Episode 08 - Fathers Matter: Why Pregnancy Centers Must Engage Dads

About the Guest: Andrew Wood is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and ministry leader with more than 15 years of experience equipping churches, pregnancy centers, and nonprofit leaders to lead with clarity and purpose. He is the founder and president of AHW Ministry Advisors and the author of Hero, Ghost, Villain. Andrew has spent years helping ministries rethink how they engage men and fathers in conversations about family, responsibility, and leadership. Andrew and his wife Erin are the parents of six children, and much of his passion for fatherhood and leadership flows directly from his own experiences as a husband and dad. Episode Summary: In this episode of the Lifeline for Leaders Podcast, Andrew Wood joins Kirk and Linda Thomas to talk about a critical but often overlooked topic: the role of fathers in pregnancy decisions and family leadership. Andrew shares how a simple moment in the lobby of a pregnancy center changed the way he viewed father engagement forever. What followed was a new approach—one that invited men into the conversation, equipped them with practical skills, and challenged them to step into the responsibility of fatherhood. Throughout the conversation, Andrew offers practical wisdom for leaders serving families in crisis situations, emphasizing that men often need mentorship, community, and honest conversations—not judgment. This episode is a powerful reminder that when fathers are present and engaged, families, communities, and the next generation are stronger. Key Topics Discussed: • Why engaging fathers is essential in pregnancy support ministry • The influence fathers have on pregnancy decisions • Practical ways pregnancy centers can connect with dads • Why men need community and mentorship • How to challenge men without treating them like projects • The importance of cross-generational discipleship • Handling difficult conversations with disengaged fathers • How leaders can plant seeds even when outcomes are uncertain • The cultural impact of fatherlessness • Modeling healthy fatherhood for the next generation Links & Resources Mentioned: • AHW Ministry Advisors • Andrew Wood’s writing: https://andrewhwood.substack.com Resources referenced in the conversation: • BrightCourse parenting curriculum • Andrew Wood’s book Hero, Ghost, Villain Listen to the Lifeline for Leaders Podcast on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/53dwStC... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 Subscribe to Lifeline for Leaders on YouTube 💼 Follow the Lifeline for Leaders LinkedIn Business Page Keywords: fatherhood leadership, engaging fathers in ministry, pregnancy center leadership, pro life leadership podcast, fatherhood mentorship, christian leadership podcast, fatherlessness epidemic, engaging dads pregnancy centers, nonprofit leadership podcast, faith based leadership, christian fatherhood, pregnancy help ministry, mentoring men, leadership for ministry leaders, pro life ministry leadership 🤝 Connect With Andrew Wood: Want to learn more about Andrew’s work helping churches, nonprofits, and pregnancy centers engage fathers and build stronger leadership cultures? Andrew Wood equips leaders with practical tools, training, and mentorship to strengthen families and develop men who lead with responsibility, faith, and purpose. If this conversation resonated with you, you can explore more of Andrew’s writing, resources, and leadership insights through the links below. Learn more and connect with Andrew: • Writing and leadership insights: https://andrewhwood.substack.com • Ministry and consulting: AHW Ministry Advisors – https://ahwministries.com Whether you're a ministry leader, pastor, or nonprofit director, Andrew’s work focuses on helping organizations engage men, develop leaders, and build stronger communities.