Giving birth is a pivotal life experience that should facilitate an encounter with God in a deep, unique, empowering, and joyful way. Instead, all too often, a negative Christian theology toward childbirth contributes to making the experience stressful or even traumatic, and the Church does not offer help or healing. This workshop will review the prevailing Christian view and its effects on women, propose a healthy "theology of birth," and discuss some practical ways for Christians to apply it.
	CORALEE MURRAY has been an International Representative with Campus Crusade for Christ and has worked as a labor and delivery room nurse. She and her husband, Ed, are presently developing leadership in the country of Moldova as well as being involved in the Institute for Biblical and Theological Studies. She has lived with her husband and five children in Europe for the past 30 years, ministering in many different countries in a variety of ways. One of her favorite things is helping young couples understand God's design in the birthing process.
	KATHY NESPER is a certified childbirth educator and is co-founder and president of Apple Tree Family Ministries. ATFM speaks particularly to the Christian church about childbearing and related issues through a spiritually-based childbirth course, certification of Christian childbirth educators, publications and personal support. Kathy has three sons and two daughters-in-law and her passion is helping couples encounter God through birth and the surrounding life experiences.