Dear brothers and sisters,
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Matthew 5:11
My name is Heather Vasquez and I am the Director of your local pro-life medical and social services clinic. Many of you know me or if not me, you know the clinic and have worked and supported our pro-life mission for many years. You may even have attended the Gala we just had in September celebrating 25 years! For that thank you.
It has come to my attention that sadly there are those in our local churches who are seeking to discredit and slander our good name. We do not know who is doing this, though we have a few suspicions; we only know that we’ve had a few instances of historically supportive familiar church staff and ministries notifying us that “they heard we are promoting abortions”. That we in fact “referred someone for an abortion” and that “Next Step promotes abortion as an option”.
Every instance has been an evil lie set to sow doubt and division between those who defend life. We have been falsely accused and slandered for our work.
I felt as Director of this beautiful and life-affirming clinic I needed to speak out.
Next Step Pregnancy Services (previously known as Angelorum) is now and has always been a pro-life organization fighting for and defending life born and unborn. We have never, and will never, refer for or promote the abhorrent act of abortion. Our nurses, our provider, our staff, our volunteers are heavily vetted. There is not one person speaking for our clinic that does not feel strongly about the conviction of life and its sacredness in all stages.
I can’t help but take these attacks so very personally. I am here every day. Seeing the women and families coming in. Hearing their stories. Hearing our nurses and staff answer. And listen. And pray. I do know that Satan is at work here. That is a fact. And the enemy despises places like ours because we give people hope. And hope is not what Satan wants because with hope there is no despair and despair separates us from the love of Christ.
I am asking for your help. Please pray for the protection of Next Step and its work. Please pray for the attacks to be thwarted and for the truth to be our shield. We are under His care and protection. Please pray that the person or persons spreading these falsehoods is otherwise convicted and if there are questions or concerns about our work here that they seek the answers from a place of truth rather than a place of fear and apathy.
Many thanks to you all and for the immense support your churches and your church families have always given Next Step Pregnancy Services. I do hope you can pass this “letter” on to your fellow staff and ministries as well as your pastors. The truth needs to be spread far and wide.
Thank you
Heather M Vasquez
Executive Director
Next Step Pregnancy Services
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