Meet Madison
I’m Madison Janke, an Anderson native, and I am 1 of 7 children! Coming from a large family, I’m used to lots of noise and a little chaos. I was blessed with the opportunity to be homeschooled, so my family volunteered in the community growing up, which instilled in me a love and passion for serving others.
I don’t remember my first day volunteering, but I do remember my volunteer interview with Kaitlyn and feeling so comfortable and at home here. It was so easy to jump into serving here, and I grew to adore the women I’d volunteer with. It truly feels like a second family!
Working here has been the most amazing experience. As I’ve begun to see all the behind the scenes work that keeps this place running, I have a greater appreciation for our staff and volunteers. It sounds a bit cliché, but I genuinely couldn’t do my job without the help of our volunteers! We have the most selfless, joy-filled volunteers, and they help make coming to work each day more enjoyable! I get to work with just about every age range, as well. From seeing clients’ babies to overseeing our high school and college Life Influencer group, to our more seasoned volunteers, I love interacting with a diverse group of people on a daily basis!
A specific client interaction that I’ll never forget was my first encounter with an abortion-determined young woman. She wasn’t my client, but I remember knowing she was coming in and covering her in prayer before and during her visit, asking that the Lord would change her mind and soften her heart. I was pleasantly surprised when she came back for an ultrasound a couple of weeks later. She told us that she was on her way to get an abortion but decided to come here instead. It was so encouraging for me and a great way to see God work in the life of a young mother. I’ll never forget it!
As I stepped into volunteering at APC, it was a great opportunity for me to grow in my confidence and ability to make decisions. I got better at relying on others and asking for help and clarity when needed. The shift I started out on volunteering placed me with volunteers who were older and wiser than me, but I loved getting to know them and grew close to them very quickly. As time went on, we’d get to know more about each other’s families, so inquiring about children/grandchildren/holiday plans became second nature! Serving with volunteers of different ages has brought me out of my comfort zone, but has also brought me so much joy!
I’ve seen the Lord work in many ways while volunteering and working at APC. One of my favorite things is getting to sit in on ultrasounds. I’ve been in the room when a mom who previously miscarried sees her baby’s heartbeat for the first time; I’ve seen the initial shock and subsequent joy that comes from learning that they’re having twins, and I’ve sadly witnessed our nurses telling mothers that they can’t locate a heartbeat. I’ve felt the Lord’s presence through all that; in the joy and excitement, and also in the pain and heartache.
Once I transitioned from a volunteer to staff member, I was warned about how quickly I could experience spiritual warfare. I never doubted it, but wasn’t thinking I’d be facing such opposition within the first couple of months working here. Through that, though, the Lord has shown me how sweet the community here at APC is and how there are so many people who love me and are praying for me.
To someone considering volunteering, I’d say, DO IT! Sacrificing your time and resources for a couple hours of your week may be one of the most rewarding, joy-giving things you do. I’ve never regretted giving up my time to love on the clients here and have always walked away with a smile on my face.
