our mission . . .

Abel Center is a life-affirming Christian ministry bringing Christ's love through Gospel truth, hope and help to those facing an unplanned pregnancy, to those tempted by abortion or sex outside of marriage, and to those burdened by a past abortion.

The Abel Center is a locally organized and funded ministry that was started in March of 1994. The purpose in opening the Abel Center in this area was to provide a place for a woman to receive

• empowerment to continue with her pregnancy
• emotional and spiritual strength
• resources for herself and child
• gentle and genuine friendship

Concerned Christians from our communities have bonded together to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in bringing the resources of the local church and communities to bear upon the challenges facing women in unplanned pregnancy situations.

The Abel Center is governed by a local board of directors. A full-time executive director manages a staff of well-trained Christian volunteers who answer the client line, peer counsel with women, and provide support services. Concerned community leaders make up an advisory board, which acts as a consultant for the operation of the Center.

Board of Directors:

•     David Allen, Pastor, Vice-Chair
•     William E. Clarke, Med-Response, Treasurer
•     Alma Littlejohn, Homemaker, Member
•     Lisa Neeley, Customer Service Agent, Secretary
•     Sandy Stephenson, Faculty, SVCC, Chair
•     Nellie Stillwell, Trust Officer, Member

Advisory Board

• Hugh Cole, CPA, Faculty, Bluefield College
• Alice Edwards, Nurse Practitioner, Retired
• Ron Kennett
• Rev. Gary Moore, Scott Street Baptist
• James Palmer III, Attorney
• Phil Peterson, MD, Bluefield Family Medicine

Executive Director - Dwain N. Harwick

Administrative/Client Services Assistant - Sarah E. Roberts

Nurse Manager - Cathy L. Nelson

we exist because . . .

somewhere in our communities there is a woman who suspects she is pregnant. If her circumstances and the timing were different she probably would be very joyful about the prospect of having a baby. But for this woman there is no joy - only confusion, anguish, and fear.

There are choices, but all seem frightening to her. Deep inside she knows that whatever she decides she must live with the awesome consequences for the rest of her life. The Abel Center is for any pregnant woman who wants to talk with someone who cares. We care enough to show her all the alternatives, give her accurate information, and provide gentle guidance toward biblical solutions. And, when a woman decides to carry her baby to term, we will help her throughout her pregnancy and afterwards, to meet her physical, financial and spiritual needs.

ways we are helping our clients, churches and communities

• pregnancy testing
• limited obstetrical ultrasound to confirm pregnancy
• education on pregnancy, abortion and all the life-affirming alternatives
• adoption information and referral
• emotional support
• personal peer counseling
• clothing for mother and child
• furnishings for baby
• a client line
• referrals for housing, medical, legal and financial assistance
• Choosing Healthy Options In Christ Especially with Sex (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.) abstinence-based program, a program that inspires our youth to save sex for marriage
• SaveOne abortion recovery Bible study, a recovery group for women who have experienced abortion
• One-on-one peer-counseling for port-abortive women
• extensive video and literature library
• Serving with Care and Integrity volunteer training class
• a speaker willing to talk to your church, organization, or group about the Abel Center ministry

our operating principles are . . .

1. The Abel Center is an outreach ministry of Jesus Christ through His church. Therefore, the Center, embodied in its volunteers, is committed to presenting the gospel of our Lord to women with crisis pregnancies--both in word and in deed. Commensurate with this purpose, those who labor as Center board members, directors and volunteers are expected to know Christ as their Savior and Lord.
2. The Abel Center is committed to providing its clients with accurate and complete information about both prenatal development and abortion.
3. The Abel Center is committed to integrity in dealing with clients earning their trust and providing promised information and services. The Abel Center denounces any form of deception in its corporate advertising or individual conversations with its clients.
4. The Abel Center is committed to assisting women to carry to term by providing spiritual & emotional support and practical assistance. Through the provision of God's word, His people and the community at large, women may face the future with hope and plan constructively for themselves and their babies.
5. The Abel Center does not discriminate in providing services because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, or marital status of its clients.
6. The Abel Center does not recommend, provide, or refer for abortion or abortifacient.
7. The Abel Center offers assistance free of charge at all times.
8. The Abel Center is committed to creating an awareness within the local community of the needs of pregnant women and of the fact that abortion only compounds human need rather than resolving it.
9. The Abel Center does not recommend, provide, or refer single women for contraceptives. (Married women seeking contraceptive information should be urged to seek counsel along with their husbands, from their pastor and physician).
10. The Abel Center recognizes the validity of adoption as one alternative to abortion, but is not biased toward adoption when compared to other life-saving alternatives. Centers are independent of adoption agencies, relating to them in the same manner as to other helpful referral sources. Crisis Pregnancy Centers receive no payment of any kind from these agencies, do not enter into contractual relationships with them, and do not share combined office space. Adoption agencies are not established under the auspices of centers, though they may refer for independent adoptions in states where it is legal.

the original Statement of Principle from Care Net, was adapted for use by the Abel Center