Who We Are

  

Mission Statement

Abigail Pregnancy Services is committed, through the power and teachings of Jesus Christ, to educate, encourage, and empower women and men to make informed life choices.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to provide or see that provisions are available to our clients to ensure that they have been given every opportunity to make informed life choices.

Value Statement

We desire to be an organization that is grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ by operating with integrity and excellence while serving our clients with genuine compassion.

 Why We Are Here

Abigail Ministries is a 501c3, non-profit pregnancy care service organization.  Based upon our mission, vision, and value statements, we are here to help men and women make informed choices about their pregnancy.  We can help them choose life for their unborn children by helping with some of the physical needs of new babies.  As a ministry, we try to help with the eternal life of their souls through the salvation plan of Jesus Christ.  We promote abstinence and educate our client about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  We do not sit in judgment but are instead willing to help heal the broken hearts of those who are suffering from the effects of past abortions.

God is the head of this ministry using all of us as willing servants to do His will.  Integrity is important to us and there are principles and values from which we will not deviate.

  • Board members, staff and volunteers of Abigail Ministries profess, believe, and uphold Abigail's official Statement of Faith and Principles with their actions and words.
  • Sanctity of Human Life - Human life is God given and begins at conception ending with natural death.  Every fetus is a human being created in God's image for His purpose.

 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;" (Jer 1:5 NKJV)

Compassion is shown to all Abigail clients.  They are treated with respect, mercy, grace, and the love of Jesus Christ.  We do not condemn, agitate, harass, or manipulate in any way to achieve political or social ends.

Confidentiality is essential.  All information shared by our clients during their relationship with the center and its representatives will be kept in the strictest confidence except as required by law or as required for the protection of our clients or others. 

Abigail Ministries is affiliated with Care Net, a Christian network of care for women and men in crisis pregnancy situations.  It is the largest network of its kind having more than 500 crisis pregnancy centers with trained staff and volunteers.  In a year's time, Care Net centers help to meet the needs of men, women, and teenagers with Abstinence Education.  Care Net's goal is to reach those who are facing a crisis pregnancy with the information needed to make informed choices that will remove the fear from choosing life for their unborn.

All information contained in this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.  We are a non-medical center and do not perform nor refer for abortion.

Board of Directors and Staff

 

Pastor Doug Winner, Board Chairman  I am married to Debbie.  We have three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom are married.  We have two grandchildren.  I began serving on the board in 2008.  Through personal circumstances in my family, the ministry I am involved with as a United Methodist pastor, and the Christian outreach of Grace UMC, I believe we are called to address issues of social justice and more specifically to speak up for the sanctity of human life by supporting ministry that provides for women and men in crsis pregnancy.
Roland Tkach, Board Treasurer  January 2006, I became an Abigail Board member.  My wife Dianne and I prayed over becoming a Board member.  We both agreed that as busy as our life had become, that God was calling for me to give my time and talent to the ministry.  Abigail is for the emotioinal and spiritual needs of women and men.  It has been a ministry that has enriched and saved many lives.  Over the years the hand of God has been working to keep this ministry open by moving in the hearts of the people who volunteer and support it's programs.  I have been very blessed to be a part of a ministry that is focused on giving women and men factual information on pregnancy and spiritual direction.
Joanne Lepard, Board Secretary I am married to Larry Lepard and live in Norwalk.  We have two grown children, Alyson in NC and Alan in KS and have been blessed with five grandchildren.  The Lord has called me to involvement with children at our Norwalk Alliance church for many years as director of preschool, teaching Sunday School, children's church and AWANA.  I am employed by Drs. Heidelberg and Colahan.  Abigail has been a part of our lives since it was founded.  We have supported her through prayer, support for walkers in the Walk for Life, and support for the ministry itself.  I have served on Abigail's board since August, 2004.
Cindy Hay, Board Member I started at Abigail for the second time, a year ago, shortly after the banquet.  I asked the Executive Director if she needed any help and mentioned that I would love to be on the Board.  Years ago, I was the first office manager when Abigail was just getting off the ground.  I love and believe in the work that Abigail does for the individuals, family and community.  I believe these are all very important to God.  As I've grown closer to Christ in my personal relationship with Him, I know His passion for life.  It's so obvious to me what He wants us to be doing.  I'm glad to be able to play an active part in bringing about his help.  I feel it is a real joy to be working with the Board we have now, the staff and volunteers.  From the Director to the volunteers, they are the hands and feet of this ministry.  I am single again, have five grown children and eight grandchildren.  
Kathleen Robertson, Board Member I joined the Abigail team as a board member in September of 2010.  I am a firm believer in being where God wants me to be and through a variety of ways, He led me to be a part of the ministry at Abigail.  I am currently employed by the Norwalk City Schools as the elementary counselor.  I have lived in Norwalk all my life and I am thankful for the opportunity to support this ministry as well as our community.
 
 
Estela Luna, Board Member  Two words describe how I feel about Abigail, and they are compassion and joy. Abigail extends compassion to mothers, fathers, and children and counts it a privilege to pray for all. It is beautiful to know that this ministry seeks the Lord always. I am married, have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and six grandsons. I am truly blessed!

