Endorsements

Lindale Church, Houston, Texas

Pastors: Randy and Jana Meeks

In the course of our Pastorate at Lindale Church, in the inner city of Houston Texas, we have enjoyed the privilege of hosting many diverse ministries, of which none have we been more profoundly proud than, Beauty for Ashes Ministries International.

The mission of BFAMI is so very close to the heart of our precious Lord! To bind up the brokenhearted, to set captives free, and to give them beauty for ashes couldn’t be more scriptural.

Beauty for Ashes is a non-denominational ministry. We have had the blessing of hosting BFAMI and watched Lana Sanders as she pours her life into the walking wounded as they enter our church to go through the BFAMI Bible Study, Retreat and Memorial. The extreme care, consideration, and unconditional love she lavishes on these precious ones has earned her the Lay Leader of the Year Award 2003/2004, from Lindale Church and the 2004 Lay Leader of the Year Award from the South Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God.

The healing and restoration we have witnessed in so many people since we have hosted the ministry has been miraculous. At this extremely sensitive and vulnerable point in time, women are finally willing to face their shame and seek healing for their wounds. Lana bathes them in affirmation, encouragement, God’s truth and hope as Jesus heals their hearts and restores their souls. The word of God is their only standard of council and the cross is their anchor. BFAMI has raised up and trained many leaders that walk in their footsteps as they follow Christ in this ministry.

Does all of this sound like Jesus? Well, we can tell you, it sure feels like exactly what we believe our Savior would do. Beauty for Ashes Ministries International is a direct result of a vision birthed right out of the heart of God. We highly endorse the ministry of BFAMI and it will always be welcome at Lindale Church.

Pastors, Randy and Jana Meeks

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Carol Everett – Endorsement

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Texas Right to Life

Texas Right to Life is pleased to have partnered with Beauty for Ashes Ministry International, and particularly Lana and Ray Sanders, for a number of years and on a number of different life-saving projects.

In 2003, the Texas Legislature passed an informed consent before abortion bill, known as the Woman’s Right to Know Act, and Lana traveled to Austin to serve as an expert witness in favor of the bill. Lana was able to share with legislators and policy makers her experience as pregnancy center director, in which she counseled and touched the lives of countless women facing unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion. Lana also recounted her journey as a woman who chose abortion and later found healing and purpose in that choice by turning the abortion and its effects on her into a beautiful ministry aimed at helping other post-abortive women find healing. Her testimony in the State Senate proved crucial in convincing legislators that Texas needed more restrictions on the profitable abortion business and higher safeguards for the health of women.

Beauty for Ashes Ministry International restores both men and women suffering from the pain of abortion; both Ray and Lana have selflessly given their lives to the service of God and His walking wounded.

Ray and Lana share Texas Right to Life’s vision of capturing college-age youth before these young men and women are confronted with an unplanned pregnancy. When our college students (who are awarded partial tuition stipends for leading prolife efforts on their campuses) gather each summer for training before returning to their campuses, Lana spends time with our scholars, training them on prolife ministry and identifying the reasons why women feel that abortion is their only option so that the students can more effectively reach their at-risk peers. The students recognize that the leadership of Beauty for Ashes Ministry International speaks from experience and is committed to many facets of restoring the culture of life.

Lana made such an impact on the students that they requested permission to be away from their summer training to attend the conference held by Beauty for Ashes Ministry International on post-abortion counseling and outreach. They were not disappointed and learned much. The students were excited to return to their campuses, further equipped by Ray and Lana with compassionate ways to reach those who are too ashamed to seek healing from an abortion.

We pray that God continues to bless Texas Right to Life and the prolife movement through the work and outreach of Beauty for Ashes Ministry International

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Beauty For Ashes was a God send for our center. Women who were bound by guilt and shame because of abortions they had, were set free.

These women were loved and ministered to with attention to detail in every aspect of their life. One woman said, “I was bound by so much condemnation, that every day I would get high just to escape it. Through Beauty for Ashes I have learned that my baby is waiting for me, and God forgives me!”

Praise God there is a ministry like this for women who are bound by chains of guilt. Thank you Beauty for Ashes, and all your workers for caring for each and every woman individually.

Shawne Gatoura

Vocational Coordinator

Houston Campus