"Children who are adopted through Covenant Care Services have many promises: a different heritage; mature, loving and nurturing parents; stability and security; and the promise that they will be raised in a home that raises them in the love and admonition of the Lord," said Iris Archer, Executive Director for Covenant Care Services.

The keynote speaker for the evening will be actress and author Jennifer O'Neill, whose glamorous professional life did not mirror her troubled private life. It wasn't until after coming to the saving grace of Jesus Christ at age 38 did O'Neill begin to heal from personal pains and disappointments. In 1997, O'Neill wrote her autobiography, Surviving Myself, taking on the tough issues in her life. In her next book, From Fallen to Forgiven, O'Neill shares her journey of healing through God's grace. As a result of her efforts on behalf of pro-life issues, Jennifer wrote the Life After Abortion workbook, a recovery tool for women who regret their abortions. As the celebrity spokesperson for the National Silent No More Awareness Campaign, O'Neill makes regular pro-life, pro-family appearances on national radio and television shows such as "The O'Reilly Factor", "Hannity and Colmes" and "The View".

O'Neill has spent the last seven years traveling the country delivering God's message of unconditional love, forgiveness, healing and restoration. She encourages abstinence, healing and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Her testimony is laced with humor, compassion, humility and hard-won wisdom.

Covenant Care Services was founded in 1989 by a group of lay people in Macon with the goal of providing women in crisis pregnancy situations the option of placing their children into two-parent Christian homes. Iris Archer was chosen to be the director of Covenant Care Services, which has always been a nondenominational ministry and licensed as a child-placing agency by the State of Georgia.

Individuals, churches, and businesses that support the ministry on a monthly or yearly basis primarily fund Covenant Care. Only 30 percent of the funding comes from the adoption fees, still one of the lowest in the state. Their goal is to raise $160, 000 at this year's banquet, the year's primary fundraising event.

"Our steadfast prayer since the beginning has been that the Lord would equip the staff with strength and wisdom and send the resources necessary for us to continue. This is definitely a faith ministry and one that exists to give glory to God in all that we do so in every area we are totally dependent on Him. This year's theme, "The Promises of Adoption" will be highlighted throughout the evening," Archer said.

Serving between 300 and 350 clients annually, Covenant Care Services has already helped over 250 clients this year.

"We usually place an average of 25 babies per year, but so far this year we have already placed 24. We are on track to have more than 30 adoptions this year," Archer said.

"We have expanded our services to include more post services for birth parents, and we hold quarterly meetings and an annual retreat for our birth mothers, through the Our Shoes Program," Archer said.

Covenant Care Services welcomes volunteer services. Good foster families, transportation and office volunteers are always needed. To volunteer, call 478-475-4990 or the toll-free number, 1-800-226-5683.

Admission is free. To reserve seats for the banquet, call 478-475- 4990 or 800-226-5683 by November 3 for preferential seating.

For more information on the ministry of Covenant Care Services, visit www.covenantcareadoptions.com