His appearance came on the heels of the fifth, 40 Days for Life national campaign. The anti-abortion campaign consists of prayer and fast, a vigil and outreach.
According to Bereit, 678 campaigns have been held in 282 communities in all 50 states.
It also has reached as far as Canada and Ireland.
This is the fourth year for the campaign in Dayton.
Locally, people held a vigil outside the center.
Part of the reason for his stop in the Miami Valley is because Elizabeth’s New Life Center — which offers counseling, parenting classes, spirituality classes, prenatal care, information about resources and more — is a good example of one of the best comprehensive programs, said Bereit, of Bryan/College Station, Texas. “I want to take it and share it with other communities.”
Vivian Koob, executive director of Elizabeth’s New Life Center, said support for a woman who decides to continue her pregnancy is essential.
“It’s the perfect scenario of people trying to get that mother everything she needs.”
Lee Carter, satellite center manager for the Women’s Center, is one of two people at the center who perform sonograms.
She uses 3D-4D technology that shows the fetus’ movements.
Cater said that if such technology was available when she was 21, she may not have made the decision she said she “regrets to this day.”
“You’re thinking of it as a problem, not a baby,” Carter said. “And I needed to fix the problem. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents, or not finish school. And my boyfriend was supportive of (the abortion).”
Carter said women walk around with this “secret sin.”
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