As part of IFA’s efforts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this July, we launched The American Spiritual Heritage Project, the nation’s first database dedicated to recording the testimonies of how God has blessed our country from its founding to today. The project is fueled by intercessors like you who submit their stories of God’s faithfulness, and every week we’re highlighting a story that speaks to us. If you want to be on our map and have a chance to be featured, add your story here: rededicateamerica.com

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This week, we have a submission in Multnomah, Oregon, from Dee Dee S. about the development of Christian crisis pregnancy centers and pro-life ministries in response to changing cultural attitudes toward abortion. 

Recount

During the 1980s and 1990s, Portland-area evangelical Christians established several crisis pregnancy centers and pro-life ministries in response to the growing availability of abortion services and changing cultural attitudes toward unborn life. These ministries reflected the broader evangelical engagement with social issues. 

The crisis pregnancy centers provided free pregnancy testing, counseling, and practical support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. They emphasized alternatives to abortion while providing material assistance and emotional support to mothers and families in need. 

These ministries represented a significant mobilization of Portland-area evangelical Christians around pro-life concerns and demonstrated the practical application of biblical values regarding the sanctity of human life. They established a foundation for ongoing conservative Christian engagement with cultural and political issues in the region. 

Reclaim

1. Pray for hearts in Portland to be stirred with the same conviction that motivated evangelical Christians in the 1980s to establish crisis pregnancy centers throughout the metro area. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
— Jeremiah 1:5 (NASB) 

2. Consider how these ministries demonstrated practical love through free pregnancy testing, counseling, and material support, and pray for similar stories of compassion and life-affirming ministry today. 

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
— 1 John 3:18 (NKJV) 

3. Pray for pastors, families, and youth in Portland to embrace the commitment to protecting vulnerable life that was demonstrated by those early crisis pregnancy center founders. 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
— Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) 

Rededicate

Father God, it is so encouraging to know that Portland, now known as a far-left bastion, once had such a powerful testimony within its borders. We want to recount and reclaim the faith of these past believers and the blessings you gave them. Most of all, Lord, we want to see true change in Portland. We want to see this city once again protect its unborn. Today, Father, we rededicate Portland to You. Let us be Your hands and feet, and let Your will be done in this city.

You can add your own story here and find yourself on our Spiritual Heritage map! rededicateamerica.com

What did you think of this story? Share your own spiritual heritage in the comments below!

(Photo Credit: Spicypepper999 – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149330851)