Review of Unplanned - DVD about Abby Johnson

There's the book, and now the DVD of Abby Johnson's conversion from Planned Parenthood advocate to pro-life trophy. Unplanned (DVD, 60 minutes) actually goes back in time to document how she went from being a good little Southern Baptist girl to a promiscuous college student to pro-choice advocacy. It's compelling to consider how her two abortions contributed to a significant break from how she was raised. And how the birth of her daughter contributed to her eventual break with PP.

The documentary includes testimony from her parents of how she changed from their vivacious child to a secretive and hardened volunteer at Planned Parenthood, and ultimately the director of one of the nation's largest PP affiliates. It also reflects how a few small overtures from pro-life advocates to Abby opened the door when she decided to leave PP.

How to use this DVD: I suggest that a center could use Unplanned several ways.

1. One is as a training tool for volunteers. Either during a training seminar or in-service for ongoing education, this DVD opens the door on what a client is likely to find at an abortion clinic.

2. Another is to reinforce the pro-life message with clients, perhaps in an Earn While You Learn or other mentoring programs, with discussion of such matters as how abortion is made to seem attractive, how abortion clinics treat women, and how there is forgiveness after the sin of abortion.

3. A third use is in educating donors and others -- church groups, youth groups, women's groups, etc. There would be many tie-ins for your center with how the pro-life movement depicted in the DVD behaved toward Abby and toward women seeking abortions.

Learn more: On May 17 at 8:00 p.m. there will be a Unite for Life webcast (free) featuring Abby Johnson and benefiting PCCs. During this webcast, you’ll discover why Abby is now an advocate for the pro-life pregnancy centers and clinics around the nation that truly serve women and save lives. Sign up at www.uniteforlifewebcast.org. From the website, you can purchase both the book and DVD as a package deal; 33% of each purchase will go to organizations like CareNet, NIFLA, and Heartbeaat International.

Win a free copy of the Unplanned DVD! If you've read Abby's book Unplanned, be the first to comment on it here and receive an award certificate for your pregnancy care center redeemable at a local Christian bookstore from Tyndale House Publishers. To be eligible, you must work at, volunteer with, or serve on the board of a pregnancy care center. Include your name, center name, and center address. Winner to be announced immediately.