(Dallas, TX): Council for Life hosted their 10th Annual Run for Life 5K at the Continental Bridge in Trinity Groves on the morning of Saturday, May 4. This was a very exciting and special Run year as Council for Life celebrated one decade of raising awareness about the joys and miracles of adoption. The Run raised funds for two beneficiaries, BraveLove and Buckner Children and Family Services. These agencies are committed to protecting babies and children, building strong families and empowering women to consider adoption when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Many families touched by adoption participated in the Run, and Honorary Run Chairs, renowned physical fitness leader Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper and his wife, Millie, came to enjoy the fun too.

Chaired by husband and wife team Kristen and Sterling Hillman, the family friendly event drew close to 400 women, men, and youth from the Dallas metroplex, many of whom were pushing babies in strollers or had their dogs in tow. “Sterling and I have such a heart for adoption. We are proud to support an event that celebrates the loving, brave decision by a birth mom to place a baby for adoption and the beautiful families involved,” said Kristen Hillman.

Top underwriters for the Run included Susan Blackburn with Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Rosalyn and Daniel Brown, Cooper Aerobics, adoptive parents Natalie and Klint Guerry, and Piñon Foundation. Treats and winning prizes were provided by local vendors Le Gourmet Baking, Union Food Truck, Tom Thumb and Luke's Locker. DJ Troy Dixon provided tunes that had all ages dancing after they crossed the finish line.

About Council for Life

Council for Life (CFL) exists to empower women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices. CFL is motivated by Christ-like love and responsive compassion. CFL is committed to raising awareness of the complex issues that surround unplanned pregnancies and to providing financial support to agencies that share their mission. Learn more at councilforlife.org

(Dallas, TX): Council for Life is pleased to present the 10th Annual 5K Run for Life, Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Continental Bridge in Trinity Groves. This is  a very exciting and special Run year, as Council for Life is celebrating one decade of raising awareness about the joys and miracles of adoption. Run proceeds will benefit two organizations that focus on adoption, BraveLove and Buckner Children and Family Services. Renowned physical fitness leader Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper and his wife, Millie, are serving as Honorary Chairs for the Run. Avid runner, adoptive parent and 2019 Council for Life President, Cathy Sisk, says “We encourage everyone to walk, run, push your child in a stroller, and even bring your dog, while enjoying the beautiful Dallas skyline and helping the cause of adoption!” “This family event is filled with great food, music and entertainment, and we are proud to host a day celebrating strong families built by adoption,” says husband and wife Run for Life Co-Chairs, Kristen and Sterling Hillman.

Pre-registration fee of $35 per person includes t-shirt, timing chip, and post-event refreshments. Packet pick-up is on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 at Luke's Locker, Mockingbird Lane. In addition, any adopted walker/runner, birth parent of an adopted child or adoptive parent will receive a $10 discount at registration. Participants may register online at https://councilforlife.org/run-for-life. 

Race Day Schedule

8:30 a.m. Onsite Registration/Packet Pick-Up

9:00 a.m. 5K Run/Walk

About Council for Life

Council for Life (CFL) exists to empower women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices. CFL is motivated by Christ-like love and responsive compassion. CFL is committed to raising awareness of the complex issues that surround unplanned pregnancies and to providing financial support to agencies that share their mission.  Learn more at councilforlife.org

For more information about Run for Life, please contact Kristen Hillman at kristenrhillman@gmail.com.

DALLAS: Council for Life hosted their annual Life Lessons Box Lunch speaker series on January 30, 2019, at the Museum of Biblical Art. Close to 300 attendees listened intently to two beautiful and brilliant women share their dramatic birth stories that affirm God's power to rescue lives from impossible conditions.

International speaker, attorney, writer, wife and mother Rebecca Kiessling shared the pivotal moment in her life when she learned that her mother had become pregnant with Rebecca as a result of being raped. Premised on her belief that God intends for every unborn child to have the same opportunity to be born, Rebecca said, “I do hope that, as a child conceived in rape, I can put a face, a voice and a story to this issue.” A law at the time spared her from being aborted, and now she works tirelessly to educate and ensure other lives are also protected.

Wife, mother, and now Dallas resident Leyandria Murray Ratomski shared her powerful testimony of having been conceived when her teen mom was only 13 years old. Leyandria’s mother was taken to an abortion clinic by her own mother who was also pregnant and living in poverty. But, when Leyandria’s mother heard her baby’s heartbeat, she was so moved that she could not go through with the abortion.  With God’s help, hard work and the support of others, her  mother was able to finish high school, get a job and send Leyandria to college. Now Leyandria is a pro-life speaker giving hope to teen mothers in poverty. Rotomski said, “I am the baby who was born to a 13-year-old mother born into poverty, and today I’m a college graduate, working, living and thriving. I am living proof it can happen, and that is why I do what I do.”

