Florida pregnancy partners with ERLC for ultrasound machine
By Barbara Hoffman/Florida Baptist Convention
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (BP) – Driven by a mission “to build families by helping them discover and pursue God’s design,” Family Church has been instrumental in helping a local pregnancy center receive an ultrasound machine to help women choose life.
Family Church is one of seven Florida Baptist congregations that supports Care Net Pregnancy Services of the Treasure Coast, which recently added a third location in an underserved location of Port St. Lucie.
“Our church has been in community partnership with Care Net for many years,” Pastor Josh Rowell said. “We see Care Net as a key partner that passionately helps fulfill our mission in our region.”
Not only does the church support the organization financially, “we believe it is important to have a hands-on approach with our ministry partners, so we strive to connect our members and attenders to potential service opportunities throughout the year,” he said.
Recently, the church was able to connect Care Net with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s (ERLC) Psalm139 Project to provided a new ultrasound machine for the newest facility.
The Psalm 139 Project aids pregnancy resource centers by providing ultrasound machines and training for their use to help women and their families make the choice for life. The gift to the new Port St Lucie center is one of 10 ultrasound machines the ERLC plans to donate to pregnancy centers around the country this year.
Sue Chess, executive director of Care Net Pregnancy Services of the Treasure Coast, said the ultrasound machine, which costs between $25,000 and $30,000, “is probably the most crucial piece of equipment in the center. We couldn’t have done it without the ERLC.
“An ultrasound machine is life saving and life changing, a window into the womb. Last year 90 percent of the women who had an ultrasound in our centers chose life. When they see the image of the child, that life on the inside of their body, they can make an informed decision.”
Yeats to speak at Midwest March for Life
By The Pathway Staff
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) – One of the nation’s largest annual pro-life events will be held April 14 at the Missouri Capitol, and among its featured speakers will be Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director John Yeats.
The Midwest March for Life will begin with a prayer walk at 8 a.m. on the south lawn of the Capitol. The prayer walk will include assignments and prayer cards to ensure that prayers are offered on behalf of every lawmaker and staff member in the Capitol. A pre-rally will begin at 9:15, followed by the march at 10 a.m. and main rally at 11 a.m., at which Yeats will speak. Other speakers include: Jeanne Mancini, national director of March for Life; Bridget Van Means, president of Thrive St. Louis and Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition for Life in St. Louis.
At 2 p.m., the pro-life organization Support After Abortion will sponsor a play entitled “Viable.” The one-act play is a dramatic depiction of the real life struggle a couple faces after being impacted by abortion.
