Our Journey
to Saving Lives
SperaVita, meaning Hope for Life, was founded to offer hope to women facing unplanned pregnancies. In 2006, after 40 days of fasting and prayer, our founders developed the SperaVita Method, a transformative process that gave pregnancy centers the tools to save more lives from abortion.
This method equips centers to provide life-affirming care and support in critical moments. Today, we continue that mission, helping centers nationwide reach those at risk and offer them life-saving solutions
Meet the People Behind the Mission
Jennifer Roush
Executive Director
Jennifer Roush has worked in the pro-life world since 2012. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has a background as a registered nurse. Prior to leading the SperaVita Institute as Executive Director, Jennifer served as the Director of Medical Services for a network of pregnancy centers in the midwest. With her past frontline experience, Jennifer is passionate about serving women most at risk for abortion and helping them make a life choice.
Her disarming belief that there is “no pit so deep, that God is not deeper still” empowers people to see beyond their present circumstances and create a strategy for the future. She has spoken at many different events and ministries, including Focus on the Family, Heartbeat International and CareNet. Jennifer currently serves as the Executive Director of the SperaVita Institute. Jennifer and her husband, Troy, have four beautiful daughters.
Lissel Lizarraga
Training Coordinator
Lissel Lizarraga has been in the pregnancy center world since 2018 and is passionate about rescuing women and children from abortion. She previously served as the Director of Patient Resources at a center in Kansas City and completed SperaVita training in 2022. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Lissel helps pregnancy centers adopt effective, results-driven processes. She is a wife, mother of four, and approaches her work with faith, saying, “I offer my work to God every day. He always has a better plan than me.”
Kristina Edelman
Executive Administrator
Kristina Edelman has always had a heart for the unborn. Her story starts with her mother being pressured into abortion but ultimately deciding to choose life. In knowing this she has always wanted to help care for others. She worked in healthcare for 5 years until God placed it on her heart to join Spera Vita.
Rachel Forman
Medical Trainer
She has served in nursing for over 17 years, with leadership roles including Director of Nursing, Lead Case Manager, Critical Care Educator, and Pregnancy Center Nurse Manager. She is currently completing the writing of her personal testimony and finishing her graduate degree in Advanced Medicine. Throughout her career, she has witnessed firsthand how God uses medical professionals to bring healing to the hurting and hope to the broken. Raised as a Christian, she has always held pro-life convictions, but over time she has come to see how God would uniquely weave together her faith and her profession into a deeply rooted calling. She is both a mother to many and a natural educator, gifted in guiding and equipping others. She feels called to use these gifts to serve, educate, love, and advocate for women, children, and families. With a strong commitment to stewardship of time and talents, she strives to teach truth and reflect Christ in her daily work. She is passionate about coming alongside pregnancy centers to help train and equip teams to serve women with Christ-like excellence.
The National
Advocacy Council
The National Advocacy Council of SperaVita is designed to expand awareness of the organization's mission through partnerships with pro-life networks. These ambassadors bring energy and strategic direction as SperaVita continues to grow. If you or someone you know would like to join the council and help further our life-saving work, please contact us today for more information.
