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Elim Church Centre - Loughborough 

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As part of our commitment to the Loughborough community, the Charis Centre is a ministry of this fellowship to women and men offering:
 

• free pregnancy testing

• confidential pregnancy counselling

• information on choices

• caring support

• post-abortion counselling.

From the very start CHARIS has sought to match our commitment to proclaim God's truth with our responsibility to demonstrate Christ's compassion. When Jesus encountered the woman caught in the act of adultery, He first rescued her from those who were about to stone her to death. He forgave her sins, demonstrating His mercy, and only then counselled her to 'go and sin no more'. His grace and compassion came first, followed by His truth.

Believing that Jesus offers this loving, non-judgmental support and understanding to us today, our CHARIS Centre seeks to create an environment where a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy can think through her options and feelings before making an informed decision. We let her know that we will support her all we can - whatever she chooses to do. Sadly, some women do opt to have an abortion and many then receive post-abortion counselling, where Christ's love and understanding are shown to them and the babies they have lost. This approach costs our volunteers countless hours, days and sometimes weeks of their lives, in sacrificial prayer and care for women in need. Many tears are shed; many lives are touched. Hearts are softened and faith found to believe that God can heal the pain and regret of wrong choices - above all, that God can forgive.

Through the wonderful work of CHARIS, we are seeing the growth of an ever increasing grace-filled approach to women considering an abortion, and those suffering post-abortion trauma. Just recently our volunteers have been supporting very effectively those working their way through abortion and miscarriage experiences.

Prayerful support of our volunteers is important. Let's always remember that one of the most precious acts of kindness we can do for an unborn child is to pray for and support that child's mother. Together we are making a difference in this community.