The Birth Of A Movement

Last week, we shared with you the story of Ruth Harbor's founding, and the vision God gave to our three founders for a home in Central Iowa for women pregnant or parenting a young child. Ruth Harbor's story, however, is part of a larger movement by God to start maternity homes around the country. To understand this story, you must meet Anne Pierson.

Anne and her husband, Jim, sensed the need to start helping young women who were pregnant and in need of support when they encountered a young woman who was pregnant due to rape. Acting on this calling, Anne and Jim opened their own home to pregnant women at first, and in 1972, they founded a nonprofit, House of His Creation. From the beginning, the maternity home movement was rooted in the healing grace of Jesus Christ.

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Another key value was sown into their movement during these early years: they modeled a family. By inviting women into their home, they also invited them into their family. Anne and Jimmy were raising their own two daughters, Holly and Shelly, and it seemed natural for them to bring more "daughters" into their family.

After serving more than 200 women, Anne stepped out in faith and founded Loving and Caring in 1984 to help nurture and grow the maternity home movement with training, resources, and community. Anne's My Baby and Me workbook series provided much of the philosophical underpinnings of the maternity home movement, and the launch of the National Christian Housing Conference provided the ongoing community.

During the 1980s, Anne's work was recognized by President Ronald Reagan and her contribution to the maternity home movement has been recognized and honored multiple times. Anne's husband, Jim, passed away in 2012, and today Anne is living in Lancaster, PA where she continues to be a prayer warrior for the movement she founded and a voice of encouragement where possible.

Reflecting on Anne’s impact, Ruth Harbor’s long-time executive director stated, “Jim and Anne were friends and cheerleaders for me and Ruth Harbor from the first moment we met. Jim’s love and support for house dads was key for many couples who “lived” and worked in the ministry. Anne helped me get “out of my box” in leading Ruth Harbor, reminding me to focus on the principles of ministry over the tasks and tactics of maternity home work. She has always helped us focus on the ‘why’ and the ‘heart’ of what we do!”

This is the legacy Ruth Harbor is blessed to be a part of. We are standing on the shoulders of women like Anne Pierson, who saw a need, sensed God's call to meet that need, and without hesitation said, "Yes, Lord."

Key Lessons

• Ruth Harbor is part of a movement of maternity homes founded during the 1970s and 80s dedicated to helping pregnant women in need.

• Being Christ-centered and family-based are values that Anne Pierson breathed into the maternity home movement through her own commitment and service.

• Ruth Harbor’s legacy is part of a greater movement of God to help address the needs of women and children.

Resources

• My Baby and Me: Developed by Loving & Caring, My Baby and Me is a series of workbooks designed for counselors to use with pregnant girls as they work through important decisions in their lives.

• National Christian Housing Conference: To see others with renewed passion to fulfill God’s purpose with excellence in their home.

• RuthHarborCares.org (our website for those interested in joining Ruth Harbor as a financial partner).

• RuthHarbor.org (our website for women seeking help).