Life Ambassadors Leadership Forum
Care Net held its 2012 Life Ambassadors Leadership Forum in Nashville, Tennessee. The event gathered pastors, bishops, educators, community and business leaders from around the country to discuss solutions to the high abortion rate in urban America. “We are proud to have hosted 50 conferees from 16 states at the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel”, said Rev. Dean Nelson, Care Net’s Vice-President of Underserved Outreach.
Many attendees came together to unite in prayer during Care Net’s inaugural Raise Your Hand for Life Prayer Rally. This interactive, historic event allowed believers from pregnancy centers, churches and pastors to unite for the cause of life. The group joined in powerful prayer on behalf of unborn babies, future generation of students and pro-life leaders, pregnancy resource centers, advocates and urban communities. The event culminated with a call to unity and a worship concert. The Urban Initiative was a main focus during the Prayer Rally featuring the Life Ambassadors Leadership Council and several urban pregnancy center directors.
Following the Prayer Rally, leaders enjoyed great fellowship at our welcome reception. Care Net's President Melinda Delahoyde and Rev. Dean Nelson, shared a few welcome remarks. Bishop Gerald Glenn, the Chairman of the Life Ambassadors Leadership Council spoke as well. The evening was a wonderful time of introductions, laughter and community.
The Life Ambassadors Leadership Forum was a very full day of information for all in attendance. Our attendees began the day with the Care Net National Pregnancy Center Conference delegates in worship and being challenged by President Melinda Delahoyde's keynote address. Our attendees then transitioned into the Life Ambassadors Leadership Forum to hear the findings of our main speaker, Dr. Pat Fagan. Dr. Pat Fagan is from the Family Research Council, serving as Director of Marriage and Religion Research (MARRI) addressing key topics in the family life of the family structure in the United States today. His presentation was insightful in understanding the attack on the family, the need for the family base to be intact as well as the call to raise the standard of the existing family life in order to change the culture and its inevitable effects on making decisions about life and eternity. To obtain more information about Dr. Fagan’s research and findings, please feel free to visit their website here MARRI.
Forum attendees then heard a wonderful testimony and message from R.C. Sproul, Jr. during a conference wide lunch time address. The afternoon continued on for forum participants with presentations from hand selected representatives who shared pertinent information. They learned about the Urban Initiative, our Life Ambassadors program and how to get involved, Advocacy, Care Net's Pregnancy Decision Line, use of our Care Net Urban website, as well an introduction to pregnancy centers.
The day concluded with Care Net’s Urban Initiative being highlighted during the Conference’s evening dinner and General Session. Rev. Arnold Culbreath played a wonderful hymn on his saxophone. Bishop Gerald Glenn challenged everyone with riveting words of life and truth from Scripture. He also taught and shared a praise song that everyone participated in learning and singing while he was accompanied by Rev. Culbreath on stage. It was yet another delightful moment that brought joy into the room. Overall, this year’s Life Ambassadors Leadership Forum was a fantastic time for all. Many people are now seeking the next step in this process of rebuilding, restoring and repairing the Urban community to bring a message of truth and life to our culture.
Pictures of all of the mentioned events, can be found here:
Pictures from 2012 Care Net Conference & Raise Your Hand for Life Prayer Rally