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September 8, 2008

Dear Fellow Christian,

I can recall the times, as a child, when my mother and I would hide in the closet, hoping that my father wouldn't find us or calling my sister to come get us so my father would not beat on my mother.  Those were very scary times and in our own home, where we should all feel safe, my mother and I sometimes were not.

I, obviously, am talking about the epidemic of domestic violence which now plagues the United States and the world.  According to the U. S. Department of Justice, over 4 Million women suffer some form of domestic violence each year in the United States.  They even went further to say that “Every 9 Seconds A Woman Suffers From Domestic Violence”.

Statistics also tell us that child abuse occurs in up to 70% of the homes where domestic violence occurs.  When a parent is victimized by domestic violence, children are abused at a rate 15 times the national average.

According to a 2002 study by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, the US was the only developed nation in the survey where a majority of citizens reported that religion played a "very important" role in their lives.  Over 76% of U. S. citizens identify themselves as Christians. Using the 2000 U. S. Census (281,421,906), that would mean we have 215,287,758 citizens who claim to be Christians.

I have heard many sermons preached over my lifetime, but don't recall ever hearing the words "domestic violence" come from the pulpit and I have been in on many church committee meetings and have never heard the subject discussed.  It's almost like we think that if we remain silent, the problem will just go away, but unfortunately, I can tell you that it will not just go away.

If we adhere to the teachings of scriptures, we will see domestic violence as the sin it is and speak out against it. 

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife

loveth himself."
Ephesians 5:28

"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."
Colossians 3:19

In establishing Life’s New Beginnings, our mission is to promote public awareness of domestic violence and how it affects people, businesses, and the economy.  Domestic violence affects all of us.

If you feel that domestic violence is truly a problem and you are ready to do whatever it takes to stop the violence, then we need your help.  Our major concern in our efforts to provide information is funding.  The cost of printing brochures, pamphlets, postcards, letterhead, bulletins, etc. can sometimes be overwhelming.  The cost of Public Service Advertising is even more overwhelming.  We travel to organizational meetings to promote public awareness of domestic violence, which is also very expensive. We also need billboards in every city announcing that domestic violence is a national concern.

We are asking for your help in whatever donation you can make and in supporting our efforts, you will be saying that you understand domestic violence is a problem and you want to help stop it.

No woman deserves to suffer the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of domestic violence, period.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Bradford, Sr.

President

Life's New Beginnings

P. O. Box 440

Springfield, TN. 37172

Phone:  615-384-8611

FAX:  615-384-2128

E-Mail:  info@lifesnewbeginnings.org

Web:  www.lifesnewbeginnings.org

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Every 9 Seconds A Woman Suffers From Domestic Violence