Meet the Team Part 1

Everyone at ALIES has their own story about why they care about the prolife movement and how they got involved. Here is part one into why the different team members at ALIES said yes to call. Stay tuned for part 2 later this month!

Matthews Story:

Being pro-life is often said to be a deeply personal and introspective journey, influenced by various factors and experiences. My name is Matthew and I was born and raised here in Calgary. Growing up to immigrant parents, there weren't any conversations of ‘being pro-life’ or topics on any of the life issues. My parents were just very grateful to be living in Canada, the greatest country in the world. But I remember the day learning that this great country was only 1 of 3 in the world that had abortion available for all 9 months of pregnancy. How could the “best country in the world”, allow something so horrific? It really got me thinking and my convictions began to take root. One compelling reason to embrace the pro-life perspective was the realization that every human life has intrinsic value and deserves protection, regardless of whether they are aware of the issue or not. Recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of each individual, even before they are conscious of their own existence, is a fundamental principle that underpins the pro-life stance.

Another experience that led me to a pro-life conviction was the personal witness on the impact of my friends and family. When surrounded by a majority of friends who do not support the pro-life movement, one can feel the weight of dissenting opinions. However, it is precisely in witnessing firsthand the consequences of abortion on friends and family that a deep empathy for the unborn began to develop. Seeing the emotional toll, regret, and pain experienced by those involved in abortions can bring about a profound understanding of the irreversible nature of such a decision. I also saw the love of God even to those whom have had abortions in the past. These experiences inspired a commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and advocating for alternatives to abortion that promote compassion, support, and empowerment for both the mother and her unborn child.

Ultimately, being pro-life in our witness isn’t easy. The realization of the inherent worth of every human life, irrespective of awareness, combined with witnessing the consequences of abortion on loved ones, can strongly influence one's decision to embrace the pro-life stance. Through empathy, compassion, a commitment to promoting alternatives and support (even post-abortion), we who become actively pro-life strive to create a society that values and protects the most vulnerable among us.

Jocelynn's Story:

I’m pro-life because the Lord did a mighty work in my heart. He transformed my heart of stone to a heart of flesh. I’m pro-life because I want to operate in reality. Life begins at conception. A woman becomes a mother and a man becomes a father the moment life begins, at conception, and that child is a precious life, a gift from God. We do not have the right to terminate life by our own choosing.

Unfortunately, I learned all of this too late to save my own baby's life. My own journey had me getting an abortion in 2016, at the age of 28, this led to tremendous pain and suffering that went unaddressed for years – because I had no idea the psychological pain was related to the abortion – until I had an encounter with Jesus. He started showing me the grief I was holding onto, and the torment He wanted to deliver me from. The pain of coming to terms with the realization (that you ended the life of your child) is like no other. I could not have processed that without Jesus. I praise God for his mercy and forgiveness, freely available to all those who confess their sins.

I am in this work because after having my own experience of healing I felt strongly that I had to get involved and speak up; to shed light on the lies of the world that perpetuate abortion daily. I pray that other women can be saved from the pain and torment I went through because of abortion, and of course that their babies would get to live their lives and become mighty warriors for God’s kingdom. I pray, too, that the women who are sitting in their own silent grief surrounding their past abortions would come to know the grace and love of our Heavenly Father and would seek refuge in His loving embrace and know they are not alone. The enemy wants to keep people in hiding, Jesus said “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I came so that they would have life and have it abundantly” John 10:10.

I’m in this work, and specifically with ALIES, because God led me right to their doorstep as I was out praying in front of the abortion center in Kensington, having had no idea what ALIES was until that time. I had only recently learned about Kensington Clinic, despite having grown up in Calgary my whole life (note: when I had my abortion it was in Vancouver as I was living there at the time). But God had been putting it on my heart very strongly to go pray outside the abortion center in Kensington, and to find out who might already be doing this. One thing led to another and there I was, knocking on the door of Life House and the rest is history. Thank-you Jesus!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation. 1 Peter 1:3