September 21, 2009
Alpha Center 25th Anniversary highlights
Just under a thousand people gathered tonight at the Sioux Falls Convention Center for the Alpha Center's 25th Anniversary Banquet. I took a few pics so I could share them here (sorry they are a bit fuzzy, I was attempting to use my daughters complex camera.)
Pam Tebow spoke. Twenty-some years ago doctors advised her to abort her baby. She refused and her son, Tim Tebow was born. In 2007, he won the Heisman Trophy. It's a powerful testimony of God's touch and how kids with little hope for a future surprise us all when there are people around them who love them no matter what. Tebow told about vultures that surrounded a weak calf near her home in the Philippines (they are missionaries). She told about the cows coming to surround the weak calf and some even rushing the vultures and scaring them off. For 25 years the Alpha Center has come around the most vulnerable in our society and fought off the vultures who prey on the vulnerable and celebrate death.
South Dakota Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard was MC for the evening. He is running for Governor in 2010 and he has a demonstrated commitment to LIFE and kids serving as the executive director of the Children's Home Society of South Dakota.
It was great to hear a few twenty-somethings tell us they were "Alpha babies" and that they "are glad to be alive" and thank the Alpha Center for supporting their moms twenty years ago when others were steering them toward abortion.
The food was great, and there was great music by my friend David Jones (gentlemen, if you are in Sioux Falls, check out his clothing store, David Jones Menswear over by Braccos on S. Western). Also, it was a blessing to my wife and I to see a single mom and baby who we took into our home for a number of months last year tell her story via the video screen.
Mostly I hope Allen and Leslee Unruh felt appreciated for pioneering this ministry and staying the course when it would have been easier to quit. My sense, speaking now of the spiritual atmosphere in the room, was that this event was no finish line. There was a tangible zeal in the room to take the fight for LIFE to a whole nuther level!
Feel free to drop a congratulatory comment or a testimonial here. This is one of those times where if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.
Comments on Alpha Center 25th Anniversary highlights »
friend @ 9:04 am
Last night was great. I loved hearing Pam Tebow's message, and only wish I would have brought my kids to hear it as well. Congrats to Leslee, Allen, and everyone at the Alpha Center on 25 years of ministry to mothers, families and especially to babies. May your rewards be great in heaven.
momoffour @ 9:49 am
The banquet hit so close to home. I too was advised to abort because several doctors were certain my child would have severe birth defects. With strong counsel, encouragement and support from many (you know who you are!) I am the mother to the greatest gift I could have ever received, a healthy baby girl. Without the support of the pro life community and the Alpha Center, my daughter would not be here. Pam Tebow and my testimony speaks to 1 Corinthians 1:25- The foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. I am so glad I did not listen to "human wisdom" and abort my child. God has a bigger plan and I am so excited to watch it come to fruition.
Thank you to all who support life, in any and all circumstances. The banquet confirms that your efforts are making a difference!
theblur @ 2:32 pm
For me the banquet was powerful and perhaps life-changing. Hearing the stories of those women and children rescued by the Alpha Center made me deeply thankful for Alpha. I felt sick thinking about what would have happened without the work of Leslee, Allen, and everyone else who’s been involved. I was also thrilled to see the Truth4Youth and Abstinence Clearinghouse booths. The Alpha Center isn't just helping those in traumatic situations; it’s empowering youth to avoid those trials by saving sex for marriage. The energy Monday night was palpable and I left fired up to join the fight.
fightforlife @ 8:52 pm
It was a great event! If anyone is looking to help with what is next, there is a lot of work to do! Call the Alpha Center to see what you can do to help save unborn South Dakotans - and future taxpayers for all you economists out there! ")
Stacey Wollman @ 7:16 am
Thanks Steve for sharing about this celebration! Congratulations to Allen and Leslee for their obedience 25 years ago. Congratulations to a wonderful staff and volunteers! For standing strong when the strong winds of opposition blow and for leading the way in saving the mother and saving the child! You both have impacted my life in a powerful way! Hugs & much love~Stacey Wollman
fightforlife @ 9:52 am
Wow! Whatan awesome night. Pam Tebow was such an inspiratin to me and the fact that we need to continue this fight for the unborn. I hope you all got to tour the BUS that will be going around to rural communities to share the truth about abortion. What a great girt this willb e to women all over SD, Minn. and Ia. Keep up the great work Alpha Cneter
Annie @ 10:41 am
I attended this event and loved every moment of it! The highlight was definitely the Fleet for Little Feet bus. Imagine the impact they will have, not just in Sioux Falls, but all over the state.
no-tech grampy @ 9:57 am
My word! What a night to remember! A packed house coupled with great music and great food would normally be enough for me to call it a success. That however was just the warm up. So many people commented on the Fleet For Little Feet bus and what a difference it makes to women in rural areas. The message shared by Pam Tebow was exceptional. To think that she was advised to abort a Heisman Trophy winner is remarkable. Seeing and visiting with three young adult "Aplha babies" was the greatest reminder ever that we must never quit fighting for the unborn.
Teatimemom @ 8:34 am
Wow! What a great night that was! Pam Tebow was exceptional, but to hear those kids who were saved by the Alpha Center, that was truly a God moment! They couldn't have said it better that they are thankful to be alive! Keep up the good work Alpha Center, thank you for all you do!