In today’s News:
Missouri funds pro-life options
Missouri lawmakers just dedicated six and a half million dollars in their new state budget to support mothers who choose life for their babies. Last week, pro-life Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed the budget, which includes funding for the state alternatives to abortion program. The program supports pregnant and parenting mothers and babies through pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes in the state. These organizations provide free services, including pregnancy tests and prenatal care, counseling and job training, diapers and cribs, clothing and food, temporary shelter and more to families in need.
Students consider the ministry
High school students considering a future in ministry are invited to participate in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’ Virtual Vocatio event Aug. 2–4. The event is usually held on campus but has been moved online because of the coronavirus pandemic. During the event, students will explore God’s calling and direction through Bible study and thoughtful conversation about vocation. Students will interact with seminary faculty throughout the event, as well as with representatives from the Concordia University system during a virtual college fair. The event is free, and the registration deadline is July 17. Interested participants can learn more and register a csl.edu/vocatio.
Lutheran missionaries in Asia continue the Lord’s work
LCMS Asia missionaries remain hard at work in their fields of service. Two families returned to the U.S. because they were in high-risk categories and in places where decent medical care was not available. The vast majority of LCMS Asia personnel opted to stay in their assigned countries in the places where they have made their homes. Borders are closed everywhere, and so missionaries find community with neighbors and via remote visits. Sri Lanka was subject to particularly strict lockdowns, with personnel enduring days-long curfews. Teaching conferences may have been put on hold, but the development and translation of resources continues at a rapid pace.
Planned Parenthood received PPP funds
Multinational abortion provider Planned Parenthood was revealed this week to have made off with millions of dollars in government assistance by way of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Established to provide bridge loans to American small businesses crippled by public health lockdowns, the program has been plagued with controversy since its April roll-out as a result of numerous questionable loan approvals for corporate organizations widely believed to have applied without any real need of financial relief. According to official data released Monday by the PPP’s administrators at the United States’ Small Business Administration, Planned Parenthood Federation of America was one such offender, with its locations and affiliates nationwide receiving as much as $150 million in aid from the program.Consolidated financial statements reveal Planned Parenthood possessed roughly $1.9 billion in net assets and saw its total annual revenue exceed $1 billion in both 2017 and 2018.
