FocusOnTheFamily

Honouring God’s love for all human life

Written by Frank Stirk

If you call Focus on the Family Canada during regular office hours, our goal is that there will always be a living, breathing human being at the other end of the line. No taped message. No automated call-routing system. But a real person to talk to.

That might not seem like a big deal, but it speaks to something that is simply bedrock for Focus – the sanctity of all human life. “Because we value human life as God’s creation, we believe we are called to love all people,” says senior vice-president Derek Rogusky.

This means working to protect life from conception to natural death, and opposing abortion and euthanasia. Those are important life issues. But it also means treating every person with dignity, respect and compassion. No exceptions.

“The sanctity of human life is really part of our DNA. It is why we do what we do,” says Jacquie Welsh, Focus’ director of community outreach.

“It is why,” says Rogusky, “we try to provide personal service when people call, write or email, and why we don’t use form letters when people are looking for help or advice. It is why we try hard to treat those who oppose what we believe with respect and kindness. It is why we talk about difficult issues and life challenges, because we care about every stage of human life.”

It is also why Focus is more concerned about making sure people are handed the best possible resources the ministry can provide, even if they can’t afford to pay for them.

“We give away benevolent products every week,” says Welsh. “People call our 1-800 line and they talk with our people about the struggles they have in their lives, and our people suggest resources or helps – and often these go out the door for free.”

Pregnancy resource centres in particular can apply to Focus for free resources: things like helpful brochures and books on childcare. “Whatever a centre feels the needs of their clients are, that’s what we’ll service them with,” says Welsh.

“If we truly value human life like God tells us to,” she adds, “then it has to be reflected in absolutely everything we do.”

© 2008 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.