Crossroads Connection
A Publication of Crossroads Pregnancy Center
January 2015
“Fighting for Our Faith”
Brad and Jesi Smith
Though their pro-life views were developed long
before their marriage and children, Brad and Jesi
Smith’s fifth child, Faith, tested and ultimately
strengthened those views. Faith was diagnosed
in the womb with “fatal fetal anomalies” and after
birth was genetically tested and found to have
Trisomy 18 and Monosomy 21. Trisomy 18 is the
grave medical condition that also afflicts Bella
Santorum, daughter of pro-life Pennsylvania
Senator Rick Santorum. After enduring pressure
to abort Faith prior to birth and to not treat Faith
throughout her childhood, the Smith’s have
battled to get proper medical treatment for her.
When doctors were withdrawing and withholding
care from Faith, the Smith’s received critical
advice from Rick Santorum that saved Faith’s life.
Brad and Jesi will be sharing their family’s story at
this year’s Banquet.
Please join us at the
31st Annual Benefit
Banquet for Crossroads
Pregnancy Center on
Friday, March 6, 2015,
featuring Brad and Jesi
Smith. This wonderful
event is the most
important fundraiser of
the year for Crossroads.
Seating is limited, so
be sure to reserve your
seat(s) by February 19th.
Adults only please.
RSVP at www.crossroadspregnancy.org, contact
Charlotte at [email protected], or call
248-293-0070 x107. We hope to see you there.
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 1
Brad and Jesi Smith and their children have been
friends of our family for many years. Both our
families have five children, so we understandably
kept crossing paths at various church and social
functions. Our families also shared a common
struggle: we both faced the challenges of having
a child diagnosed with a serious genetic disorder.
Many of the babies like our daughter Cassie and
the Smith’s daughter Faith are aborted. As we
discussed the pressures we both encountered to
withhold treatment from our little girls, a natural
bond formed between us.
Brad became a founding board member of Save
The 1 (www.savethe1.com), an organization I
envisioned to protect children society calls “the
hard cases” but Jesus calls “the least of these.”
Brad and Jesi joined us as national speakers and
bloggers. Many of their blogs went viral when
Lifenews and Lifesitenews posted them. The
Smiths have also spoken extensively not only at
pro-life events but also at hospitals and medical
schools regarding ethics and care for Trisomy
patients.
In 2013, Brad and Jesi were instrumental in
getting a law passed in Michigan known as the
Medical Good-Faith Provisions Act. This law
requires hospitals and doctors to provide their
medical futility policies to parents like the Smiths
allowing them to make more informed decisions
regarding their children’s medical treatment and
to find doctors who are likeminded.
By Rebecca Kiessling, Founder of Save The 1
12/1/14 1:49 PM
2013 Stats
2013 Stats
from the Director’s Desk
from the Director’s Desk
Many times I get asked about what we are doing to prevent lawsuits,
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133 Volunteers
133 Volunteers
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 2
Please pray
pray with us
in in
allall
that
wewe
do.do.
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us that
that God
Godmay
maymake
makeclear
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to
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you
toto
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that
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schemes
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the
devil.
(Ephesians
6:11)
the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
from
fromthe
thevolunteers
volunteers
“I began volunteering at Crossroads 22 years ago, yes….seems impossible! I started
“Iasbegan
volunteering
at Crossroads
22 need
yearsfor
ago,
yes….seems
impossible!
I started
a receptionist,
but quickly
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counselors,
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as
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quicklywomen
realizedwho
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sticks
in
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my mind was pregnant, had an 8 month old son and was feeling pressure to have
my
was She
pregnant,
an 8 to
month
old sonclinic
and where
was feeling
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she realized
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that
she
was
carrying
twins.
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got
up
off
the
table
and
left!
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twin girls are around 20 now. Through it all, God has blessed the work we do here
twin
girls are around
it all,
God
hasforblessed
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werichly
do here
at Crossroads.
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atblessed
Crossroads.
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do the
best we
trust to
God
theofresults.
He has richly
blessed
and
grown
this
ministry,
and
I
am
honored
to
be
a
part
of
it.”
Mary Lou Temple, RN – volunteer counselor
Mary
Lou Temple,
“Volunteering
is a RN
joy –involunteer
a ministrycounselor
that lets me do what I love. Greeting clients,
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areme
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a joy and
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that
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in
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and
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answering the phone, and assisting the staff are opportunities to share the journey
Anderson
volunteer
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glorifying
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words and
deeds.”
