Dear Friends,
On a rainy afternoon when the town I grew up in seemed quieter than usual, Ms. Alsup noticed Brian sitting alone on the school steps, his shoulders slumped like he was carrying more than his backpack. She didn’t ask many questions at first. Instead, she sat beside him and shared a simple story about how she once felt unsure of her own path. Her words weren’t dramatic or loud, but they were steady, like a handrail in the dark. Brian didn’t realize it then, but that moment was his first encounter with the spiritual gift of encouragement— someone choosing to speak hope when it mattered most.
Encouragement often shows up in ordinary moments. It’s the teacher who notices effort instead of just results, the friend who sends a message at exactly the right time, or the volunteer who keeps showing up when others don’t. People with this spiritual gift seem to sense when someone is close to giving up. They don’t pretend struggles aren’t real; instead, they remind others that those struggles aren’t the end of the story. Like Ms. Alsup, they use their words to lift heavy hearts and help people see beyond the rain.
As weeks passed, Brian began to change. He stood a little taller, raised his hand more often, and even started encouraging others without realizing where he had learned it. That’s how the gift works—it multiplies. Encouragement doesn’t stop with one person; it spreads quietly, creating a chain of hope. A kind word given in faith can echo far beyond the moment it’s spoken.
The spiritual gift of encouragement isn’t about having perfect answers or inspiring speeches. It’s about being present, listening well and trusting that words guided by compassion can strengthen someone’s spirit.
Their stories may never be written down, but they are remembered in changed lives, renewed courage and the simple belief that no one walks alone.
I have been very blessed to have encountered many “Ms. Alsups” in my lifetime, both personally and professionally. I am quite sure if you closed your eyes to think for just a moment, you could also identify someone special who has poured into your life like that. In this edition, you will read about many encouragers of our mission and our organization. They are known as people who lift others up and provide support for those who are struggling— the ones who show up for each other. They exhibit real, authentic pro-life values in everything they do and every word they speak. When you read through the words on these pages, I encourage you to look for those people in the stories we share. Names of people whom I love dearly, like our former president, Debbie Stokes, our wise friend Archbishop Emeritus Naumann and dedicated volunteer, Judy Bax, are just a few you’ll see.
In the end, the spiritual gift of encouragement is a quiet but powerful reminder of how deeply words and presence can shape a life. It doesn’t seek attention or recognition, yet its impact is lasting, guiding people through doubt toward hope. When encouragement is given with sincerity and faith, it reflects God’s love in action, reminding others of their worth, their purpose and the strength they may not yet see in themselves. Through this gift, ordinary moments become meaningful, and hearts are gently pointed toward perseverance and trust.
As you turn these pages, may you be reminded that encouragement is not a small gift, but a sacred one. It shapes lives in ways we may never fully see and strengthens communities one faithful word at a time. Just like Ms. Alsup did years ago, the encouragers featured in this edition continue to reflect hope, compassion and courage through their actions and voices. May their stories inspire you not only to recognize the encouragers around you, but also to step confidently into that role yourself—choosing to speak hope when it matters most, especially to the most vulnerable among us, including those facing unexpected pregnancies.
