Reverend Rhonda Arias is ordained with the International Gospel Assemblies, licensed as a pastoral counselor through Therapon Institute, and recognized as a “Life Missionary” with the Assemblies of God. Additionally, she has studied grief counseling with the RAPHA Institute in Houston, TX, obtained a B.F.A. in Humanities and Art from the California College of Art in Oakland, CA, and spent one year in the University of Houston’s MBA program studying statistics and accounting.  

In 1996, Rev. Arias shared her personal abortion experience on the local TBN “Praise the Lord” talk show as God’s healing had left her without shame. Many called to the prayer line and Rev. Arias prayed on air for those whose sin had separated them from God and for God to reveal His mercy and grace to those still suffering from past abortions. Rev. Arias realized then that God was using the restoration from abortion as an evangelistic tool. 

As Client Services Director of the Women’s Pregnancy Center in Houston, Rev. Arias developed programs and resources for the center’s clients. In 1997, she developed the evangelistic model for abortion recovery naming it “Oil of Joy for Mourning” from Isaiah 61:3 because it empowered the survivor and yet acknowledged loss.

 

Today, the Texas Abortion Recovery Training Seminars have become an equipping tool for those who want to reach out to heal the broken-hearted in ways that are relative to this culture. Arias has helped equip and establish abortion recovery ministries in pregnancy resource centers, churches, residential rehabilitation centers, through drug and alcohol recovery organizations and in women’s correctional facilities.