Ruth Anderson – volunteer receptionist
12/1/14 1:49 PM
CPC Top Needs
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Prayers
• Of gratitude for how God has blessed this ministry
• That our clients come to know Christ as their Savior and
choose life for their unborn babies
• For healing for those impacted by abortion
• For all CPC clients, support groups, donors, volunteers,
board of directors, staff, and fundraising events
Mom and Baby Care Program
• Baby diapers, wipes, wash cloths, hooded towels,
receiving blankets, diaper bags, and toiletries
• Car seats, swings, bounce seats, and Pack ‘n Plays
• Enfamil powdered formula and baby food
• New or gently used baby clothes, sleepers, sleep sacks,
and outfits size newborn-18 months
Volunteers (Training Provided)
• Counselors
• Receptionists
• Hispanic translators
• Prayer team members
• Ultrasonographers
• Nurses to teach childbirth classes and SHARE program
• Church liaisons
• Team to obtain underwriters and sponsors
• Team to help with fundraising events
Donations
• Underwriters and sponsors for fundraising events
• Ongoing financial support (www.crossroadspregnancy.
org)
Crossroads is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and
a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial
Accountability (ECFA). Your tax-deductible donations are
greatly appreciated.
Golf “Fore” Life
Golfers, this is your chance to play the private R&S Sharf course at
Oakland University. Our Golf “Fore” Life charity outing is scheduled for
Monday, May 11th. Sign-in begins at 8:00 a.m. with a shot-gun start at
9:30 a.m. Space is limited to 120 golfers. Register your foursome today.
To sponsor this event, contact Charlotte by email at cpccharlotte@
gmail.com or call 248-293-0070 ext. 107.
2014 Fundraising Events Recap
In 2014, Crossroads’ five fundraising events (Banquet, Golf, Garden
Party, Bike for Life, and Swim 4 Life) raised over $170,500 for our
ministry needs. If you attended our events, THANK YOU for helping us
give the gift of life to so many in 2014. You are essential to our ministry,
and your support makes everything we do possible. We hope to see
you at our 2015 fundraising events (and we hope you invite a friend).
Bike for Life
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 3
Golf “Fore” Life
An Evening at Oakhurst
CPCalendar
March 6 Benefit Banquet
May 11 Golf “Fore” Life
July 19 An Afternoon at Oakhurst
September 19 Bike for Life
November 7 Prayer Breakfast
Sponsorships
All sponsorship packages are
tax-deductible. To be one of our
sponsors, please contact Charlotte at
[email protected] or 248-2930070 ext. 107.
Other
Post-abortion support groups are
now available at three local churches.
Visit www.crossroadspregnancy.org
to find a group that suits you.
Benefit Banquet
12/1/14 1:49 PM
Sexual Health and Relationship Education
“Let’s talk about sex, baby.” Songs, TV shows, movies – our culture is talking, singing, and engaging in this
topic in ways we have never seen before. Preteens and teens are talking about sex, and it’s important we
are engaged in the conversation. One SHARE instructor noted, “The statistics on teen sexual health are
alarming, and I feel it’s my duty to teach this information so that the next generation cannot say, ‘no one
told me.’ Teaching in the middle and junior high schools has taught me to depend on Christ more because
it’s a spiritual battle to spread this ‘light’ in a dark world. Through teaching, I’m taught to completely
surrender everything to Christ.” – Deborah Leiendecker, RN
The SHARE program is making a difference! We are so thankful that the classroom presentations are
informing students about healthy choices within 50 schools in Oakland County, reaching more than 9,000
students per year.
Middle school students are learning about the importance of guarding their hearts, how STIs are
transmitted, the importance of setting goals, and how to be discerning in their media and entertainment
choices. High school students are challenged by the statistic that 1 in 4 teens is dealing with an STI today.
In the United States
alone...
27,397 TEENS contract a new STI every day!
1, 142 TEENS
contract a new STI every hour!
Students are provided with teaching on teen pregnancy and fetal development. They see models of
babies at various stages of fetal development and are shown the intrinsic value of life at all stages. One of
the highlights is teaching on healthy relationships and why casual sex and hookups don’t bring fulfillment.
Students are encouraged to see their value, to recognize signs of healthy and unhealthy behavior patterns,
and to learn how to resist sexual pressure.
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 4
12/1/14 1:49 PM
Comments from students:
“I loved the way you talked about how we all have value.”
“Loved everything but especially about how to have a good relationship.”
“It was a helpful reminder to not make regretful decisions and
to remember the consequences.”
“I didn’t know waiting for sex was such a great option.”
“Learning to wait and resist the pressure.”
“I loved this one thing that the instructor said and it stayed with me...She said to decide
what you’re worth. If you’re worth a prom ticket, a movie ticket or a wedding ring. Ah,
that got me. I’m even quoting her now!” (A followup conversation indicated that the
student thought sex was no big deal, and she couldn’t wait to lose her virginity. The
presentation changed her entire view of sex. She now sees sex and abstinence in a totally
different way.)
Congratulations to SHARE instructors who have completed and received Sexual Risk Avoidance
Specialist certification this past year through the National Abstinence Education Association!
