Fathers: The deciding factor for life

Across the nation, pro-life pregnancy clinics form the front line in the battle against abortion. In 2023, the Charlotte Lozier Institute, America’s leading source for scientific and medical research on the sanctity of human life, found that there were more than 2,700 pro-life pregnancy centers in the U.S., staffed by thousands of health practitioners and volunteers. These centers are credited with saving over 800,000 lives between 2016 and 2020.

What happens in these clinics often goes beyond physical concerns into the realm of ministry and gospel-centered discipleship. Andrea Powell, executive director of Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic in Tupelo, Mississippi, spoke to The Stand about the spiritual aspect of pro-life work.

“When we work with expectant couples, we always try to get them connected to a church,” Powell said, “because I believe crisis pregnancy centers can be the bridge from an unplanned pregnancy to the church. We want to get them connected to a place where they can be loved on, discipled, and encouraged.”

But one person – the father of the unborn child – often becomes the deciding factor in the crisis pregnancy situation. Powell said Parkgate is now aware that fathers need direct ministry, education, and support as the couples consider their options. That is why the ministry is specifically reaching out to fathers as well as mothers.

A new model of care

“We know that these decisions are not made in a vacuum,” explained Powell. “Statistics will tell us that he – the father of the baby – is the No. 1 influence on a decision for life. But a lot of dads we interact with have no idea they have a say in this decision.”

According to Powell, many of these men believe their role is simply to agree with the mother in whatever decision she makes. This is usually because the father wants to be supportive or because he does not think he has the right to choose life for his child.

Therefore, Parkgate changed the way it engages fathers from the start. Previously, when a couple arrived at the clinic, the staff focused primarily on the mother while the father simply waited. Powell describes “his wait” as a massive, missed opportunity. So, Parkgate reconfigured its model of care to give specific attention to the father.

“Bringing on our fatherhood director was such a game changer for us,” Powell admitted. “Now that we have a male figure in the building, we can change our facility’s culture so that fathers feel welcome … too. They do have value, a place, and somebody that supports them.”

David Thompson, fatherhood director for Parkgate, now meets fathers as soon as they walk through the door. He introduces himself, then has a personal conversation with each father. Thompson follows up with the men after their initial visits and schedules continued appointments. Part of his job is to identify the factors in a father’s life that influence his decision-making. Parkgate then works to provide resources and support to address those factors.

A gospel-centered outreach

Parkgate also includes spiritual guidance in its ministry to fathers. The gospel is central to the clinic’s approach, not just an add-on. Parkgate offers fathers a four-week class on what it means to be a Christian, and then an evangelism program – funded by a local community partner – is offered as an incentive to those who attend all four weeks.

A mentorship program is also a part of Parkgate’s outreach to fathers. Christian men in the community partner one-on-one with dads to develop genuine relationships that are strengthened by having regular phone conversations with each other and grabbing coffee or lunch together, among other means of fellowship. This program mirrors the organization’s existing program for mothers.

“We know that when you can understand the value of your own life through the Creator,” Powell said, “then you can see the value of the life of your baby.”

An unexpected response

Powell reported that the response from the fathers who came to Parkgate was much stronger than expected.

“They have been very engaged,” she said, “very excited even to see that there is a place for them and that they matter, [both] individually and when it comes to their unborn child.”

But what happens when a couple – together or independently – chooses abortion rather than life? Powell stressed that Parkgate’s care and ministry does not end; it continues because the impact of abortion – specifically on the father – can result in grief, regret, guilt, depression, and sometimes even addiction and anger.

“Culturally, when it comes to pregnancy and having a baby, we don’t really give dads a place in the room to begin with,” she stated. “And so, culturally, we don’t even give them a space to process or say, ‘I’m grieving this life that we did not allow to be born.’ And so, it’s really important that we let them know we will love them no matter what they choose.

“We’re obviously going to encourage them to choose life,” she continued, “but we want them to know that if they do choose to have an abortion, we’re not gone. We’re here.”

Powell explained that many clients who choose abortion reach back out to Parkgate and express regret. For these clients, the clinic offers a post-abortive recovery ministry, which includes a Bible study.

A holistic approach

As Scripture guides the work of Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, the ministry continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of its community. It plans to partner with local Child Protective Services to offer education, parenting classes, and practical resources, such as diapers, wipes, and clothes for needy families with new babies.

“We want the whole family unit engaged,” Powell said. “We know [that] dads who … come to know the Lord are important and influential in the family’s trajectory. So, we want to walk with both dads and moms, equip and educate them – especially those going through a hard season of life. [Perhaps] they’ve lost [custody of] their children, and they need resources, support, and encouragement to see reunification happen. We see our work as a holistic approach.”

Parkgate’s ministry offers a model that all Christians can imitate when it comes to reaching out to fathers and mothers who are caught in a decision between life and death.

While the culture accuses pro-life Christians of only being concerned about a mother’s decision to give birth to her baby and not about the struggles that follow, Powell believes that Parkgate’s holistic approach to crisis pregnancy care proves this accusation wrong.

“Believers can be the hands and feet of Jesus,” she said. “Jesus met people where they were. He took care of a physical need, then told them: ‘I also have what you need that will satisfy you forever.’ So, when people know that you truly care, they’re willing to listen to you and what you have to share with them.”