Amy Ford: Why I Started Embrace Grace (and My Unplanned Pregnancy Story)

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At 19, Amy Ford’s world was turned upside down when she discovered she was pregnant.

A powerful testimony of hope, grace, and the birth of a movement that supports women with unplanned pregnancies.

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At 19, Amy Ford’s world was turned upside down when she discovered she was pregnant. Raised in church but lacking a personal relationship with God, she feared rejection, shame, and the loss of her dreams.

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In this deeply personal episode, Amy shares:

Her unplanned pregnancy story and the struggles she faced with shame and church rejection
How God used her pain to inspire the creation of Embrace Grace
The pivotal moments that changed her life, including her son’s powerful revelation years later
How a simple idea for a small group grew into a global movement supporting women with unplanned pregnancies

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Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn

How God can redeem painful experiences and use them for good
The power of the church and community in walking alongside women facing unplanned pregnancies
Practical inspiration for starting or leading a local Embrace Grace group
How personal testimony can spark a global movement

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Get Involved / Join the Movement

Lead a Group: Start an Embrace Grace group in your church and help women experience hope and support.
Partner With Us: Support our mission financially and help us reach more women.
Share the Podcast: Help spread Amy’s story and the message of hope.

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Listen to the Episode

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Read more Embrace Grace
stories

Lioneisha

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I hope other moms who feel scared or uncertain know they don't have to go through pregnancy alone.

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Nancy

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace gave me a place to be honest about what I was feeling, taught me how to love myself and give myself grace, and most importantly, helped me reconnect with God. I am truly blessed to have found such a wonderful community.

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Tiffany

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Their love didn't stop when the semester ended. They have continued loving my children and walking alongside our family.

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Liz

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Thank you, Embrace Grace, for every hug, every word of encouragement, every prayer, and every act of kindness.

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Sabrina

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I now have confidence knowing that I am strong, worthy of His love, and that He has always been with me, even when I couldn't see it.

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Tasia

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

From my first meeting, I felt welcomed. It meant so much to be surrounded by women who supported me and understood what it was like to have a baby in difficult circumstances.

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Lorrie

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

The first time I went, I couldn’t stop crying. I still had so many questions, but I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

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Hannah

Embrace Grace Leader

I’m so grateful for what God did through our very first Embrace Life group and for the community that continues beyond it!

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Kala

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I thank God for placing Embrace Grace in my path because I don’t know where I would be without a community that cared for us the way they did.

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Ciera

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I thank God for leading me to Embrace Grace, and I'm so grateful for the lovely women who were there for me when I needed them most and continue to love us today.

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Stephanie

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace strengthened my faith and taught me that my security isn't found in a job, a plan, or my circumstances. It's found in God.

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Adriana

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Every week gave me something to look forward to. The meals, the friendships, and the encouragement reminded me I wasn't alone.

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Olivia

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Their support reminded me that my life wasn't ruined. Instead, I found purpose, and a community where I truly belonged.

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Kayci

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Since joining Embrace Grace, I've found a true sense of belonging and security.

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Jessica

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace gave me hope, healing, and a community that continues to walk beside my family today.‍

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Sarah

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Over the next twelve weeks, we laughed together, cried together, prayed together, and built a community rooted in the kind of grace only God can provide.

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Kia

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I stopped believing I wasn't enough and started seeing myself the way God sees me. That gave me the confidence to pour into my kids in a new way and remind them that no matter what life brings, we can always trust God to carry us through.

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Che

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

For the first time in a long time, I truly encountered Him again.

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Renee

Embrace Grace Leader

Watching God replace fear with hope and surround her with a community that loves and supports her has been one of the greatest reminders of why Embrace Grace exists.

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Grace

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Having a community of other single moms to walk alongside has been such a gift. Looking back, Embrace Grace didn't just support me through my pregnancy. It helped lead me back to Jesus.

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Amanda

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I walked into my first meeting expecting judgment, but instead I found grace. The leaders and mentors reminded me that my identity wasn't found in my mistakes but in Christ.

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Rickiah

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

The day before I had a scheduled abortion appointment, I cried out to God and asked Him for a sign. Almost immediately, He answered my prayer through a video that reminded me every life has purpose.

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Zulainey

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

The thought of raising my baby alone felt heavy, and I questioned whether I was strong enough for everything that was ahead. When I joined Embrace Grace, that began to change.

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Hayley

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Because of Embrace Grace, I entered motherhood with more confidence and excitement than I ever thought possible.

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Aniah

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace brought me closer to God and gave me the community I had been praying for.

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Gladys

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

As I continued attending Embrace Grace, I met other women walking through similar situations, and knowing I wasn't alone became such an encouragement. Week after week, the group became my support system.

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Shawna

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Instead of carrying everything by myself, I was surrounded by women who encouraged me, prayed with me, and reminded me that I wasn't alone.