Sarah Farr, Executive Director  I am excited about what God is doing through Abigail Ministries! It has been my passion from a very young age to help the people of our community find hope and healing. It is such a privilege to be part of a ministry whose mission is, "Through the power and teaching of Jesus Christ, to educate, encourage, and empower women and men to make informed life choices before, during, and after a crisis pregnancy situation." I started volunteering at Abigail when I was just 8 or 9 years old. In 2000 I became an employee and served in several different capacities until 2006. After taking several years off, I am back and more excited than ever about what God is doing here. We are blessed with a wonderful, caring staff; a dedicated board of directors; faithful volunteers and generous supporters! I am thankful for each and every one!

 

Tracy Enderle, Financial Analyst In the summer of 2004, my brother-in-law, Todd, who at that time was on the board at Abigail, approached me about a bookkeeper job opening, and wanted to know if I knew anyone that would be interested in applying.  I told him that if anyone came to mind, I would let him know.  As he was walking away, a thought came to mind “hey, what about me”, so I voiced it to him.  He then proceeded to tell me that he was actually thinking of me, but wanted it to be “my” idea not his.  I believe that the Lord had been preparing me for this job by providing me with past experiences working alongside my father, who taught me a strong work ethic filled with integrity.  While I personally do not deal directly with clients, I believe wholeheartedly with the mission that the Lord has provided here.  As the body needs all it’s members to function as it was meant, Abigail also needs us all, as insignificant as we may feel, we all have a purpose in His plan for this ministry. 

Roger Walters, Men's Ministry Manager  "For some reason" in 2006 I had a desire to take the classes for volunteers offered by Abigail.  If my wife, Kathie hadn't come with me, I probably would have chickened out after the first class; outside of my comfort zone.  In 2008, the obvious work of the Lord brought me back here asking what I could do.  I expected maintenance but in retrospect found that He was using what I was comfortable with to put me where He wanted me.  Abigail is a blessing to those served and a blessing to be involved with.  Kathie and I have two children and five awesome grandchildren.
Carol Rinella, Peer Counselor and Volunteer Coordinator  I began working at Abigail in September of 2008.  My being led to Abigail was totally God orchestrated, as he strongly impressed upon me to leave my last job without having another lined up.  Within two weeks from my previous job, I was working at Abigail.  Abigail's services are vital to the women and men of our communities and their families.  We provide physical, spiritual and emotional support, which is vital for healthy families.  I have been married since May 1981 to Rick Rinella.  We have a 26-year-old daughter Jessica.

Pat Myers, Peer Counselor and Baby Basics Instructor Over a span of 35 years I've worked for such companies as Diebold, Firestone, Timken and Hoover in the Akron Canton area. In 2003 I retired from Hoover in North Canton.
On August 14, 2010 I married my childhood sweetheart, Bob. There was a 40 year gap of us going in different directions. As we know God has a plan for all of us in his own time not ours. My husband accepted Christ as his Savior on March 11, 2010 then got baptized in July; all orchestrated by the Lord. We have a blended family of my three children and his four children with several grand and great-grand children. We've been so blessed. I believe God has prepared me in so many ways for my position at Abigail throughout the years. I'm very excited knowing the Lord and I are walking the journey together. God's leading the way.
 

Terri Bridgett, Center Manager I have been married to my husband Kent for twelve years and we have two children.  I first visited Abigail after reading an article in the paper about the center.  I had some baby clothes to donate and I had always wondered what they were about.  I was so moved by the show of Christ's love by the staff here, that I wanted to know more.  I felt the Lord lead me to volunteer and eventually on November 13, 2009, I became a part time receptionist.  I believe wholeheartedly that the work done at Abigail is a necessary and valuable service to the women, men and families it serves.  God confirms this and blesses it on a regular basis at the center.  I am humbled to be a part of the work being done here.
Patti Thomas, Receptionist On July 25, 1977, Jesus changed my life!  He revealed Himself to me in a most marvelous way!  Out of my inner most being, His Spirit flowed like a fountain and immersed me in His Love.  Two truths became clear to me in that instant:   I knew that Jesus is alive, and that He loves me!  I wanted to tell everybody that He loves them, too!  I asked God to use me to spread that “Good News”!  Over the past 33 years, He has brought many different seasons into my life to use for His purposes. During the season of being a foster parent, I became acquainted with Abigail Pregnancy Services. 
In 1992, I was so blessed to have the genuine care, love, and support of the Abigail staff to pray for a miracle—to be able to adopt the baby boy we had fallen in love with.  My heart has been deeply connected to this ministry ever since then. (Our son, David, is nearly 18 years old now). My husband, Bill, and I have five older children, Billy, Danny, Kimmi, Sarah, and Shena, 18 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
 I believe that God has prepared me for being a part of the Abigail Ministries over the years, and in His appointed time, opened the door for me to be part of the Abigail team.  I am blessed and thankful for this new season of my life!  I am so grateful to my Lord and Savior for all He has done for me, and for giving me opportunities to serve Him.

 

  Abigail pregnancy services, hours and contact
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