(Orlando, FL) The Orlando Women’s Center has been in the news recently for offering a $100 off coupon to women seeking abortions. Prior to that they offered $50 off Sunday abortions. This clinic is one of the most active in the country. The abortion clinic is owned and operated by James Scott Pendergraft. His clinic was recently reopened after its equipment was seized in June due to a debt collection.
WFTV Channel 9 provided some background on Pendergraft.
Pendergraft has been in the news before. He has lost his license five times in the Florida, most recently in April after he failed to pay another debt to the state of Florida for fines related to a former license suspension for an illegal
third-trimester abortion.The doctor has been accused of botched abortions and performing that illegal third-trimester abortion. Pendergraft said he did not realize the woman was in her third trimester.
Pendergraft said the clinic had to borrow equipment because the previous equipment is still in possession of the sheriff’s office.
In the midst of this horrific scene, light shines. Leclerc Brothers Moving Pictures visited the Orlando Women’s Center to profile John Barros. Barros who is a member of St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, FL said God called him to full-time ministry at the clinic. Over the last three years, rain or shine, Barros prays and counsels in front of the clinic for 9 hours a day, six days a week. In his time serving there while most women pass by God has used him to help save 1000 babies through sharing the Gospel to women who will listen. At an abortion clinic that aborts 400 babies a year, Barros sees approximately 30 women a month change their mind.
He says he is there to provide help and hope, not to be an enemy to the women seeking abortion.
Watch this inspiring story in the video below that also features R.C. Sproul, Jr., a teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries (run by his father, R.C. Sproul, Sr. who is a teaching elder at Barros’ church) and a professor at Reformation Bible College in Orlando.
Barros started the website, WhoWillStand.net in hopes that he will recruit men all around the country to adopt their local abortion clinic.
I’ve said before that this issue can’t be dealt with through politics alone. Here is an inspiring example of how one man can make a difference.