Becky Smith and Sonja Hegwood joined Kim Ketola to talk about their ministry to women facing abortion.
During the early 80’s, abortion was on the rise. At an Atlanta abortion clinic, Becky Smith experienced abortion firsthand. She was not a patient. She was a telephone counselor.
Becky wanted to do something to help women and girls who were choosing abortion because they thought they had no other choice. According to research Becky discovered at the time, over 80% of abortions fall into this category. She began gathering support to start the Pregnancy Resource Center of Henry County which ultimately opened in October of 1993. Over twenty years later that center is going strong, and now offering ultrasounds along with numerous educational and client advocacy services. Since 2009 Founder Becky Smith has served as Executive Director.
Becky’s center is part of a network of help encompassing thousands of centers offering free care to anyone who needs help. As the movement has matured, many centers now include outreach efforts for fathers, parenting classes, referrals for adoption services and abstinence education in cooperation with local school districts. There is a growing international presence as well.
Sonja Hegwood joined the staff of the PRC of Henry County in January 2012 as the Abstinence Program coordinator, after having volunteered for approximately five years. Prior to joining the staff of The PRC, she taught preschool at Salem Baptist Weekday preschool. She attended Henry County High School and attended Clayton College and State University.
As Abstinence Program Coordinator, Sonja oversees a program that reaches approximately 2000 local students each year. Some of her duties include teaching, coordinating classes, and training volunteers. Sonja’s heart is in sharing the positive option of abstinence until marriage with students and adults. Sonja has been happily married to Robbie Hegwood for the past 17 years and they have three children, Mike, Ashley, and Cody. A member of Salem Baptist Church, she enjoys reading, playing flute, and teaching.
These women and thousands of others like them are having a real impact by offering help and support to those in need during an untimely pregnancy and across the spectrum of choices young women and men are faced with on a daily basis. Learn about what drives them and what they see for the future of the next generation as they join Kim Ketola on Cradle My Heart:
