in the same glorious lake-view home as in 2021. God answered our prayer. Individual states now have the full power to regulate abortion, making abortion illegal in the Great State of Texas except in rare instances.
To educate Central Texans on what overturning Roe means to Texas women, Council for Life Central Texas convened a panel moderated by Harris Creek Baptist Church Lead Pastor Johnathan Pokluda (JP).
JP asked Dr. Zachery Pettis what circumstances a Texas physician can perform an abortion. Dr. Pettis read from House Bill 1280, “The patient has a life-threatening condition and may be at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.”
Dr. Pettis said a severe uterine infection or severe uterine bleeding are considered life-threatening conditions. He also said the new law has not changed how ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages are treated.
JP asked Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas CEO Deborah McGregor Caperton how the new law impacted her work and what changes she has seen in clients, donors, and volunteers. Caperton said there were 1,200 abortions in Waco in 2021 and the years prior. She said, “Now, the babies are coming. The babies are coming!” Caperton says Waco will see many more babies born, with only a short window to figure out how to care for them and get the moms and dads ready, so the babies are born into a safe and stable home.
She suggests a return to “neighbor helping neighbor” rather than depending on the government because the current generation of moms feels isolated because they are coming out of COVID-19 and dealing with inflation.
“Roe is gone, but the work to build a culture of life in this country is far from finished, and the needs for women, men, and babies in Texas have skyrocketed,” said Lisa Chenot, president of the Council for Life Central Texas Board of Directors. “We pray our discussions will help educate and motivate us.”
Vincent Carpenter, Elder and Director of Pastoral Care at Antioch Church, led the group in prayer.
Approximately 75 people attended the event, many of whom brought baby essentials and gift cards donated to Care Net.
TFNB Your Bank for Life provided audio/visuals.
In November 2019, more than 100 Waco residents braved the rainy weather to learn about Council for Life at the home of Betsy and Clifton Robinson. Forty-three event host couples, as well as others, generously contributed seed money to launch the Waco affiliate, all of which will aid Waco area efforts and agencies as they relate to unplanned pregnancies.
The Waco gathering ended beautifully when Chairwomen Lisa Chenot and Sally Bledsoe and TFNB Your Bank for Life CEO and President, David Littlewood, presented checks to Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas and Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
Attendees were inspired by Council for Life Founder Emeritus Ann Carruth’s introductory remarks about Council for Life’s founding 18 years ago in Dallas by a small group of Christian women who were deeply disturbed and grieved by the devastation of abortion.
Attendees were further inspired by two poignant stories from Claudia Jones and her husband, Philip, an attorney turned minister, and Le’yandria Ratomski.
Listen to Founder Emeritus Ann Carruth’s introductory remarks about Council for Life’s start, and two poignant stories that brought to life our mission and why our presence in Waco is so very needed.