02/17/2026
We are excited to share our first Celebration Story in honor of Clarity’s 25 Years.
Steve Hill, retired pastor and long-time Clarity supporter, tells of Clarity’s backstory, of the very beginning days when Clarity was scarcely more than an idea.
“I remember sitting in my office one Sunday morning before church," said Steve. It was 2000, and he was the pastor of Valley Creek Baptist Church and the moderator of the Severns Valley Baptist Church Association (known today as the Lincoln Association of Baptists). As he prepared for the morning service, a young woman from their congregation, Mindy Helm, came into the office. She said God had put a burden on her heart to help other young women in the community who faced an unexpected pregnancy and were considering abortion. Only in her early 20’s herself, she knew how common abortion was becoming with women her age and wanted to do something to help save children and support women.
Steve said he and his wife Joan shared Mindy’s vision, and they soon organized their first meeting. Four people came: Mindy, Steve, Joan, and Gilbert Larue, another member of their church. From this first meeting, the group reached out to local churches, hoping to talk to congregations to raise awareness and support. Their first breaks came when Mindy and Steve presented their idea at the Executive Board Meeting of the Severns Valley Baptist Church Association and when one church had their Women’s Sunday School teacher share the information with her class.
From there, they slowly gained momentum and volunteers, with people like Mindy’s parents and a few individuals from various churches working hard to carry the load. As Steve said, “It was a blessing, but a real struggle at the beginning...we didn’t have the manpower, resources, or location…” But, the small group worked faithfully, trusting that God would provide.
Fast forward 25 years: When Steve and his wife Joan attend Clarity events today, such as the recent Church Leaders Luncheons–where 100 local church leaders from 37 local churches gathered to support Life in this community–they see a very different picture than that of Clarity’s earliest days. Today, Clarity is thriving, with five buildings, 15 paid staff members, multiple ministry arms, and thousands of community supporters. As Steve says, “When I think of you all, I see how God made so much from small beginnings.” Steve’s story reminds us never to forget where we have come from and to remember the miracle from God that Clarity is today. Without Him, Steve says, none of this would be possible. And he knows; he was there at the beginning.
Do you have your own story, memory, or testimonial you think should be shared? Do so by clicking the link below or emailing our Communications Coordinator, Katrina Goddard, at katrina@clarityky.com to set up a time to talk!
https://senja.io/p/support-clarity/r/story
Stay tuned for our next Celebration Story in March!
