By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — The annual spring banquet for Starting Point combined fundraising and humor with a transition in leadership of the nonprofit organization.
Former executive director Lois Carter said her work with Starting Point has given her 10-and-a-half years of beautiful memories, adding that she has had a front-row seat watching God change and save lives. “The decades ahead are full of opportunities to provide true support and compassion for others in this community,” she said. “We will work hard to stay on the cutting edge of making a difference.”
Now an advisory board member, Carter assured those in attendance that she has not gotten off the bus, she merely has taken another seat. Of new executive director Kassandra Baker, Carter said, “Kassandra has an authentic, uncompromising walk with God.”
“I am simply the next one God has called to fulfill this mission,” said Baker. “I am blessed to have people of faith who are able to help those who walk through the door [of Starting Point].”
Baker spoke of the 3P-focus of Starting Point: Prevention, sexual risk avoidance education; Present Needs, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and parenting classes; and Past Choices, abortion recovery through the center’s Mended Hearts program. She said that in 2014, 155 clients chose life over abortion. “We can’t make the choice for them, but we can give them the information so they can make informed decisions,” she said. “Ultimately, through the 3P’s program we can show them the light of Jesus and help them have a relationship with Christ.”
The center rebranded itself last year; rebranding included a name change, establishing the website KnoxStartingPoint.com, increasing its radio presence and creating new print material. It seems to have worked. Statistics for January through March 2015 show a startling increase over the numbers for the same period in 2014:
*38 percent increase in new individuals seen
*41 percent increase in pregnancy tests
*73 percent in those attending parenting classes
*200 percent increase in ultrasounds
*115 percent increase in those who are undecided about how to handle the unexpected pregnancy
“God’s guiding hand is evident through the rebranding,” said Baker. “We triple checked these numbers, but then I remembered we serve an awesome God.
“One of the driving forces behind our new brand is the desire to reach women who are determined to have an abortion and might even have one scheduled,” she continued. “We have had a 400 percent increase in visits from abortion-minded clients. But probably the most exciting statistic is that four people have accepted Christ so far this year.”
Attendees heard firsthand from Ashley and Tony how Starting Point made a difference in their lives when they sought help for an unplanned pregnancy. Ashley spoke with emotion about the moment she saw her baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound and realized the child was a blessing. Tony spoke about how he learned the tools to be a good parent.
Christian comedian Mike Williams entertained the group with a monologue that included a humorous tale about the first time he experienced an ultrasound. He also had his serious moments. The middle child among four siblings, Williams said his two older brothers were killed on the street and in jail and his two younger sisters he has not seen in years. Taken in at a young age by a Christian family, Williams describes himself as a “rescue kid.” He said he tours the country as a speaker because he is still grateful to that family and as a way of saying thank you.
Part of his story involves a drug addict who continued to take drugs throughout her pregnancy. She wanted to give her son the home she never had and sought help from a pregnancy center in Florida. Giving those in attendance the opportunity to pray about what their financial commitment to Starting Point should be, Williams said, “I am the father of a son born to a drug addict. I have experienced firsthand the difference a center like Starting Point makes.”
Together we are called to make an impact that will last for generations,” said Baker. “My prayer tonight is that you will answer that call.” Starting Point will release the amount raised when final totals are complete. The two-night banquet was held April 9 and April 10 at Faith Baptist Church. For more information about Starting Point call 740-393-0370 or visit KnoxStartingPoint.com. The center is located at 11 Woodlake Trail.
