ABOUT OUR MINISTRY

A Moment of Hope is an evangelical, Christian outreach at Columbia’s abortion facility, Planned Parenthood. Abortion is still legal in SC. Dozens of women come to the facility every week for an abortion or an out-of-state referral. Peaceful, prayerful, and law-abiding, we winsomely and compassionately offer clients Biblical hope and practical help to choose life instead of abortion. Trained staff provide free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds on our medical RV and local churches organize into Pregnancy Care Teams to provide mentoring, support, and resources.

Additionally, we actively encourage the abortion workers to find God-honoring employment and offer resume help, networking, introductions, and practical transition assistance. By the grace of God, this winsome and compassionate sidewalk counseling and pregnancy support has resulted in the saving of many lives for the Lord’s glory!

A Moment of Hope is overseen by a Board of Directors and is a fully recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. SC Charity ID: P24476

Victories by the Grace of God

• Over the last decade, hundreds of mothers have chosen life instead of abortion for their precious babies! 
• Churches across the state have formed more than seventy Pregnancy Care Teams to walk alongside expectant mothers.
• Four abortion workers have quit their jobs to find work that promotes life and does not destroy it. 
• One or more sidewalk counselors are present at the facility every hour they are open. Thousands of clients receive gift bags with resources and a tract every year. 

Hope Reborn: How it Began

​In 2012, founder Mark Baumgartner was challenged by a friend to go to the Columbia abortion facility to offer hope and help to those arriving (“sidewalk counseling”) as he had previously in Orlando. On the back of a personal business card, his only materials at the time, he wrote, “It’s not too late to change your mind. There are caring people that want to help you.” A woman accepted it on her way in to schedule an abortion.

Afterwards, she drove away, but then circled back to tearfully ask, “Can you really help me?” He connected her with the local pregnancy center and stayed in touch. Less than a week later she texted to say: “I’m not going to end my pregnancy. I want to thank you for giving me a moment of hope so that I could reflect.”

Six months later she sent a picture of her newborn, “Hello Mark, I wanted to share with you the beautiful blessing that God gave my family. This is [my baby]. I want to thank you for being at the end of that driveway that day just to give me a sense of hope in my situation.” Convinced God was at work, a ministry was born named by this very first mother to choose life.