Pastor Joseph Parker is not only the host of the radio program Hour of Intercession on American Family Radio and the director of outreach and intercession at American Family Association. He has also been lovingly fighting for life through his pro-life work and ministry to mothers in crisis pregnancies for years.
Parker’s journey into pro-life work began while serving with his wife in churches throughout the Mississippi Delta.
He told The Stand, “My wife and I saw a need for additional pregnancy resources in the area.”
Feeling called by God and after much prayer, the couple started their own pro-life ministry.
“It’s been a miraculous journey,” he said. They successfully established a nonprofit organization called Pregnancy Care and Hope Center (deltapchc.org), raised funds for a mobile unit, and assembled a staff.
A milestone was reached in August 2023 as Parker’s ministry officially launched its mobile pregnancy care clinic: ICU Mobile. This mobile unit brings free services directly to women in the Delta, including ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, counseling, baby items, and referrals.
“We want to share the gospel and do discipleship work with the women we serve,” Parker explained. The clinic’s goal is to eventually offer abortion pill reversal as well, allowing them to “save more babies by counteracting the effects of the abortion pill if a woman changes her mind after taking the first dose.”
Even before the official launch of the ministry, the Parkers had already seen God at work. Parker shared a few stories that show the impact of choosing life.
“One young lady had driven all the way to the East Coast to get an abortion. God changed her heart, and she came to us instead. We were able to minister to her and begin an ongoing discipleship relationship.”
In another case, a pastor called about a lady considering abortion. After interacting with the ministry, the lady accepted Christ and chose not to take the abortion pills she already had.
“There are so many stories of babies saved when mothers are given a chance,” said Parker.
When asked how Christians can become pro-life activists, Parker encouraged every believer to ask God to show them what they can do for life.
“There are lots of practical needs – become a donor to your local pregnancy clinic, volunteer, hold a fundraiser, collect baby items, go to events to pray outside abortion facilities. Taking action looks different for each person. But if we all do something within our giftings and capacity, it adds up to make a huge difference,” he said.
Parker has seen firsthand how Christians can powerfully support life through generosity and hospitality.
He explained, “When Christians give financially, donate items, and show hospitality, it speaks volumes to scared mothers who feel they have no way out. I’ve seen women change their minds about abortion after being shown grace and support. There’s something meaningful everyone can contribute if they ask God how to help.”
After nearly 50 years in ministry, Parker continues to advocate for mothers and babies. His decades of deep conviction challenge believers to defend life.
Through the new ICU Mobile unit and other initiatives, this dedicated pastor and activist carries on serving women and honoring Christ in the Delta region and beyond.
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the November 2023 print edition of The Stand).
