LifeDate Fall 2024 – Hope and a Future
On June 21, Deaconess Janet Nicol had the opportunity to present information about Lutherans For Life’s Word of Hope ministry to the Ohio District LWML Convention held in Canton. There were 75 participants in this interest session out of a total of over 130 registrants to the convention.
Deaconess Nicol spoke about the history of Word of Hope and how it operates under Lutherans For Life (a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod). The main focus of Word of Hope had been abortion recovery care but, since the pandemic, it has expanded its care to souls who are ashamed, brokenhearted, and crushed in spirit due to many life issues. Deaconess Nicol explained what constitutes a life issue and shared two moving stories of individuals who have contacted the hotline in the past year (with names changed due to confidentiality).
Deaconess Nicol explained that Word of Hope is the only Lutheran hotline that exists in the United States and Canada, and that direct spiritual care is provided that is grounded in the truth of Scripture. Word of Hope also gives referrals to other life-supporting Scripture-based organizations if needed.
Deaconess Nicol also shared Word of Hope’s dreams and aspirations for the future, fielded interesting questions, and offered print materials from Lutherans For Life, Y4Life, as well as Word of Hope. Find out more about Word of Hope on Facebook and at word-of-hope.org.