Hello, I’m Jill Coward, as you may already know. I am now serving as the CWA North Carolina State Director succeeding our state’s excellent predecessor, Sheri Miller. Sheri moved back to her home state of California in May with her husband to care for her dear mom. As I took on the position in June, things were in full swing and haven’t slowed down since. Though things are still at high speed, especially with HB 2, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself to you.
My involvement with CWA began over 16 years ago when my husband, Steve, and I were in a battle within our five million member church denomination concerning the sanctity of life. It meant a lot to us that CWA covered our struggle in CWA’s March/April 2001 magazine, Family Voice.
Horrifically, our tithes and offerings paid for abortions through the denomination’s health care plan for pastors, staff, and their families. We launched a national letter-writing campaign to all the churches’ pastors acquainting them with this odious doctrine and teaching, which advocates the killing of innocent, unborn children, into which where many bishops, pastors, and other leaders have taken their church. We were flabbergasted to learn that it was the intent of the denomination hierarchy and not some kind of loophole gone awry.
The evil demonstrated from pastors at that time who agreed with the Social Statement on Abortion was evident in the response letters we received. Great anger came from those who disagreed with our pro-life viewpoint, and they tried to shame and discredit us. It was a joy though to hear from the pastors that responded in agreement speaking in love and quoting Scripture. This sadly culminated in the adoption of the health coverage with abortion without restrictions including for sex selection.
Shortly thereafter, I went on staff at the local crisis pregnancy center and got involved with the Charlotte CWA Prayer/Action Chapter. Four years ago, I joined the CWA of North Carolina Steering Committee as their Communications Coordinator. Through the years, I have had the privilege of serving side by side with Sheri and the others on the steering committee with the support of the thousands of members across the state. We have worked on countless projects, legislation, get out the vote activities, events and more. We support the 40 Days for Life Campaign twice a year, and we mobilized our state to vote for and pass the Marriage Amendment in the May 8, 2012, referendum (before a Federal activist judge abolished it in 2014 ruling declaring that it was unconstitutional). We successfully lobbied our North Carolina legislature on the matter of Foreign Laws/Protect Constitutional Rights Bill that protects America’s constitutional rights against the infiltration of foreign laws, including Islamic Sharia Law. With great satisfaction, it is now law in North Carolina. We educated the public and were part of getting Common Core repealed. We defended religious liberties by supporting Senate Bill 2, Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies, which insured that Magistrates and Registers of Deeds will not have to choose between quitting their jobs and violating their deeply held religious convictions in being forced to marry or assign licenses to same sex couples. I’ve traveled to Washington, D.C., several times with other CWA of North Carolina members for numerous rallies, lobbying and training. And most recently, we have battled for HB 2, for the safety and protection of women, children, and all citizens. As you know, it has drawn an immense amount of national attention.
As I now look towards the future of CWA of North Carolina, I am excited to see how God is going to use all of us through this ministry. CWA of North Carolina is a strong organization due to the outstanding efforts of so many. I plan to lead this great organization with the standard that Sheri set from the beginning of seeking the Lord in all things with tenacity and depending on Him for guidance, strength and success.
CWA of North Carolina has great opportunities for involvement. We are seeking people to join with us as Prayer/Action Chapter members or perhaps consider starting a Chapter in your church or neighborhood. We would love to have you join us whether it’s through a Prayer/Action Chapter, community rallies, lobbying our legislators in Raleigh, lobbying our legislators in Washington, D.C., and/or other events, projects and more. You are needed!
Together let us rely on Titus 1:9 as we seek to benefit our communities, state and nation for the glory of God. “Hold fast to the faithful Word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that you will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
Blessings to you! I hope to hear from you soon!
Jill Coward
State Director
CWA of North Carolina
director@northcarolina.cwfa.org
nc.cwfa.org