Did You Know?
➳ SHARE provides each student equal opportunity to receive information that provides optimal
sexual health
➳ Parent workshops are available
➳ SHARE uses a risk avoidance technique rather than risk reduction
➳ SHARE uses medically accurate information in all presentations
➳ SHARE is an interactive teaching program which allows young people to make
decisions for their sexual health based on informed choices
➳ SHARE presentations reflect a respect for the inherent dignity and worth of
every person
➳ Arbor Vitae, a pregnancy center in Ann Arbor, has been trained to teach
the
SHARE program for middle school
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 5
12/1/14 1:49 PM
Board
Directors
Board of
of Directors
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Corinthians 10:31
For the past fifteen years, Ron Daggett has been a member of the Board of Directors at Crossroads
For the past fifteen years, Ron Daggett has been a member of the Board of Directors at Crossroads
Pregnancy Center. Throughout the last twelve years, he has been an officer on the board, and for the
Pregnancy Center. Throughout the last twelve years, he has been an officer on the board, and for the
majority
of those twelve years, he has been the board chairman. He was a driving force in moving the
majority of those twelve years, he has been the board chairman. He was a driving force in moving the
center
building suitable
suitablefor
forproviding
providingultrasounds
ultrasoundstoto
centerfrom
fromRochester
Rochesterto
toAuburn
Auburn Hills
Hills so
so that
that we
we had
had aa building
our
necessary to
to prepare
prepare the
thenew
newbuilding,
building,including
including
ourclients.
clients.He
Hehelped
helpedoversee
oversee all
all the
the renovations
renovations necessary
planning
for construction.
construction.
planningthe
thenew
newlayout
layoutand
andpreparing
preparing the
the drawings
drawings for
Ron
guidingthem
themto
toaim
aimthe
thecenter
centertoward
towardGod
God
Ronhas
hasmentored
mentoredthree
threeof
ofCrossroads’
Crossroads’ executive
executive directors,
directors, guiding
and
and became
becamelike
likeaafather
fathertotothem.
them.He
Hehelped
helped
andnothing
nothingelse.
else.He
Heprayed
prayedwith
with them,
them, corrected
corrected them,
them, and
them
to preach
preach Christ
Christ to
toall
allwho
whocame
camethrough
throughour
our
themtotosee
seeGod’s
God’svision
visionfor
for the
the center
center and
and the
the need
need to
doors.
was helping
helping make
make possible
possibleall
allthe
theservices
servicesthat
thatwe
we
doors.Even
Eventhough
thoughthe
theclients
clients never
never knew
knew it,
it, Ron
Ron was
now
nowoffer.
offer.
During
bless Crossroads
Crossroadsmore
morethan
thanwe
wecould
couldhave
haveever
ever
DuringRon’s
Ron’stenure
tenureas
aschairman,
chairman, God
God has
has seen fit to bless
imagined.
the SHARE
SHARE (Sexual
(Sexual Health
Healthand
andRelationship
Relationship
imagined.Our
Ourclient
clientnumbers
numbers have
have increased
increased fourfold, the
Education)program
programhas
hasincreased
increased twenty-five-fold,
twenty-five-fold, and the
Education)
the staff
staff has
has increased
increasedfrom
fromaafew
fewpart-time
part-time
employees,totoseven
sevenpart-time,
part-time, one
one full-time,
full-time, and a dozen
employees,
dozen teachers
teachers in
in the
theSHARE
SHAREprogram.
program.We
Wehave
have
expandedthe
thematerial
materialportion
portion of
of our
our services
services to its own building
expanded
building where
wherewe
weprovide
provideour
ourclients
clientswith
with
tensofofthousands
thousandsofofclothing
clothingitems
items every
every year,
year, as well as diapers,
tens
diapers, car
carseats,
seats,books,
books,toys,
toys,and
andmore.
more.
Justtotobe
beclear,
clear,Ron
Rondid
didnot
notdo
doall
all this
this by
by himself.
himself. God
God opened
Just
opened the
the doors
doorsto
toallow
allowthese
theseblessings,
blessings,and
and
Ron’s
wife
Judy
stood
with
him
all
the
way.
Ron
would
be
the
first
to
tell
you
that
Judy
is
as
much
Ron’s wife Judy stood with him all the way. Ron would be the first to tell you that Judy is as mucha a
guidingforce
forceatatCrossroads
Crossroadsas
ashe
heis.
is. No,
No, as
as he
he was.
was. As
guiding
As of
of December
December31,
31,2014,
2014,Ron
Ronstepped
steppeddown
downfrom
from
all
his
duties
here
and
will
be
sorely
missed.