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Isis

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

When I found out I was pregnant, I felt numb. I was so scared and angry at God.

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Mayana

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Most of all, Embrace Grace reminds me that moms matter too.

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Deanna

Embrace Grace Leader

A quiet reminder that God is present in the details, often in ways we don't recognize until afterward.

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Naomi

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I was never shown more love in my life than at the baby shower Embrace Grace held for me.

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Olivia

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I can’t wait for my son to grow up knowing the same love and support that I experienced.

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Georgina

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace came at the exact time I needed it.

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Alysa

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I had always believed in Him, but being in a community that encouraged me to stay rooted in my faith brought that relationship back to the forefront. I’m still learning how to balance everything, but I know I’m not doing it alone.

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Aaliyah

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Through Embrace Grace, I learned who God really is.

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Alyson

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace helped me see how much I needed God in this season, and it opened my eyes to a peace I didn’t know I was missing.

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Abreya

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I met women who had been through similar situations, and for the first time, I did not feel alone.‍

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Ciara

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace helped me heal, grow closer to God, and believe that I was never alone. I will always be grateful for the love and encouragement I found here.

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Alisabeth

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace helped me believe that my story is not over. It is just beginning.‍

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Jansen

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace brought me back to Him and showed me what grace really means.

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Gabrielle

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

My daughter saved my life. So did the women at First Coast Women’s Care, a Pregnancy Resource Center, where I was introduced to the Embrace Grace program.

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Madison

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Madison showed up to her first Embrace Grace group session but was unable to walk into the classroom due to overwhelming anxiety about her unplanned pregnancy. One of the leaders sat outside the group to pray and encourage her. This is her on the last day of Embrace Grace. She is ready to step into motherhood with God leading the way.

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Mary

Embrace Grace Leader

He has used my story to open the door to hope and healing for several of our girls and leaders.

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Makenzie

Embrace Grace Leader

It's truly beautiful to see these moms, who initially came in worried, confused, or scared, grow into capable, strong women, accepting and loving the baby God has put in their lives.

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Jayden

Single Mom

One thing Embrace Life has helped me see is that God always provides. Putting my trust in Him has opened so many doors of opportunity for me.

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Alina

Single Mom

It's such a supportive environment. We've created true friendship with each other.

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Bailey

Single Mom

My baby was unplanned by me but planned by God. He knew my child would save my life and restore my family.

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Brooke

Single Mom

Embrace Life truly helped me grow in my faith and stay connected and grounded in God.

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Suzanna

Embrace Grace Leader

God is doing miracles through Embrace Grace. Seeing God work in me and through my life every semester reminds me of how much I've overcome. This experience has been so rewarding, and I'm grateful for making me more than just a teen pregnancy statistic–He is using me!

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Linda

Embrace Grace Leader

I've had so many beautiful moments serving our brave moms. When I allow God to work through me, the Holy Spirit lets me see each mom through His lens, and it's really changing me.

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Lindsay

Embrace Life Leader

When I became an Embrace Grace leader, I knew nothing about how to lead a group. But once I started, I never wanted to stop. I'm leading my third group now, and even though life is busy, I really cherish Tuesday nights with my brave girls!

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Robin

Embrace Grace Leader

I'm currently leading my seventh Embrace Group, and God reveals something new to me every semester! It doesn't matter how many times I go through the curriculum; there's always a revelation God gives me that pertains to my life season.

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Joy

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I'm so thankful to Embrace Grace for loving young single moms and caring for them the way God does.

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Deshante

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Everyone I've met has been such a blessing in my life. Embrace Grace was everything I needed and more!

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Desiree

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

Embrace Grace showed up for me and my children. I cannot imagine where I would be if I didn't have this amazing support network.

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Shanese

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

When God said, "I'll take care of you," He already had Embrace Grace in mind. He worked out everything for my good.

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Destany

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

I want my daughter to grow up in a household where you can always feel God's love. I plan to join the church and attend as often as possible, even after the semester ends.

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Maddie

Mom with Unexpected Pregnancy

What I love most about Embrace Grace is that they didn't just care about my baby; they cared about me.

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For Pregnant Single Moms

For Young Single Moms

For Young Single Dads

For Pregnant Single Moms

For Young Single Moms

For Young Single Dads

Amy Ford: Why I Started Embrace Grace (and My Unplanned Pregnancy Story)

We are in this with you!

Read more Embrace Grace
stories

For Pregnant Single Moms

For Young Single Moms

For Young Single Dads

For Pregnant Single Moms

For Young Single Moms

For Young Single Dads

Amy Ford: Why I Started Embrace Grace (and My Unplanned Pregnancy Story)

We are in this with you!

Read more Embrace Gracestories

Read more Embrace Grace
stories