When Emily Berning graduated from college, she felt lost. Armed with a newly-minted degree and a desire to serve her community, she was unsure about what to do next. She had always felt a “magnetic pull” to the pro-life movement but didn’t have a clear concept of what that involved.
Berning told Live Action News, “I knew in my heart God was going to do something great in my life but had no idea what. I wondered where I was headed, whether I’d get married, raise a family, or climb the corporate ladder somewhere.”
Meeting her now-husband, Nathan, was the beginning of an extraordinary journey the couple would eventually take together. For Berning, Nathan was the “wind beneath her wings,” her greatest ally as she explored avenues in which to become engaged.
“With Nathan’s encouragement, I started fleshing out ideas and thought legislative work or grassroots activism was the ticket,” Berning said. “I just knew I wanted to help women in crisis in some way.”
She had worked part-time previously at the local Right to Life attaining experience in managing campaigns and fundraising.
Grassroots activism leads to disappointment
In May 2018, she organized a group to travel to Ireland during a time when the country’s stance on abortion was shifting. Now, as the long-standing abortion ban was lifted, Ireland was no longer a haven for babies in the womb. Berning wanted to support those who were raising their voices in concern.
Berning said, “I loved being an activist in college, so I felt I was in the right environment. I really wanted to help promote a culture of life there, but it didn’t work out like I had hoped.”
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Disappointed, Berning left Ireland questioning whether their collective efforts had been effective. Uncertainty gnawed at her, and she began to question whether she truly was on the path God meant for her to take. Moving from grassroots to legislative activism also left Berning unfulfilled.
“Nothing felt right,“ she explained. “I’ll admit, I was kind of mad at God during this time. I had such a fire for the pro-life cause and believed God wanted to use me for a mission but felt so discouraged that I became mired in doubt. It was a period of wandering around in the desert looking for a way out.”
While she struggled with direction, she understood she had a purpose. A year earlier, she had conceived of a name: “Let Them Live.” Berning felt strongly that whatever her commission was, it would center around Let Them Live.
Meaning in a name
Berning said, “I had started dating Nathan in the fall of 2017 when I came up with the name. We both felt it had meaning, we just didn’t know what at the time. But we clung to the belief it would someday have significance.”
As for now, the newly married couple was living in a well-maintained travel trailer on property owned by Nathan’s parents. They ate from the Taco Bell dollar menu and collected pennies to pay for gas.
“We both quit our jobs and were basically living on two things: our pro-life passion and our faith,” Berning said. “We were in this together and learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Still, we were confused about how to distinguish ourselves in the movement.” The answer would soon come.
One night while Berning slept, her husband was surfing through Facebook when he saw a post from a pregnant woman, homeless and alone who had decided to abort her baby.
Berning said, “My husband shook me awake and said we needed to help this woman. We didn’t know her, but her circumstances were dire, and Nathan felt we should give her every dollar we had to save her baby.”
The couple’s entire bank account amounted to just $1,200, but with it, they paid the woman’s rent and helped her get established. The couple’s generosity gave the woman the boost to choose life for her baby.
A vision comes to fruition
For the Bernings, it was quite a profound turning point. God was paving the way to a unique opportunity.
“It was as if a light bulb went off in my head,” Berning said. “Here was an untapped area in the pro-life movement with so much potential. There had to be other women in similar circumstances.”
While watching the movie, “Schindler’s List,” she was again struck by how saving one life could have a ripple effect.
Berning said, “Everything just clicked at that moment, and I had a clear vision for Let Them Live. Our organization would provide financial and emotional support to pregnant women in need so they, too, would be compelled to choose life for their babies.”
To get started, the Bernings began fundraising through social media and by tapping into family and friends. As a young and lean organization, the couple wore many hats interchangeably.
“As our organization grew, I was amazed at what God could do with a nugget of an idea,” Berning said. “My faith has never been stronger. During those earlier times, we were essentially living on a prayer, trusting God to guide us. Everything has been orchestrated perfectly.”
As it took root, Let Them Live partnered with pregnancy support centers, sidewalk counselors, and other pro-life organizations to reach desperate mothers seeking support. The Bernings have structured their program in a distinctive way. Clients are “triaged” according to the urgency of their hardships. Each woman is matched with a pregnancy support counselor and a team dedicated to meeting her financial obligations.
Berning said, “When a woman comes to Let Them Live, they receive financial coaching, learn about budgeting, and are taught basic life skills, all organized to get them to a better place. We don’t turn anyone away, but we ensure our resources are going to women with the most need.”
Since its inception, Let Them Live has boasted an 89% success rate in helping women to choose life with confidence. Working in tandem with pregnancy support centers is the key, Berning said.
“It’s tough work,” Berning said. “But I’m grateful for Nathan’s support. He’s the biggest blessing in my life. We got his family and friends involved from the get-go. Our work is never-ending, especially now that the abortion pill has become increasingly popular.”
For those who have an affinity for promoting pro-life principles, Berning suggested signing up for volunteer opportunities with Let Them Live or other pro-life organizations.
Berning said, “Get excited about the pro-life movement and become part of the solution. There are so many ways to get active from fundraising to writing or even donating. Just one dollar can make a difference in the lives of women and their babies.”
