When I was little, I remember one time getting to go with my dad to Albemarle, grabbing Sonic for dinner (a real treat!) and then getting to play in a room with toys while he met with other adults over grown up things my little ears did not worry about. This memory always stuck out to me because not only did I get a slushy, but I got to be with my daddy all on my own while Mama and little brother were at home.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized what my dad’s meeting was about and why we got Sonic that night. My dad served on the board at the Pregnancy Resource center, which just happened to be in the vicinity of Sonic. I had no idea what his meeting was about or what the center even did, but I was content with Sonic, going somewhere with my dad, and getting to play with different toys.
We attended every Walk for Life fundraiser, and I thought it was the neatest thing. I had no concept of money or why we were there, yet it didn’t matter to me since I knew my whole family was together on a Saturday morning and a park was nearby. My parents would talk to us about what we were doing and who we were helping to raise money for, but nothing clicked until much later.
I read a poem one Wednesday night at church called “Diary of an Unborn Child.” It hit me so deeply. I probably was no older than eight or nine, if even that. I’ve always believed from the moment of conception that a human being began growing from day 1. The fundraisers I had been attending with my family and the reason for them all began to make sense.
Our local Pregnancy Resource Center sees many clients through their doors. Their mission is not only to fight for the unborn lives, but to educate mothers and fathers on all the options and what those truly look like. In addition to pregnancy tests and ultrasounds at no charge, they also offer counseling, respective parenting programs (Motherhood Journeys for moms and Fatherhood journeys for dads), abortion recovery care, and post-abortion health assessment. The PRC does not refer or perform abortions, but will advise on the risks and explain the different types of abortion based on trimester. By clicking on the link above you can see all that the center offers as well.
They don’t just say “congrats, you’re pregnant” and leave a client after the test shows positive. Through the programs offered, they support clients throughout the pregnancy. They assist their clients emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Above all, the PRC staff does their best to witness to each client and tell them about Jesus, our Savior.
Because of the work they do, how they care for every person who walks through their door, and what they believe, my family and I have been supporters of the Pregnancy Resource Center for as long as I can remember. When I was asked to join the board of directors in 2022, I accepted wholeheartedly and have been blessed to watch what God has done at the center since I became more involved. This year’s theme is “Victory in Jesus.” One thing that has stood out to me from this year is that no matter how bleak things may seem here on this earth, praise GOD we know how the story ends and Jesus wins. As believers, we may always have joy in our hearts because of Jesus!
When I first started on the board, I had never experienced being pregnant before. I was nervous to even provide input because what did I know? I truly believe God placed me on the board for the season to help prepare me even further for motherhood. When we welcomed our first born in 2024, I still remember how kind and welcoming all the board members were to us.
If you’ve ever been expecting a baby before, I’m sure you remember how people reacted when you told them you were pregnant. I remember the faces of my close family and friends when we were pregnant with our first boy, and I paid attention to all the reactions when we let them know about our second child coming this year. It makes me tear up thinking about when I told the board again this time around, and the sweet prayer they prayed over me at our meeting. The genuine excitement and intentional prayer meant so much to me. The PRC and all those involved truly care about people, and they of course love all babies.
In my son’s first year of life, he went to both fundraisers the PRC puts on every year: The Spring banquet and the Walk for Life (held in the fall). Technically, he also went to both when I was pregnant too! We started him young, and this next baby will also be attending his first banquet next week! I’m so grateful for what all the PRC does for our community, and the blessing they are to all who volunteer, serve, support, and work at the center, as well as the clients they serve.
The center is able to continue the work they do because of those who support them through financial giving year after year. They have three fundraisers every year: the Baby Bottle Boomerang (from Sanctity of Life Sunday in January to mid February), the Spring Banquet in May, and the Walk for Life in September. You may learn more about the center, what they do, and how to get involved by visiting https://prcstanly.org/donate/.
One of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life is when she is pregnant and postpartum. I can attest to vividly remembering how I was treated during both of those seasons with my first baby. While not all my experiences were positive with those I thought would care, the PRC was not one of those. The way they build relationships with the community, extend kindness, and steward well with what God has given, they are some of the most trustworthy people I know. They care about every individual, not just the unborn. Because of their love for Jesus, and their belief of His victory over death, they are able to love on others as Christ would.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” -1 Corinthians 15:57
Mirror, Mirror 