By Bonnie Mentel
Kristen Mosley has been on staff with LifeCare as the operations director for the past four years. She has just recently transitioned to take over the role of executive director, replacing Karen Brooks, who held the position for 22 years.
“I’ve been so thankful to work under her leadership. My plan, as the executive director, is to continue building upon what she and Cookie Gray, who founded the ministry, have already started,” said Mosley.
LifeCare has two centers in the community, called Choices Women Centers, in Brandon and Ruskin. The name was chosen to reach abortion-minded women in the community. At the centers, the staff and trained LifeCoaches work to educate clients each time a pregnancy test is administered. They cover abortion education, adoption education, and parenting education.
“In May, we administered 50 pregnancy tests. Out of those, 30 of those women were what we call ‘abortion-minded’ or ‘vulnerable’ women. Twenty-six of them actually made decisions for life. We’re so thankful that they’re coming here first. That’s our passionate goal, to be a woman’s first choice when she’s faced with an unplanned pregnancy. We want to speak truth and life to her, and show her life in the womb through an ultrasound,” Mosley said.
The ministry has a vision for a future housing ministry within the community. Mosley said that a lot of the women that they work with are often stuck in unhealthy situations with their boyfriend or family, because they don’t have anywhere to go.
“God placed a dream in Karen’s heart many years ago for a future housing ministry. We’re continuing to pray for that, for God’s timing and provision,” Mosley said.
Currently, there is not a specific home in mind. They are waiting for God to lead them to the right location.
“We also have a Bible Study called Surrendering the Secret, where we help women heal from past abortion. Forty-three percent of women have had at least one abortion. We are very sensitive to that and we know that the Lord wants to heal them and set them free,” Mosley said.
The ministry also offers one-on-one counseling sessions for post-abortive women.
LifeCare’s biggest event is their fundraising gala. This year’s gala will take place on Thursday, October 20 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown. They expect 500-600 guests to attend the semi-formal dinner and program to celebrate the past year’s ministry and future vision of LifeCare. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the dinner and program will run from 6:30-9 p.m.
Former Planned Parenthood director and pro-life activist, Abby Johnson, will be the featured speaker.
“We’re excited to have her come speak at our gala. We’re anticipating a lot of new partners for the ministry through that,” Mosley said.
The event is free and open to the public with an RSVP.
More information about the event and ministry can be found at www.lifecarenetwork.net or by calling 654-0491.