There
are
very
few
individuals
associated
with
the
center
all his duties here and will be sorely missed. There are very few individuals associated with the center
whohave
havenot
notbeen
beenimpacted
impactedby
byhim.
him. He
He has
has been
been one
who
one of
of God’s
God’s faithful
faithfulservants
servantsworking
workingon
onbehalf
behalfofof
Crossroads,seeking
seekingto
todo
doall
allto
tothe
the glory
glory of
of God.
God. SO,
SO, PLEASE
Crossroads,
PLEASE THANK
THANKHIM
HIMWHEN
WHENYOU
YOUSEE
SEEHIM.
HIM.
THANKYOU
YOUto
toall
allwho
whogave
gave generously
generously to
THANK
to Crossroads.
Crossroads. Each
Eachgift
giftisisan
anexpression
expression
yourvalues,
values,priorities,
priorities, and
and gratitude
gratitude for
ofofyour
for God’s
God’s blessings
blessingsininyour
yourlife.
life.Giving
Giving
waytotoworship
worshipGod
God and
and strengthen
strengthen our
isisaaway
our community,
community,as
asevery
everygift
giftblesses
blesses
others. We are blessed to count you as one of our supporters.
others. We are blessed to count you as one of our supporters.
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 6
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 6
12/1/14 1:49 PM
12/1/14 1:49 PM
2014 Memorial Gifts
May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 115:15
In Memory of Andy Anderson
Ruth Anderson
In Honor of Mary Berckley
Steven Gallegos, Sr.
In Memory of Charlene Cusick
Thomas Cusick
In Honor of Beth Collison
Barry & Cheryl Doherty
In Memory of Richard Lindner
Michael & Marchann Simon
In Honor of Carol Reimann
Christopher Reimann
John & Gerriann Reimann
In Memory of Joan Pistonetti
Tina Persha
Michael & Karen Somerville
In Honor of 40th Wedding Anniversary
Alton & Deborah Hayes
In Memory of Baby C
Anonymous
Memorial donations are a life-affirming way to honor deceased loved ones, celebrate important events
and recognize special people. Thank you for these precious gifts.
Planned Giving
by Jill Vandermuelen, Board of Directors Member
There are many essential components to Crossroads keeping our doors open. The most important is
your prayers. Another important component is your treasure. We are so blessed with the countless
prayers and treasures, and the numerous other ways our donors contribute to allow us to do God’s
work. We are thankful for your generous contributions.
CPC would like to ask you to consider an option that would allow us to have the resources needed to
continue to carry out our ministry in the many years to come through planned giving, something that
may be beneficial to both you and CPC. Through a will, trust, IRA, 401(k), life insurance, charitable gift
annuity, or charitable trust, you may be able make a gift to CPC and save on your taxes.
Planned giving does not have to be complicated. In order to assess the options most beneficial to you,
we suggest you consult your attorney or financial advisor.
If you have any questions about CPC, our mission, our ministry, or our goals for the future, please contact
Tim Stickel, Executive Director, at [email protected] or 248-293-0070 x 109. Please remember CPC staff
and volunteers cannot provide legal or financial advice. May God bless you as you prayerfully consider a
planned gift to Crossroads.
Newsletter Template 2015.indd 7
12/1/14 1:49 PM
Our Proudly Pro-Life Sponsors
95bits
Avalon Tools, Inc.
“Be There” Foundation
Benson’s Building Supply Corp.
C12 Group, www.C12Detroit.com
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
Dave & Ann Strubler
Dion & Denise Roddy
Dr. Daniel & Liza Greene
Eric & Michelle Watterworth
Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Gates Corporation
Geary & Sandy Maiuri
Gerald & Margaret Matthes
Gil & Eileen Kruper
Gingellville Community Church
Glencorp, Inc.
Grassroots Technology
Heath Press
Indianwood Golf & Country Club
Ingenuity Group, LLC
Loree Frank
MarcoArtPhotography
Marie Schwartz
Mark & Marcie Moreno
Mona Brown
North Oaks Community Church
Oakland-Macomb OBGYN, Dr. Stark
Patrice Sinclair
Pete & Vicki Mendler
Rich & Nikki Van Daele
Rick & Susan Tatro
Ron & Judy Daggett
The Give Thanks Bakery
The Royal Park Hotel
Tom & Christine Spix
Tullymore Golf Resort
Yates Cider Mill
Your tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated by our clients who have chosen life for their babies.
Help us by sponsoring a 2015 fundraising event!
Contact Charlotte at [email protected] or call 248-293-0070 x107.
Crossroads Mission Statement: We are a non-profit, Christian organization dedicated to assisting abortion-vulnerable women and men
involved in a crisis pregnancy, to choose life for their unborn children. Toward that end, we are committed to encouraging godly sexual
attitudes and practices in our community.
Return Service Requested
www.crossroadspregnancy.org
[email protected]
Crossroads Pregnancy Center
3205 South Boulevard
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Rochester, MI
Permit No. 2126
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