Presidential Perspective

by Brad OliverIn just a few weeks, we will be celebrating Easter and remembering the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. His victory over death offers the promise of new life to all who will believe. As I read through the gospels, I am reminded that Christ came into this World to bring us from death to life.One of my favorite accounts of Jesus’ exercising His authority over death is found in Luke 7:11-17. In this passage, Jesus comes upon a funeral procession for a widow who was in the process of burying her only son. The scripture says that when Jesus saw her, His heart was broken. Moved by the weight of the situation, Jesus touches the coffin containing the widow’s son and the young man was resurrected to new life.What I love about this passage is the manner in which Luke records the reaction of the crowd. Upon seeing the son resurrected to life, Luke records that the crowd was “quietly worshipful – and then noisily grateful” [The Message]. Luke goes on to note that as a result the gospel of Jesus spread throughout the area.Have you ever considered that God has invited each of us to join Him in raising people from the dead? Each day, First Choice for Women staff members and volunteers have incredible opportunities to offer life to those who find themselves spiritually dead and apart from God. With your help, we are saving the lives of unborn children and helping to lead women and men into a life-saving relationship with Jesus Christ.What an exciting time in the ministry of First Choice for Women! 2014 is filled with enormous opportunity and as you look over this month’s newsletter, we pray that you’ll consider how God may be calling you to play a more active role in the ministry of First Choice. Each time you sow a financial gift into the ministry of First Choice or volunteer to assist with an event or donate hours to working as a volunteer at First Choice, you are actively participating in Christ’s life-saving work.I want to challenge you to help the ministry of First Choice for Women in three specific ways.First, I want to challenge you to either start or recommit to giving regularly to this ministry. Second, I want to challenge you to get involved with an upcoming event such as our annual Walk for Life or any number of opportunities to volunteer your time. And finally, I want to challenge you to pray for this ministry. Pray specifically for our Board, for our Executive Director, Lisa Miller, and for the staff, volunteers, and donors who seek to serve the Lord through the ministry of First Choice.First Choice for Women is a beacon of hope in Muncie and Delaware County. As the only faith-based crisis pregnancy center, God has uniquely purposed First Choice to be a ministry that imparts life to those we serve. With that realization in our hearts, may we find ourselves quietly worshipful and noisily grateful over what God is doing!In Service to Him,Dr. Brad E. Oliver, PresidentBoard of Directors