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Welcome!

We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Singapore, the location of Heartbeat International’s 1st Pan-Asian Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit. You are in for a treat to be with over 45 other life-affirming leaders!

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and remains the largest and most expansive network in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened, and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 4,000 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational, Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Our Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so abortion is unthinkable.

Our Mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE.

Tatum Cole is a registered nurse specializing in women’s health, with five years of experience providing compassionate, life-affirming care. She currently serves as an APR (Abortion Pill Reversal) Hotline Nurse with Heartbeat International, where she supports women navigating urgent and complex pregnancy decisions.

Previously, Tatum was the Nurse Manager at Hope First in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she led clinical services including pregnancy testing, STD testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, and abortion pill reversal care. Her work reflects a strong
commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered support.

Tatum holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Appalachian State University. As a military spouse since 2012, she brings a global perspective to her work, currently living and serving overseas.

Johanna Durairaj, a devoted wife to her Indian husband and a mother of five, began her journey toward natural birth following her initial C-section delivery with her first child. Drawing from her own personal experiences and driven by a passion for empowering pregnant mothers, Johanna has dedicated over a decade of her life to actively serving and assisting pregnant women. In 2011, while accompanying a pregnant mother to the hospital, Johanna confronted the limitations of the healthcare system. It was at this moment that the idea of a natural birthing home took root in her heart. Johanna’s mission is to create a space where families can embrace parenthood with beauty, respect, and the dignity they deserve. As a La Leche certified lactational consultant, she also offers expertise to support and guide mothers on their breastfeeding journey. She and her husband direct Life for All in Coimbatore, India.

Ellen Foell, J.D., serves as the International Program Specialist for Heartbeat International, where she supports around 1,500 affiliates in more than 100 countries. With a background in law and ministry, Ellen first joined Heartbeat as Legal Counsel. After a season of writing and nonprofit advocacy, she returned to Heartbeat to focus on global outreach, offering training, mentorship, and strategic support to pregnancy help organizations. Ellen has represented Heartbeat at the United Nations, and her work has taken her to countries worldwide. A dedicated wife and mother of four, Ellen brings a heart for missions, years of cross-cultural ministry experience, and a deep commitment to life-affirming care around the globe.

Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International, the largest affiliation network of pregnancy help organizations in the world serving nearly 4,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Jor-El leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders serving in Heartbeat affiliated life-affirming pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. Jor-El oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to reach and rescue lives at-risk for abortion through far-reaching programs that include Option Line and Abortion Pill Rescue Network.

Melissa Heiland is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 13. She holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Central Missouri. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Feet International, a mission organization that starts international pregnancy centers. Beautiful Feet has over 200 pregnancy ministries in over 40 nations. Melissa is an author, speaker, and missionary. She has written a training manual for pregnancy centers, a curriculum for pregnancy centers, and devotionals for new and pregnant moms, as well as devotionals for mission teams. Her passion is teaching others to share the Gospel and to protect life. www.BeautifulFeetInternational.com

Jennifer Heng is passionate about building a culture of life in Singapore and Asia. She is the Director and Founder of Safe Place, an initiative that empowers women with unsupported pregnancies to make life-giving choices. Her strong communication and leadership skills, as well as a passion for building a culture of Life enable her to increase the impact of her work and role. She tells her own inspiring life story in her book “Walking Out of Secret Shame.”

Wade Kim is currently the Welfare Director of Women’s Hope Center in Korea. He has been with WHC since March 2017.

Juli Sharpe is the CEO of Genesis Pregnancy Support Inc, and has been involved with Genesis for 20 years, originally as a counselor and then as a teacher. She is a delegate to the International Conference on Pregnancy Support in the US. 3 children and 5 grandchildren in her family.

Dr. Roopa Verghese is an obstetrician-gynecologist and bioethicist with extensive experience in both clinical practice and ethical leadership. She completed her graduation and post-graduation at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, followed by master’s degrees in Sweden and at Trinity International University in Chicago. She currently serves with the Emmanuel Hospital Association, a network of 20 hospitals serving rural communities across North and Northeast India. Based in Chattarpur, Dr. Verghese is the Medical Superintendent and Senior Consultant, providing both medical care and organizational leadership. In addition, she is the Executive Director of the Center for Bioethics India, where she leads initiatives to advance ethical reflection and practice in healthcare. An accomplished author, Dr. Verghese has written five books on obstetrics, gynecology, and bioethics. She also shares her reflections through her personal blog and podcast, Life in Introspection.

She is married to Dr. Jewel Jagan Jacob, an anesthetist and critical care physician, whom she describes as her partner in every venture. Together, they are blessed with a daughter, Jeroosha, who is currently in Class 11.

