Recipient of God’s Mercy Extends it to Others

ABBY’S OWN STORY

Early in her college career, Abby met and was engaged to an older, divorced student, and became pregnant. Though she was raised in a Christian, pro-life home and came to faith in Christ at age eight, Abby allowed the alluring temptations of college life to steer her away her from her moorings.

Her fiancé said she simply needed to have an abortion, and she complied. It seemed the easiest way to deal with the unplanned pregnancy. “I didn’t grow up believing that abortion was a good choice for women, but since it was legal, I thought it must be okay.”  

The procedure was painful for her, but at the time, it left her with no regrets. The couple married and Abby began volunteering for the Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, TX. Within a few years the marriage fell apart, but before the divorce, Abby became pregnant again. This time, she didn’t tell her soon-to-be ex-husband or her parents, and opted for a second abortion. Once again, it seemed to be the best solution, given the situation.  

After college, Abby started to work for Planned Parenthood, received training and greater responsibility. Several years later, still in her 20’s, she was made one of their youngest-ever directors of a clinic, responsible for both the family planning and abortion sides of the business. Though her mom made it clear she didn’t approve of her work, Abby had come to believe that she was truly helping women in crisis pregnancies.  

On September 26, 2009, Abby’s convictions were shaken to the core. She was asked to assist during an ultrasound-guided, suction abortion at the clinic by holding the ultrasound head on the patient’s belly. As her website recounts, “She watched in horror as a 13-week baby fought for, and ultimately lost, its life at the hand of the abortionist. At that moment, she fully realized what abortion actually was and what she had dedicated her life to. As it washed over Abby, a dramatic transformation had occurred. Desperate and confused, Abby sought help from a local pro-life group. She swore that she would begin to advocate for life in the womb and expose abortion for what it truly is.”  

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE 

Abby caused quite a stir by leaving Planned Parenthood in 2009, and dove head-first into the pro-life movement. Invitations to speak came pouring in, and she continues to speak all over the globe today. Early on, she wasn’t always treated well by pro-lifers, some of whom doubted her sincerity. As the years went on, she also witnessed great unforgiveness and animosity for abortion workers who wanted to leave their careers, as she had. It hurt. Abby found that “the cancer of abortion,” as she calls it, has eaten away at more than precious babies.

“It ate away at the hearts and consciences of abortive mothers, abortionists, abortion technicians and administrators, abortion accountants, abortion fundraisers, and abortion contributors. And it likely poisoned their families as it had poisoned mine.  All these lives – eternal lives – were worth fighting for. All these lives were just as valuable as life in the womb,” she believes. Dehumanizing those in the abortion industry is akin to dehumanizing babies, Abby says.

Strongly driven to reach out to those who felt trapped by the industry or afraid of how they’d be treated if they left, Abby and a friend founded a ministry to help them get out: And Then There Were None. It remains the only one of its kind in the world.

Based in Texas, with a staff of just 18, ATTWN provides follow up phone calls, financial, practical, and legal help during the transition, licensed Christian counseling, and even resume writing help to find another job. The ministry thought they’d have ten or fifteen success stories by the end of their first year. Instead, they helped 56 abortion workers leave the industry. Today, nearly ten years later, ATTWN has provided help for more than 600 workers out of abortion careers.  

The success stories of ATTWN are myriad. Once, they were contacted by a gay couple who worked in an IT department of an abortion facility and wanted out. “Nick and Adam” (not their real names) asked Abby if they would still help them, though they were gay. “Of course,” she said. “We want to speak life and truth into the lives of those who approach us.” The ministry helped them both find new IT jobs. The couple then told them they wanted to get involved with a church.  

Abby called a pastor in their city and explained the situation. “Well, we don’t support gay marriage, but we would love to have them in our congregation,” he said. “We have a program that I think would be great for them.” They didn’t remain a couple in that church, Abby says, because they decided their relationship wasn’t healthy. Adam no longer attends the church and is in another homosexual relationship; however, Nick is still involved with the church and has decided that a chaste life is best for him.  Abby is so grateful they didn’t turn them away.