“We are so grateful that Rebecca and Leyandria shared the importance of speaking the truth of abortion and speaking LIFE into our community”, stated Cathy Sisk, Council for Life’s 2019 President. Life Lessons Box Lunch Chair, Katherine Coker, echoed Cathy’s thoughts saying, “It is stories like these that have the power to change hearts and minds. Everyone needs to hear them.”

About Council For Life

Council For Life (CFL) exists to empower women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices. Motivated by Christ-like love and responsive compassion, CFL is committed to raising awareness of the complex issues that surround unplanned pregnancies and to providing financial support to agencies that share their mission. Learn more at councilforlife.org.

Nearly 900 guests attended Council for Life’s annual Celebrating Life Luncheon on October 29 at the Omni Hotel in Dallas. Multi-Grammy award winner, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, husband and father, Steven Curtis Chapman, moved the audience as he candidly shared his story of the experiences that shaped his faith, family and music.

A man of strong faith and an active advocate for life and adoption, Steven explained, “We make our plans, God directs our steps.” Steven graciously played two songs, one of which he was not sure he would ever play again after the tragic death of his adopted daughter, Maria, just days after her 5^th birthday. He reminded attendees that, “It is in brokenness that God gives us hope and tells us the most beautiful stories.” 

Amy Mitchell served as the 2018 Luncheon Chair. Heather and Ray Washburne were the Honorary Chair and Susan Blackburn served as Underwriting Chair. Generous underwriters provided seating for students from area high schools and representatives from Council for Life’s 2018 beneficiaries.

A special feature of the luncheon was a video that highlights all the work Council for Life does to support life-affirming programs across North Texas. The video may be viewed here.

Over the past 17 years, Council for Life has donated more than $7 million to nearly 50 beneficiaries. Council for Life’s 2018 President, Diane Beckett, shares, “Council for Life is grateful for the faith-based, compassionate services that these agencies provide and for their commitment to empowering women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices.” 

The proceeds from this year’s luncheon will benefit 13 agencies including:  Aim for Success, Birth Choice of Dallas, Catholic Pro-Life Committee, Heroic Media, Hope Women’s Center, Just Say YES – Youth Equipped to Succeed, LifeTalk Resource Center, Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Prairie, Pregnancy Resource Center of Rockwall and Mesquite, Real Options for Women, Southwest Pregnancy Services, Thrive Women’s Clinic and YoungLives, a ministry of Young Life. Click here to learn more about the specific needs Council for Life funded through the Celebrating Life Luncheon.

About Council for Life

Council for Life (CFL) exists to empower women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices. Motivated by Christ-like love and responsive compassion, CFL is committed to raising awareness of the complex issues that surround unplanned pregnancies and to providing financial support to agencies that share their mission. Learn more at councilforlife.org.

DALLAS: Council for Life announces that the featured speaker for the 2018 Celebrating Life Luncheon will be Steven Curtis Chapman, the most awarded artist in Christian music history and Co-Founder of Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans.  Council for Life Board Member Amy Mitchell, a dedicated community leader who champions countless ministries and organizations, will serve as the Luncheon Chairwoman.  “Securing Steven Curtis Chapman is a huge win for us.  He is so talented and will deliver an amazing message about the value of every human life,” Mitchell said.

Honorary Chairs for this year’s luncheon are long-time supporters of Council for Life Heather and Ray Washburne.  

The 17th annual Celebrating Life Luncheon will be held on October 29th, 2018 at a new location – the Omni Hotel.  The expansive Dallas Ballroom can easily accommodate what promises to be Council for Life’s largest and most successful event to date.

Council for Life has raised more than $7 million dollars to fund a multitude of agencies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including pregnancy resource centers, adoption agencies, residential maternity care, risk-avoidance education, counseling programs, mentoring, and media outreach.

Proceeds from the Celebrating Life Luncheon will benefit 13 agencies on the “frontline,” actively furthering Council for Life’s mission of empowering women, men, and youth to make life-affirming choices. “We are humbled to partner with these highly-qualified, life-saving organizations,” said Diane Beckett, president of Council for Life.

To learn more about this year's beneficiaries, visit: https://councilforlife.org/2018-beneficiaries
For tickets and underwriting opportunities please visit: https://councilforlife.org/register-for-2018-celebrating-life-luncheon