Leandro Dela Cruz

A few details to make the Summit an enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Please be on time for all sessions.

• You must wear your Summit badge for entry to the dining area.

• Thursday afternoon, you will have an option to tour our host center, aLife. Thereafter, you will have time to tour Singapore. Dinner will be on your own on Thursday and Friday.

We are glad you are part of the Heartbeat family.
At this Summit, we are pleased to welcome representatives from several nations around the world!

For affiliation services and questions, please contact
Ellen Foell, J.D., International Program Specialist at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
whatsapp/signal +1(614)302-3664

• International Posts
• About Affiliation With Us
• International News

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Herzlich Willkommen!

We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Berlin, the location of Heartbeat International’s next European Pregnancy Help Leaders' Summit.

Dates: September 17–19, 2026
City and Country: Berlin, Germany
Venue: NH Alexander Platz Hotel

Registration will open in May 2026.

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and remains the largest and most expansive network in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened, and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 4,000 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational, Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Our Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed, and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so abortion is unthinkable.

Our Mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE.

Ellen Foell, J.D., serves as the International Program Specialist for Heartbeat International, where she supports around 1,500 affiliates in more than 100 countries. With a background in law and ministry, Ellen first joined Heartbeat as Legal Counsel. After a season of writing and nonprofit advocacy, she returned to Heartbeat to focus on global outreach, offering training, mentorship, and strategic support to pregnancy help organizations. Ellen has represented Heartbeat at the United Nations, and her work has taken her to countries worldwide. A dedicated wife and mother of four, Ellen brings a heart for missions, years of cross-cultural ministry experience, and a deep commitment to life-affirming care around the globe.

Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International, the largest affiliation network of pregnancy help organizations in the world, serving over 4,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Jor-El leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders serving in Heartbeat-affiliated life-affirming pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. Jor-El oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to reach and rescue lives at-risk for abortion through far-reaching programs that include Option Line and Abortion Pill Rescue® Network.

 ANNOUNCING MORE SOON!

A few details to make the Summit an enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Please be on time for all sessions.

• You must wear your Summit badge for entry to the dining area.

We are glad you are part of the Heartbeat family.
At this Summit, we are pleased to welcome representatives from several nations around the world!

The 2026 Summit will offer workshops and discussions designed to strengthen every aspect of your ministry, including:

• Media and technology
• Client care
• Housing
• Fundraising
• Spiritual encouragement

More details coming soon. Registration opens May 2026!

For affiliation services and questions, please contact
Ellen Foell, J.D., International Program Specialist at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
whatsapp/signal +1(614)302-3664

• International Posts
• About Affiliation With Us
• International News

Open this page in Google Chrome to use Google Translate! Click here to download Google Chrome on your device!

Üdvözlöm!

We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Budapest, the location of Heartbeat International’s 5th European Pregnancy Help Leaders Summit. You are in for a treat to be with over 55 other life-affirming leaders!

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and remains the largest and most expansive network in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened, and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 3,500 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational, Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Our Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so abortion is unthinkable.

Our Mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE.

Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International. He leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders and developing leaders of Heartbeat’s affiliated pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and  adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. He oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to be the leadership supply line for the growing pregnancy help movement worldwide by providing accurate information, training resources, leadership development conferences, programs, and daily support to help affiliates start, grow, and expand their services to women and couples at risk for abortion. 

Jor-El comes to Heartbeat having served in the pregnancy help movement since 1988. He first served as a volunteer at Hope, a pregnancy help center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Then he joined their board, served as Chair, and then as the Executive Administrator. In 1999, Jor-El became Executive Director of Life Choices in Longmont, Colorado. Six years later, in 2006, Jor-El accepted the call to help Heartbeat International meet the diverse and expanding leadership needs of the pregnancy help movement as Vice-President of Heartbeat International.

Dr. Giuseppe Grande was born in Catanzaro, Italy. He obtained his medical degree at the Catholic University in Rome, where he completed his training in Endocrinology cum laude. 

Dr. Grande has more than 10 years of experience in andrology and reproductive endocrinology, with special interest in diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, as an alternative to in-vitro fertilization. He works at the Centre of Medicine for Natural Procreation (ISI) at the Policlinico A. Gemelli Catholic University in Rome.

He is the author of 25 scientific papers in the fields of andrology and reproductive endocrinology.

Dr. Grande is a member of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, the Italian Society of Endocrinology, the European Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society. In addition to his medical practice, he serves as the Secretary General for Movimento per la Vita Italiano, the Italian federation of pregnancy help centers, maternity homes and pro-life associations in Italy. 

