Temple Baptist Church spreading hope through love boxes

Love is something that Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg plans to spread during its outreach ministry event for young women with unplanned pregnancies.

"Your life is not over and, it has just started," said Sarah Sims Bass, leader of Embrace Life Ministry. "God has amazing things for you and your child, all your dreams will come true."

The "love box" initiative is a gift that a single young woman receives when she has a positive pregnancy test.

"We raised the money prior so we could order all the boxes and our goal we set it at 240 with the church and social media. Honestly, people donated from different states," Bass said.

The boxes will be packed and shipped off by members of Temple Baptist Church to Hattiesburg Hope Clinic and other local groups.

Discipleship Pastor Brad Hodges said it is important to make women feel comfortable and provide support during a rough pregnancy.

"We want to make sure they are loved, that they are not alone, that God has a plan and a purpose for them and we can minister to them in different ways," said Hodges.

Nonprofit organization Embrace Grace had a hand in this event and provides emotional, practical and spiritual support for single young women. Their goal is to empower churches to be nonjudging places for girls to run to when they find out they are pregnant.

Each love box will include a book, a onesie, a notebook, pen and handwritten notes of love from members of the church.