Lifehouse
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Church surprised Nikki Peterson. She came to Southeast because she had to attend worship services as long as she lived at Lifehouse, a maternity home for women in Louisville and their children. Peterson, who describes herself as “confused Muslim” at the time, decided to try Southeast’s Blankenbaker Campus.
In her short lifetime of 19 years, Peterson had been through a world of hurt—depression, a suicide attempt, complicated relationships and an unplanned pregnancy.
“When I walked into the church, everyone was so nice and friendly,” she said. “When I asked how to get somewhere, they didn’t just tell me how to get there. They escorted me to the right room. And God spoke to me through the sermon that day.”
Peterson kept going to church even when she didn’t feel like getting up early. One Sunday, the sermon stirred the void she’d felt for a long time. She went forward after the service to join the church and be baptized.
And that is a win,” said Joan Smith, the founder and director at Lifehouse. “Pro life is when you see the woman accept Christ into her life and become the woman God wants her to be,” she said.
Peterson said that “life looks pretty good now.”
“When you know God is on your side, there is peace,” she said.
Someday, when God gives her extra funds, she wants to help the ministry at Lifehouse.
Since it opened two years ago, Lifehouse has been home to many women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Seventeen babies have been saved.
Joan Smith calls the house the “intensive care” of the pro-life movement. She started the non-profit three years ago because there were no faith-based, residential programs for women facing crisis pregnancies.
“This is more than a shelter for women facing unplanned pregnancies,” she said. “We hear a lot of sad stories of women who are pregnant living in their cars because they don’t have a place to live. But if they don’t want the rules of the house, if they’re not willing to be responsible, go to church, school and work, then they can’t come here.”
The non-profit runs on a tight budget, supported by individuals and churches. They network daily with A Woman’s Choice Resource Center and Necole’s Place.
Peterson will tell her story at the Lifehouse fundraiser on Sept. 8, along with two other women in the program and Bristol Palin, the 19-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin, who was the Republican vice-presidential nominee in the 2008 presidential election.
Many have asked Smith why she chose Bristol as her keynote speaker for the event.
“She has a story, and she’s one of us,” Smith said. “Every time she picks up a newspaper, she’s in it. She had to face the fact that everyone would know about her pregnancy. As a family, they hold onto their faith to get through that.”
Bristol has been center stage on news shows and in newspapers and tabloids. Her pregnancy was fodder for critics during her mother’s run for the White House. Her son, Tripp, has been showcased on entertainment news shows, and Bristol has become a household name for being a teen mom.
She now tries to help other teens. In 2009, she became the ambassador for Candie’s Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to educate youth about the devastating consequences of teenage pregnancy. Her message is “pause before you play” and “abstinence first.”
Smith is parent-proud of women who have come to Lifehouse and are doing well. Chloe heard about Lifehouse from a pro-life counselor in another state. Finding out she was pregnant was a shock. She was already a single parent, struggling to provide for her toddler. Taking care of another baby seemed impossible.
Chloe called Smith, agreed to follow the program and moved in within two weeks.
The first month was tough, until she found a job and started school. Wanting to place her baby up for adoption, she looked through portfolios until she found the right family and invited them to be in the delivery room with her. She treasures photos of her baby girl and keeps a journal that she hopes to give her some day.
Lifehouse is always full, and there’s a waiting list. Right now three 17-year-olds live there in addition to three other women. They must go to school and do their homework, attend group therapy and counseling, Bible studies and Wednesday night get-togethers that feature different guest speakers, such as parenting experts, police
officers, LaMaze trainers amd dieticians.
Smith’s goal is to expand the ministry with six efficiency apartments. She has been given a $400,000 matching grant for construction costs. Volunteers are vital. Several churches come to Lifehouse to put on parties, luaus and ice cream socials for the women. The Two By Two Weekend Group at Southeast has been filling many needs.
“Our volunteers are amazing,” Smith said. “Through all those who invest in the women’s lives, they begin to realize what Christianity is all about. I don’t think any of these women have been loved unconditionally before.”