Amber's Story

Brenda's Story

Katie's Story

Rebecca's Story

Testimony of a birth mother

Medina County Marriage Coalition

Divine Appointments

How do I begin to thank everyone at the Oaks center for everything you have done for my family. I never thought or knew that there was help like this out there until I found all of you! Your classes gave me knowledge on all the new techniques to help me with the twins. And your kindness and Love gave me hope for the future! I don't know what I would do if you all were not here for me! Thank you so much for all of the wonderful things you do for so many people every day?
All of my love, TD

Thanksgiving is a time to say "Thank you" for all the blessings that God has given you. When my daughter, and I walked into your office in May and asked for help with her unplanned pregnancy, you calmed my tears. You gave my daughter the strength to say "NO" to her dad who wanted her to have an abortion. I received the greatest blessings, my grand baby was born. He is such a joy in my life. Thank you for all that you give to our community and to the people who need your service.
Gratefully, ZN

No matter what version of the Bible I use, the message is the same. There is a way that seems right, but it leads to death. As a freshman in college facing an unintended pregnancy, abortion seemed like the right thing to do. Abortion seemed like the reasonable path for me to take. Actually, it seemed like the only thing to do. After all, I had my whole life in front of me. I wasn’t ready for marriage or a baby. My pregnancy was a mistake and abortion would fix it. And so I did what was right in my own eyes and aborted my child. I put that experience behind me and went on with my life. I kept the secret of my abortion buried deeply inside of me and never spoke of it to anyone.

When I was baptized into the Christian faith, the main sin I felt washed clean of was my abortion. I received God’s forgiveness. For the next year and a half I immersed myself in Bible study. The Word of God began to change my heart. By January of 2008, God was calling me to deal with my abortion. I knew that I was forgiven, but I also knew that I was not healed. My abortion was still a secret. The enemy had a grip on my heart that could only be broken through the healing power of Christ.

I came across a Bible study called: "Surrendering the Secret – Healing from the Heartbreak of Abortion." Using the Word of God, Surrendering the Secret (STS) walked me through an incredible healing journey. The eight part study walked me through my past abortion, the truth about abortion, my anger, my need to forgive and my need for forgiveness, my identity in Christ, grief for my aborted child, and my mission for Christ. I began this journey with the horrible secret of my abortion and I ended the journey in victory.

It is estimated that 43% of American women have had an abortion. Some of us are Christians or later became Christians. Many women never reach for healing because of the shame and secrecy surrounding abortion. Many of us prefer to keep our abortion in the past where we think it can’t hurt us or our spouse or our children. My own husband did not know about my abortion until a couple of years ago. I kept my secret for 33 years. Many women suffer in silence from an abortion. Fear of the secret getting out keeps us in bondage. I want you to know that Jesus has more than forgiveness for you. Jesus has healing – complete healing – and freedom from the power of the secret.

If you are a woman who needs this kind of healing, you can receive it through STS. The STS Bible study is offered on an on-going basis. It is confidential and you can begin your healing journey by calling me: Deb Marshall at 330-887-1072. Or you can call the Oaks Family Care Center at 330-220-7777.