He is a 2019 recipient of Heartbeat’s Servant Leader Award.

Svetlana Jovanova has been the Founder and CEO of Lydia – A Beating Heart since its foundation in 2012 and is now the Leader of the Balkan Network for Life. She has attended multiple trainings and conferences with Heartbeat International and is certified in peer counseling. She is LAS-certified by Heartbeat International and certified as a reproductive loss trainer for the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care.

Robert and Sandrina Jurjevich serve as pastors in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as overseeing the crisis pregnancy ministry, Center For Life LIGHTHOUSE. They have four married children and are especially blessed with six grandchildren. Their ministry experience in the USA, Europe, and particularly the Balkan region, spans over the 40 years of their marriage. The ministry of LIGHTHOUSE is reaching many women faced with a crisis pregnancy, training pregnant moms, and counseling women suffering from the consequences of having had an abortion.

Teodora Diana Paul is President of Students for Life Bucharest Association and is part of the March for Life Bucharest organizing committee. She joined the pro-life movement in 2020 and has since participated in, organized, and spoken at various pro-life events, particularly for youth. Teodora graduated in 2024 from the Faculty of History and Philosophy of Babeș-Bolyai University and is currently a third-year student at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the University of Bucharest.

Filip Petrovski, from Macedonia, works at Lydia – A Beating Heart helping with their technical support as a software developer. He is also a local missionary with CRU (Agape). He’s married to Alexandra, a family therapist who works at Lydia – A Beating Heart and a new father to a baby boy. 

Vesna Radeka was born in 1974 in Novi Sad, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia). She attended Philosophical College and received a degree in Serbian Literature and Language. In 2009, Vesna finished graduate academic studies at the Novi Sad Theological Seminary. In 2004, Vesna started a pioneer work in the field of pro-life ministry in Serbia and currently serves as president of A Place for Me Pregnancy Care Center whose aim is to raise awareness about the value of human life in Serbia and in the  Balkans.

Through providing confidential and non-judgmental assistance in a caring and supportive environment she wants to affirm LIFE and make abortion an unthinkable option. In 2015, the center opened the NEST Maternity Home for women who are pregnant or with a baby and without the support of their partner or family. Vesna is married to Nesha, who is pastoring Nexus Evangelical Church in Novi Sad, Serbia. They have three children, Danilo, David, and Anastasija.

Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, PhD, serves as legal counsel, Europe, for ADF International in Vienna, Austria. He is a lawyer specializing in constitutional and human rights law and conducts legal advocacy in Europe to promote and protect parental rights, free speech, children’s right to life, as well as freedom of conscience and religion. Prior to joining ADF International, Prof. Morales Sancho lectured on constitutional and human rights law at the University of Navarra (Spain) and as an invited professor at the University of Münster (Germany).

Guillermo was a visiting scholar at the University of Cologne thanks to the grant awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which recognized him as the best candidate of the call. In addition to his native Spanish, Morales is fluent in English and German and speaks conversational French.

Tracie Shellhouse, Vice-President of Ministry Services, began serving in pregnancy help as a volunteer client advocate in 2003. She has served as an abstinence educator, client services director, executive director, CEO, and consultant. As Heartbeat  International’s Vice-President of Ministry Services, she oversees a team of dedicated individuals committed to the growth and development of the pregnancy help movement. Tracie has an M.A. in Biblical Counseling, is a board-certified Master Christian 
Life Coach, and is a Life-Affirming Specialist. Her passion is enabling people to live abundant lives by helping them discover their God-given purposes and empowering them to live according to their original designs.

Gib Wood (Woody) was raised on a dairy farm in Brunswick, Maine. He discovered the joy of a relationship with Jesus while stationed at Sembach Air Base in Germany. In 1978, he was saved at the Rheinland Baptist Church where he has pastored since 
1991.

Bro. Woody and Kathy were married in June 1980. The Woods have served the Lord in Germany since October 1986. He has faithfully served the Ramstein-based Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center for over 30 years and has been a frequent presenter at the European summits.

A few details to make the Summit an enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Please be on time for all sessions.

• You must wear your Summit badge for entry to the dining area.

• Friday night you will have an option to tour the Hungarian Parliament Building, one of Europe’s most beautiful buildings. Thereafter, you will have time to tour Budapest, and take a ride on the Danube. Dinner will be on your own.

