The Abstinence Talk | Pastor Barnett

The Abstinence Talk | Pastor Barnett

In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Pastor Shawn Barnett, the associate pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Together, they explore the foundational and often countercultural topic of abstinence—choosing to reserve sex for marriage. The conversation begins by grounding the discussion in God’s original design for human relationships. Pastor Barnett provides a pastoral perspective on why the boundaries set by faith are not meant to restrict joy but to protect the heart and the family unit. Key insights from this episode include * Understanding the "office" of a parent and how God qualifies those He calls to lead their families. * Deconstructing the lies of the devil that aim to make individuals feel disqualified due to past mistakes. * The importance of living for and speaking the truth, even when it requires admitting our own errors to the next generation. * Why the church must be a place that champions God’s design while offering grace for those walking the path of repentance. Join us for this encouraging and direct conversation about the beauty of holiness, the weight of parental responsibility, and the freedom found in following God’s plan for intimacy. Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org [http://www.ichooselife.org]

A Path to Freedom from Pornography | Sam Black

-- Episode Resources -- Books & Personal Contact * Book: The Healing Church by Sam Black: https://a.co/d/0hX2vEwo [https://a.co/d/0hX2vEwo] * Book: Wired for Intimacy by William Struthers: https://a.co/d/0dHFB2U0 [https://a.co/d/0dHFB2U0] * Contact Sam Black: sam.black@covenanteyes.com [sam.black@covenanteyes.com] Recovery Tools & Counseling * Website: Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/ [https://www.covenanteyes.com/] * Find a Christian Counselor: https://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/find-a-christian-counselor-for-porn-addiction/ [https://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/find-a-christian-counselor-for-porn-addiction/] Support Communities * Celebrate Recovery: https://celebraterecovery.com/ [https://celebraterecovery.com/] * Celebrate Recovery Locator: https://crlocator.com/ [https://crlocator.com/] * She Recovery (Betrayal Trauma Support): https://sherecovery.com/ [https://sherecovery.com/] ──────────────────── In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Sam Black, an author and representative from Covenant Eyes, to tackle a topic often kept in the shadows: pornography and its impact on the Christian church. Sam shares his personal journey through addiction and his professional experience helping others find freedom. The conversation explores why pornography is such a pervasive issue within faith communities and how the "don't ask, don't tell" culture allows shame and guilt to fester. Sam provides deep insights into: * The three common factors behind addiction: early exposure, repetition during adolescence, and underlying trauma. * The neurochemistry of recovery and why a 90-day "brain reset" is vital for restoring genuine intimacy. * The role of an "ally" and why having an accountability partner who isn't your spouse can be a crucial step in the healing process. * Moving beyond "white-knuckle sobriety" to find the deeper roots of addiction and lasting spiritual renewal. Join us for this essential conversation about the power of vulnerability, the "gift of going first," and the transformative healing available through community and God’s grace. Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org [http://www.ichooselife.org]

A Journey of Healing and Redemption | Maria Stieglitz

-- Episode Resources -- Want to hear Maria's story? Contact her here: ClintsStory@gmail.com [ClintsStory@gmail.com] Free Resources: https://www.ichooselife.org/free-resources [https://www.ichooselife.org/free-resources] Post-Abortive Healing: https://www.ichooselife.org/post-abortive-healing [https://www.ichooselife.org/post-abortive-healing] ──────────────────── In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Maria Stieglitz, a local guest from the Fort Wayne area with a deeply moving story of redemption. Maria shares the heavy reality of her past, walking us through the circumstances surrounding her abortion and the years of silent struggle that followed. With incredible courage, she discusses the memory of her son, Clint, and how she moved from a place of secrecy and pain to one of profound healing and advocacy. This conversation dives into the reality of post-abortive trauma, the cultural pressures women face, and the transformative power of God’s grace. Maria’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking peace after a past choice, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of healing. Join us for this powerful testimony about the value of every life and the beauty of finding a voice after silence. Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org [http://www.ichooselife.org]

From Street Kid to Foster Dad: Transforming Trauma into Hope | Peter Mutabazi

-- Episode Resources -- * Book: Now I Am Known: https://a.co/d/031utyeD [https://a.co/d/031utyeD] * Book: Love Does Not Conquer All: https://a.co/d/09bu5I07 [https://a.co/d/09bu5I07] * Website: https://petermutabazi.com/ [https://petermutabazi.com/] ──────────────────── In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, host Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Peter Mutabazi, a foster and adoptive father with an extraordinary story of resilience and redemption. Born into extreme poverty in a small village in Uganda, Peter faced unimaginable hardships from a young age. Struggling with starvation and an abusive father, he made the desperate decision to run away and live on the streets at just ten years old. Peter shares the harrowing details of his years as a street kid, the survival tactics he learned, and the "family" he found among other children in similar situations. Everything changed when a stranger saw potential in Peter and offered him the chance to go to school—an opportunity Peter initially accepted only for the promise of three meals a day. This moment of kindness set Peter on a path that eventually led him to the United States, where he felt a profound calling to give back. Peter discusses his journey into foster care and adoption, explaining how his own childhood trauma allows him to uniquely relate to and support the children in his home. He offers deep insights into: * The importance of making foster children feel at home by incorporating familiar foods and belongings. * His "three master rules" for welcoming new children into his family. * The goal of reunification in the foster care system. * Overcoming the "American Dream" of excess to live a life of service and purpose. Join us for this inspiring conversation about the power of kindness, the reality of foster care, and how one life can make a monumental difference. Learn more about our organization here: www.ichooselife.org [https://www.ichooselife.org/]

Life Defenders Summer Camp | Violet Hubartt

What happens when you equip high school and college students with the tools to defend the dignity of every human life? In this episode of The Pro-Life Perspective, Abigail Lorenzen sits down with Violet Hubartt, a junior at Hillsdale College and a seven-time veteran of the Life Defenders Summer Camp. Violet shares how her years at camp transformed her from a student with a "hunch" about the truth into an advocate equipped with science, logic, and philosophy. This conversation explores the vital importance of pro-life apologetics and how training young people impacts the way they view the human person across all stages of life. Join Us: Life Defenders Summer Camp 2026 Registration is open! * Dates: Thursday, June 11 – Saturday, June 13, 2026 * Location: University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN * Who: High school and college-aged students Registration Cost: $75 (Includes meals, dorm housing, materials, and a t-shirt). Scholarships are available—contact us [https://www.ichooselife.org/contact-us] for details. Training Levels * #101 - The Case for Life: Learn the S.L.E.D. framework and how to focus the debate on the foundational question: "What are the preborn?" * #201 - Advanced Arguments: Tackle the bodily autonomy argument and explore inherent versus functional value. * #301 - Tactics & Practicum: Learn the art of guiding conversations and participate in a hands-on practicum with the team from Created Equal. Resources and Links: Register for Camp 2026: http://www.ichooselife.org/camp [http://www.ichooselife.org/camp] (Registration and payment due by 6/5) Right to Life of Northeast Indiana: www.ichooselife.org [http://www.ichooselife.org] Contact: phoebe@ichooselife.org [phoebe@ichooselife.org] or (260) 471-1849 "I knew that we had truth on our side, and I knew that the arguments could be made, but I was very impressed and very convicted that these were arguments that I needed to put into use." — Violet Hubartt