My wife Mary and I began attending First Baptist Dallas in the summer of 2009. We came from a non-evangelical mainline protestant denomination very discouraged that we were not being fed spiritually and that we were missing a gospel message. We immediately heard solid biblical messages at First Dallas, accepted the Lord as our savior and were baptized in the historic sanctuary in Dec. 2009.

We came to First Dallas with a strong belief in the sanctity of life. It wasn’t long before we were introduced to the ministry and work of Involved for Life. Initially it was Mary who was invited to a luncheon seeking to raise funds for an ultrasound unit and the Lord accomplished a mighty work that day and the needed funds were raised. I became acquainted with the staff at IFL and the work that was being done and developed a desire to serve the ministry as a volunteer with the mobile sonogram unit at the various sites around the city where it was providing services to young women.

God had different plans for me, and I was persuaded to join the ministry as a member of the Board if Directors in late 2012. I have been on the board ever since and have served three terms as board chair. In the years since, Mary and I have both been blessed to experience the growth of the ministry from a crisis pregnancy center to a full medical clinic for women, seeking full accreditation to provide many expanded services. Of particular significance to us has been the focus on reaching out to young women with the message of Jesus’ saving grace, and to not only save lives in the womb, but the souls of the moms who come through our doors. We have been amazed at the dedication, professionalism, and loving hearts of all the staff at IFL, and it is a joy to serve alongside of them, and to support and lift them up.

We have expanded our reach in recent years to SW Dallas where we opened a small but growing clinic, and have been seeking to respond to even greater needs in the Garland community where our presence has been encouraged by many civic organizations. Earlier this year IFL closed on the purchase of a property in Garland well suited to a new clinic. Much work will be needed before we can open our doors to young women in need. We as a couple are committed to continue our support of this vital ministry, and we ask each of you receiving this message to prayerfully consider joining us in bringing this dream to reality with your prayers and financial gifts.

God Bless,

Lee and Mary Russell