We are glad you are part of the Heartbeat family.
At this Summit, we are happy to welcome the following nations and representing organizations:

For affiliation services and questions, please contact
Ellen Foell, J.D., International Program Specialist at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
whatsapp/signal +1(614)302-3664

• International Posts
• About Affiliation With Us
• International News

Voice for Life (Glas za Život) -  Bosnia and Herzegovina

Our vision is to help women in the situation of unplanned pregnancy, by walking alongside them in their own unique circumstances. We provide counseling, as well as emotional and material support. We also help women who have suffered reproductive loss and have had abortion/s to find healing and restoration.

These are some of our client's testimonials:

I got pregnant with my third child unexpectedly. My first thought was, oh no, how are we going to provide for this one?! I went to see a doctor and he told me I was 12 weeks pregnant. The only thought I had in my mind is to have an abortion. I thought that would be the most responsible decision. Still, I had my doubts, so I decided to look for answers online. There I found your FB page, and I read that you help women in crisis pregnancy.

I called you, and you were so patient and kind to me. I talked to my husband after that and we both agree that we actually want this baby and that we will manage to provide for her somehow. Now after A was born, we couldn’t imagine our lives without her. Thank you so much for being there for me and for encouraging me to make the right decision.

At the beginning of our relationship, everything was “perfect”. He was kind, gentle and loving. However, the moment I told him I was pregnant, he completely changed. He said he could pay for my abortion and that things can go back to how they were before. I was raised Catholic, and I knew that abortion was wrong. I told myself that I will not have one. Still, I didn’t know what to do. I went to the priest and I asked for help. He told me he could refer me to some people who could help. He connected me to a lady who then connected me to your center. Words can’t express how grateful I am that you paid my rent for all of those months when I couldn’t afford a place to stay. I’m forever grateful to you all for providing a safe place for me and my daughter.

Through “Save One” that you offered me as a tool for healing I discovered some wounds that I was still carrying around. Through all of this, I’ve learned (and I’m still learning) the following:

• I believe that God forgave me in His mercy, even though I remember and cry about it sometimes.
• I have to accept forgiveness, not because of my own merit, but by the grace of God.
• I want to move on trusting that I will help someone else change their view on unborn life.

Center for Life LIGHTHOUSE (Centar za Život SVJETIONIK) – Bosnia and Hercegovina

 WHO ARE WE?

The LIGHTHOUSE Center for Life, the first pro-life registered center in the nation of Bosnia and Hercegovina since 2001, is managed by Robert and Sara (Sandrina) Jurjevich. The LIGHTHOUSE offers information and education for women about pregnancy, regardless of whether it is planned or unplanned. Through our educational activities and workshops, we aim to answer the questions that pregnant moms have concerning their pregnancy and how to prepare for the most precious gift in life – parenthood.

The highest priority of the LIGHTHOUSE ministry is to offer hope to women facing a crisis pregnancy and to offer alternatives to abortion, which is considered the main birth-control remedy in Bosnian society.

Testimony: “I was in a situation where I already had one baby of 14 months and found myself quickly with an unplanned pregnancy with a second baby. I was hit with fear and worry. What now? It was too soon…would I be able to handle it or not, because there was little difference … I have no help … I have no one … I will go crazy … I will fall into a depression. I cried and said to myself I did not wish for or want an abortion. By chance, I then came across the website of the LIGHTHOUSE! While seeking advice I wondered why this website? How could they help me? I received support through counseling and understanding. The pregnancy calendar I received prevailed, and I did not decide on an abortion. Through it, I learned so much that I didn’t know about. I highly recommend the LIGHTHOUSE! To everyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances and does not know what decision to make, contact the LIGHTHOUSE!” – I.G., Sarajevo

‘PREPARE FOR YOUR BABY’ PREGNANCY WORKSHOPS. Throughout the year the LIGHTHOUSE team offers a course of 6 consecutive weekly workshops for pregnant moms where we discuss the development of their baby in the 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters of pregnancy; the importance of a healthy diet and exercise; preparation for the birth of the child; and, what to expect in the first weeks after birth.

In the workshops, we provide pregnant moms with a nine-month pregnancy calendar called ‘The Miracle of Life’ which walks them through the details of their pregnancy month by month. Additionally, at the end of the workshop, the attendees receive a gift bag filled with items they will need for the baby.

Testimony: “All the information, examples, exercises were useful in preparation for giving birth, staying calm, understanding my body through each stage of development. The breathing exercises were most important for me during my own experience in giving birth because I was able to control the pain and helped myself and the baby.” – Samka M. H., Sarajevo

We stay in touch with the moms up to the first birthday of their child.

OTHER SERVICES OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

• Counseling after a stillbirth or crib death
• Post-abortion healing classes
• Humanitarian aid for single moms and families in need of food, clothing, firewood, etc.
• Online counseling
• Publishing books and literature focused on pregnancy issues