Contact: Rachel Patterson, 703-348-7819

LANSDOWNE, Virginia, July 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net, an organization that supports a network of 1,090 pregnancy centers in North America, commented today on the passing of its founder, Dr. Harold O.J. Brown on July 8, 2007.

"It is with sad but joyful hearts that we reflect on the passing of Dr. Harold O.J. Brown," said Care Net President Kurt Entsminger. "By founding Care Net in 1975, originally Christian Action Council, Dr. Brown was instrumental in touching the lives of millions of women facing crisis pregnancies with the compassion of Christ."

Melinda Delahoyde, Board Chair Emeritus for Care Net, and who was mentored by Dr. Brown at Trinity Divinity School, said "We are losing a great heart and a great mind. Dr. Brown had a unique ability to not only articulate the principles of western civilization but also to translate them into compassionate and caring action."

Considered one of the great theological and philosophical minds of our generation, Dr. Brown gave his life to impacting the culture with the hope and healing offered through Jesus Christ. After the Roe v. Wade decision, Dr. Brown was moved by the tragedy of abortion, both for the unborn child and the mother, and troubled by the apathy within the Protestant church. With the inspiration of philosopher Francis Schaeffer, and the guidance of Billy Graham and pro-life Catholic leaders, Dr. Brown founded the Christian Action Council in 1975. In 1980, one of the first pregnancy centers was opened in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1993, the organization changed its name to Care Net, with a new, laser-focused mission of mobilizing Christians to plant and support pregnancy resource centers. Today, Care Net supports 1,090 pregnancy centers across North America, which helps over 100,000 pregnant women per year find alternatives to abortion.

In 2003, Care Net awarded Dr. Brown its first annual "Dr. Harold O.J. Brown Sanctity of Human Life Award", which recognizes the lifetime achievements of individuals committed to the pro-life cause.

"Dr. Brown sounded the trumpet call to evangelicals to not sit idly by when the needs of our culture are so devastatingly evident," said Entsminger. "Hundreds of thousands have responded to his call and have opened pregnancy centers in local communities. His solitary life has had a ripple effect that will last for generations – hundreds of thousands of children have been spared abortion over the last 30 years because of the compassionate work of pregnancy centers."

To read a past interview with Dr. Brown about the founding of Care Net, go to www.care-net.org.