The Image of God in The Unborn
Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.”
As a church, we are committed to upholding the value God has placed on every human life. Scripture teaches us that God knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13) so we hope to reflect God’s heart of compassion, care and justice for the born, unborn, and their families. On this page, you will find how we approach caring for the vulnerable and resources for those who are hurting.
For Every Women Mobile Medical Clinic
As a founding member of a task force focused on caring for the unborn, we are a part of the For Every Woman Initiative. Through this initiative, we will be building a For Every Woman Mobile Medical Clinic which is state-of-the-art and the first of its kind in Orange County. Leveraging medical-grade materials and licensed healthcare professionals, women will receive pregnancy tests, STD tests, and ultrasounds in a fully equipped Exam Room. The Counseling Room is equipped with a workstation where women can start the next step in their journey to thrive with dignity.
Prevention
Research shows that 70% of abortions occur in vulnerable communities where there is a lack of financial and relational support that often contributes to a mother’s decision. With this in mind, Mariners continues our 30+ year legacy that seeks to break cycles of poverty in the communities we are called to serve.
Lighthouse Community Centers
Lighthouse Community Centers strengthen the surrounding neighborhood with a sense of community, academic programs, and parent enrichment.
Foster Youth & Families
Our strategy is to educate the Church about the foster care system and empower them to affect change in the lives of the 3,000+ foster kids in Orange County.
Special Needs
Families of kids with special needs are among some of the most vulnerable. Our Special Needs ministry at Mariners provides opportunities for our special needs kids and adults as well as providing support for their families. Visit our website on the link below to find out more.
Intervention
We are founding members of a new task force that will be partnering with Horizon Pregnancy Clinic and Save the Storks to provide free pregnancy services and Christian counseling opportunities through mobile clinics and referrals for wrap-around care.
Horizon Pregnancy Clinic
Horizon Pregnancy Clinic is a Christ-centered medical clinic providing hope and healing to anyone impacted by an unplanned pregnancy. Get involved by emailing [email protected] or contact Horizon directly at [email protected].
Save the Storks
Save the Storks seeks to support medical clinics and churches in their efforts to empower women to choose life. Learn more.
Wrap Around
Wrap Around comprises the part of our approach which focuses on building supportive environments for families. This is all happening through a growing network of partners. Take a look at some of them below and see how you can participate.
Fristers
Fristers, founded and operated on Christian principles, is dedicated to helping teen parents build healthy and stable lives and families through educational classes and workshops, mentoring, case management, and the support of a caring community.
OCRM
OCRM Through their Village of Hope, Orange County Rescue Mission provides rapid rehousing for expecting families experiencing housing insecurity.
Care & Recovery Resources
Whether you have been touched by abortion or care deeply for those impacted by it, we pray that these resources will offer paths toward growth and healing, overflowing to those around you.
Mariners Care & Recovery
Our group ministries are safe places to heal. Please feel free to visit and let us know if you have any questions through our Care Support form.
Living Well Abortion Recovery Counseling
If you are a woman or man who has experienced an abortion some time in your past, and continue to experience pain, loss or shame, Living Well Abortion Recovery Counseling offers both online and in-person supportive resources.
Recovery Course – Abortion Changes You
This online wellness resource offers pathways for reflection and healing for those who have experienced the difficult landscape of abortion.
Schedule a Follow-up Call with a Mariners Care Counselor
Our lay care counselors are ready to come alongside you with emotional and spiritual support.
Christian Therapist Resource List
This is a list of local and regional therapists with whom members of our community have found growth and healing.
Keep Learning Together
Image of God Deep Dive
How we care for the vulnerable is a matter of worship. Every person bears within them the very image of God which is why we want to invite you to grow in your understanding of what it means to care for every aspect of God’s creation. Deep Dive Image of God will be taught by Ines Franklin and Steve Bang Lee and is a seven-week course that will equip you with a biblical understanding of the Image of God in humanity. We hope you will join us as we further embrace our calling to join God’s work of justice and love in our world.
We are looking forward to having the Image of God course in 2023. You can view the recording of session 2 here which focuses on the Image of God in the Unborn.