Prepared by Toni Henry, Founder of Ministry, 10/12/04

In 1994, the culture in Charlotte, North Carolina reflected much of the Christian world and life views based in a biblical perspective, the New South, as well as incorporating some fundamentalist considerations.

At that time there was “The Moral Majority”, the “Right to Life” and territorialism among the Christian base.

Much of the Christian community was responsive to the pervading life view.

The timeline of decadence in American culture including: Pornography, “The Sexual Norms of the American Male”, “Playboy” then “Playgirl” geared to the ‘boy/girl’ next door, Abortion legalization, drug use, Planned Parenthood initiatives, STDs, child abuse, euthanasia, and increase in the Foster Care System are all related.

The Christian culture in Charlotte acted against this culture by: individual acts of kindnesses, Sanctity of Life Sunday sidewalk stands, speaking in the media and then developing its own venue. In Charlotte, there was a certain sense of territorialism that is healthy yet we did not seem to respond as one and in a positive approach. In textbooks, abortion, it was argued, would pave the way for wanted children and stop unplanned pregnancies. The opposite of this is true. It has turned into a method of birth control.

During this time, while participating in stands against the impending darkness, there was a group of people that began to pray for a way for us to be initiative in our lifestyle and follow the call to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

A girl named, Jennifer Greene died suddenly. She had of lifestyle of purity, volunteered for crisis pregnancy centers and went on walks holding her Dad’s hand. This was a light that God used in death to bring together some of His own.

We began to pray.

We started a 501 C3. It was passed without any delays. People began writing checks and slowly asking to participate. We decided to use the “Loving and Caring” model, which has been successful for more than 20 years. This incorporates modeling marriage in an evangelical home vs. paid hourly staff. We also purposed to have Jesus Christ foremost in our communications and plan. It is only through him that we can continue, that life is created and kept together [John 1] and others and we can truly change. It is only in him that the separate threads of problems and hope can be woven into a tapestry that reflects His glory.

Remembering as Edith Schaeffer put it in Tapestries that we are all now just looking at each other’s knots. That one day each of our lives will be flipped over. We may have different threads and designs but they all reflect the Glory of Christ.

Update Information (Summer 2008):

Lois’ Lodge was incorporated in 1997. The ministry was determined to be a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 1999. In 2002, the Lois’ Lodge board of directors hired their first Executive Director, Debbie Durrell. Also in 2002, Aana Lisa Whatley, a well known philanthropist in the community of Matthews offer the use of property which she owned on Trade Street in Matthews. This beautiful 5000 square foot home was situated in a wooded setting, isolated from the city proper and was very well suited for the purpose of operating a residential maternity home setting. The Lois’ Lodge maternity home was licensed by the state of North Carolina in the Fall of 2003. At that time we began to welcome our first clients into the home.

At the end of 2006 the Lord opened a door for the ministry to relocate to the Dilworth area. We are currently using properties owned by Central Church of God. With the relocation we acquired additional homes which have enable the ministry to grow by providing aftercare services to both our own clients and women in the community.

Since becoming operational Lois’ lodge has served over 60 women ranging in age from 14 to 42. The average age of our clients is 19 years old. Almost 100% of these women contemplated having an abortion prior to coming to the maternity home. Approximately 50% of our clients have chosen to place their babies with Christian families for adoption through private adoption agencies. The remainder have chosen to parent their child. Lois’ Lodge seeks to create an atmosphere that supports women in making the best choice for their future and the future of their child.