February 04, 2010

Collier, others rally Ashlanders for the pro-life cause

(Ashland) Former state representative Thom Collier urged those attending a Sanctity of Human Life rally Sunday night at Southview Grace Brethren Church to do their part to further pro-life efforts in Ashland.

Collier served as guest speaker for the rally, which was hosted by Ashland Care Center. Collier is one of the founders of a similar organization in Knox County.

He spoke about growing up in poverty in Knox County, one of nine children. However, Collier said, he and his siblings were never wanting because of the examples their parents set with their actions and their faith in God.

“The fact is we never lacked anything of importance,” he said. “We had everything that was important; we had love and care.”

He drew parallels between the love his parents freely gave to those who lacked help and guidance with the compassion and guidance provided by those working for the Ashland Care Center.

“My parents, like you, are doers of the word (of God), not just readers,” Collier said. “They saw lack just like you see lack coming through the doors of the Ashland Care Center.”

He encouraged those who packed the church sanctuary to contribute in whatever way they could—through donations, volunteering and prayer—to the efforts of the Ashland Care Center.

Collier, who peppered his talk with plenty of humorous anecdotes, drew a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Maryanne Wise, the newest Ashland Care Center board member, also spoke Sunday night.

In an emotional talk, she described her experience getting an abortion 28 years ago. Wise said that, although she blocked out the experience for many years, she came to terms with it after God drew her into the pro-life cause.

She described the painful process of coming to terms with her guilt, ultimately finding refuge in the fact that it wasn’t about her, but about Jesus.

She has since married and had three children.

Ashland Care Center executive director Ducia Hamm also spoke at Sunday’s rally. She noted that, although the center encountered its share of financial problems and other roadblocks in the past year, it served 20 percent more clients than the previous year.

She encouraged those attending the rally to press on.

“Satan will hit you any place he can,” Hamm said. “But thanks to you who keep standing by in the face of evil.”