There once was a woman made to stand before a group. Prestigious religious leaders spearheading the charge ushered her before an attentive crowd. Embarrassed, ashamed, and vulnerable – her darkest secrets and most intimate confessions were broadcast to a community gathered for her sentencing.   

While many Christians who know their scriptures will think of John 8:1-11, Jesus rescuing a young woman nearly stoned for committing adultery, this type of scene isn’t ancient history, even in the forward-thinking, progressive country of America.    

Enter Pastor Terry Jackson of True Vine Apostolic Church, armed with a microphone and camera, ready to shame a young girl in front of not just his congregation but the entire online world. In a church service gone viral, thousands have watched the tearful confessions of a 15-year-old who mustered the courage to speak just two heartbreaking sentences, “I want to apologize to everybody in here because I am pregnant. I just hope that y’all forgive me and be praying for me.”   

Every baby should be welcomed into life and every mother shown love with a baby shower. Who is this 15 year old?

Young lady, @studentsforlife would love to help throw you a baby shower. Reach out, please. https://t.co/gEX3BYkmK9

— Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) January 8, 2025

Following applause and “amens,” Pastor Jackson went on a tangent denouncing even the notion of a baby shower.   

“Ain’t no baby showers going on,” Jackson remarked. “That’s what you lose out on. You have a baby out of wedlock, ain’t no baby showers. Ain’t nobody at this church ‘bout to attend one. Mama shouldn’t have one, neither.”   

If there was any question on Pastor Jackson’s view of God, he added, “Thank God that God didn’t take you out,” as if one mistake would warrant a lightning bolt. In a church saved by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, Jackson had no grace for her.   

No mention of forgiveness.   

No joyful welcome to new life, even if it wasn’t in the best circumstances.  

No line behind her of other congregants who had fallen short that week.  

Unsurprisingly, the church’s Facebook page now has a comment pinned to every post, routing its growing audience to its Cash app account to seemingly squeeze money from their newfound fame. 

As a pastor, a mom, and a once-upon-a-time 15-year-old who had sex before marriage, my heart breaks on every level of this story.   

I’m heartbroken for churches like Jackson’s, now pulled into a time warp where we are viewed no differently than the hypocritical Pharisees of AD 30.   

I’m devastated for her church family, deceived into trusting a leader whose response looked nothing like Jesus, the True Vine, who would have gently offered his forgiveness and grace – maybe even a baby shower.   

I’m moved to tears for our young protagonist, a girl who all at once has been thrust from her childhood and private walk with God into chaotic commentary, motherhood, and losing the version of herself she thought she would be – all unfolding publicly.   

This is the kind of toxic church culture that sends girls silently from pews to abortion facilities, never fully healing while ending the lives of precious children who should be welcomed into the world.  

Enter Jesus, the Messiah, who saw this all coming and brought hope no matter the situation. He knew every sinful act, the ones where we’re caught and the ones we’ve kept hidden – and He went to the cross to pay the penalty anyway. We don’t skip over repentance by any means. We embrace it willingly in the confidence of God’s promise that we will be met with open arms and a gentle hand that lifts our eyes to meet his gaze as He welcomes us into His family.  

Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” It is meant to bring a time of refreshing, not a time of “go back to your seat and hear all about how you’re not good enough for a baby shower.”  

To this young girl and girls everywhere in this situation:  

Please know how much the world’s Savior loves you and your baby. You are forgiven, made new, and adopted. I praise God for your baby and all that he or she will become because you were courageous enough to choose life amid a sea of condemnation. The new life inside you is a gift from God that He has great plans for. You are supported. You and every other young girl facing an unplanned pregnancy can find hope and resources through Standing With You and at Pregnancy Help Centers (PHC) across the country. Even “planned” motherhood is tough, but you’ve got this, and we are standing with you.  

Watch a real inspiring story of a young mom who chose life and was supported by her community.

To anyone left in True Vine Apostolic Church or otherwise who would still insist that Pastor Terry Jackson’s method is Biblical and fair, I invite you to take the microphone this Sunday and go next.  

CONNECT: Standing With You

If you or someone you know needs help and support, visit Standing With You and connect with a community built to care.   

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