On a journalistic fact-finding mission the other day, I found one of the keys to our future success as pregnancy help ministries . . . from a most unexpected source.

My mission was simple; to take Planned Parenthoods Annual Report (recently released) and highlight some of its more salient points. Its an easy task. The abortion giant uses so many euphemisms and is often full of contradictory information.It wouldbe comical if werentso sad.

But, as I was scrolling through the pages, toward the end of the report are names of Planned Parenthoods board members, including the new additions. One name popped out: Shonda Rhimes.

If you dont immediately know her name, you know of her work. Rhimes is creator, head writer and producer of Greys Anatomy. And Private Practice. And Scandal. Shes also executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder, Off the Map and The Catch.

Shes only 47 and yet, 10 years ago she was named one of TIME magazines 100 People Who Help Shape the World. And she does.

On several occasions, Rhimes shows introduce abortion. Its not worth going into every episode, but when Ms. Rhimes shows abortion on TV, its in a positive light. Millions watch as Rhimes characters frame the abortion debate for us.

Its not surprising then, that Planned Parenthood wanted Shonda Rhimes on its board. She has money (about $120 million according to some estimates), fame and a perfect medium to display Planned Parenthoods message. Lets be honest; Rhimes is a smart choice.

The media of course, loves Rhimes because she is one of them. If one googles Shonda Rhimes Planned Parenthood, the first related article comes from NBC News. And it is glowing.

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The article references the fight for womens reproductive rights, (no bias there, right?), posts Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards tweet on the news, and tells us Rhimes does not want to downplay the fact that Planned Parenthood is one of the few health care providers that is geared towards women and allows women to have a safe space for all types of health care, not only abortions.

Folks, this is supposedly a news article (okay, the network is NBC, but still).

The article says nothing about the many Center for Medical Progress videos uncovering Planned Parenthoods true agenda and instead focuses on fear over its possible defunding. And of course, Rhimes is portrayed not as controversial but as a key leader in a crucial time in the fight for womens reproductive rights.

Another tremendous example of objective journalism.

But heres the point: Like her or not, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards made an astute decision to bring Rhimes on board. For Richards, cultivating a relationship with Rhimes probably took time and effort.

In fact, Rhimes is no stranger to Planned Parenthood. Shes been involved on multiple levels with the organization, and this was the next logical step.

Rhimes took that step, and we can learn a lesson.

Just like Richards relationship with Rhimes was built over time, so must ours be with our future board members. Instinct tells me Cecile Richards has a list of possible future board members in a file. No doubt, she is getting to know these people and spending time to cultivate these relationships so that when she asks, the answer will be Yes.

Lets be fair. Richards landed a big fish in Shonda Rhimes.

On our boards of directors, we dont need the Hollywood elite, but we do need those proven to be leaders in the Christian community. We dont need those the media fawns over, but we do need those who bring wisdom and insight to our ministries.

We dont find strong board members overnight; by placing an article in our newsletter or by announcing we need board members at our fundraising dinners. We find them by searching diligently and by building strong relationshipsover time.

Show me a strong board of directors and Ill show you a group of people invited through prayer, research and strong relationships.

I doubt whether Cecile Richards spent a lot of time praying over her decision to invite Shonda Rhimes onto Planned Parenthoods board. But Im willing to bet she spent a lot of time on research and relationship-building.

Its something from which we can learn, and grow. The truth is, we can do better than Ms. Richards because we have a tremendous group of leaders to choose from. Lets take the time to do just that.

LifeNews Note: Kirk Walden is a senior writer with Pregnancy Help News, where this originally appeared, and an Advancement Specialist with Heartbeat International and author of The Wall.

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Grey's Anatomy Producer Shonda Rhimes is a Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz Board Member - LifeNews.com