Giving Thanks: One Volunteer Shares His Passion

One of our male counselor volunteers told us why he does what he does, so we asked him to write it down. Keep reading to see why this ministry is important to him!

It’s a fact; men and women are different.  And it does seem a bit odd to ask our male clients, “Are you here for a pregnancy test?”  Yet, the male clients who come to the Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) come for a variety of reasons, and in most cases it’s because they care, care deeply about their baby and about their partner.  While the women generally have a circle of friends and/or relatives with whom they can and do discuss intimate subjects, men generally do not.  Society tells men that they are not supposed to have emotions, are not supposed to cry, are not supposed to mourn the loss of their child, but they do.  And they worry about providing for their loved ones.  And that’s why the men’s ministry component of the PCC is such an important and integral part of the services the PCC provides.  Each male client has the opportunity to meet individually with a male counselor and to discuss important social, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of his life.

Each client is different and has different needs, individual needs which we try to address.  Often the client’s greatest needs are unknown to him due to a variety of circumstances.  Many of our clients have never had a positive male role model in their lives nor have they had anybody with whom they can share or discuss their deepest and most intimate concerns.  We listen, we counsel, we educate, and we share the Gospel with each client, assuring him of God’s love, His mercy, and His grace for him.  Like farmers, we sow seeds with the full knowledge and realization that some of those seeds fall on rocky or unfertile soil, while others fall on fertile soil, soil rich and inviting and open to the grace, mercy, and love God has for each and every person.

It is truly an honor and a privilege to volunteer and serve as a male counselor at the PCC, knowing that the impact we have on each male client may ultimately have a positive impact on the life of his expected child, on his relationships with others, on his physical and emotional well being, and on his spiritual relationship with God.  This is an abundantly fulfilling and positive ministry which addresses the needs of a segment of society too often overlooked or neglected.  Ultimately both the client and the counselor are richly blessed through the men’s ministry of the PCC.  The men’s ministry richly complements and augments the ministry the PCC provides to the women of the community and is an integral and vital part of the total program.

It is a blessing to have volunteers such as this working alongside us. We are incredibly thankful for our steadfast volunteers, sincere donors and hard-working staff.

Happy Thanksgiving!