BY STEVE CRAIN

Special to The Pilot

Abby Johnson, a pro-life activist who worked as a Planned Parenthood clinic director, spoke at the recent annual fundraising event for Life Care Pregnancy Center (LCPC) of Carthage.

About 175 people attended the event held at Robert E. Lee Auditorium on the campus of Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines.

Suzanne Clendenin, LCPC executive director, introduced Johnson, 31, author of "Unplanned," a book telling of her "choice in favor of life." Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in counseling from Sam Houston State University. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.

After her talk, she signed copies of her book, "Unplanned."

"There are 300,000 organized churches in this country," Johnson said. "If the majority of Americans were really pro-life, the abortion numbers wouldn't be increasing each year. ... And 72 percent of those having abortions wouldn't be 'Christians.' ... I believe this is a spiritual battle. Do you?"

Appealing to attendees to support pro-life centers such as LCPC, Johnson said, "Somebody's waiting for you to get involved."

Life Care Pregnancy Center of Carthage, "a Christ-centered ministry that promotes the sanctity of human life," may be reached at (910) 947-6199 or by email at lcpc01@embarqmail.com.

Steve Crain is a Southern Pines writer.