Our History

A HISTORY OF THE CRISIS PREGNANCY MOVEMENT

A Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion in the court case of Roe v Wade in 1973, began the slow unraveling destruction of foundational pillars in American culture; faith, family and traditional values. That single court decision resulted in an outcry from within the Christian community, motivating faith-based groups and individuals across the nation to enter in to what has become one of the greatest “wars” of all time, the destruction of the pre-born human life. The nation began to experience a cultural polarization. “Pro-life,” to one, represented a conservatively bigoted, unsympathetic zealot, closed-minded to a woman’s personal need and choice, and “pro-choice” to the other reflected an anti-Christian, demonizing, self-centered, “it’s my body,” pro-death liberalism. In response to the war on the unborn, a grassroots movement of small Christ-centered crisis pregnancy centers, motivated by prayer and a deep desire to defend the defenseless, modestly spoke hope, truth and alternatives into the nation’s cities while abortion reached it’s height in the early 1990’s.

The “crisis pregnancy” movement of the 1980’s filled the nation with small, meager-budgeted, under-staffed, mostly volunteer-run centers, offering free-pregnancy tests, maternity clothing and shelter for young women. These crisis pregnancy centers became the MASH units for the teen/young adult facing the unwanted or unplanned pregnancy rescuing the wounded caught in a growing trend of casual sexual relationships now resulting in the psychologically and physically affected post-abortive woman. Post-abortion support groups, sharing the gospel and battered women’s shelters entered on the scene. But meeting the immediate needs of a person in a crisis created both a tension and a motivation to do more.

During the 1990’s two critical trends emerged strategically professionalizing the crisis pregnancy center movement: scientific research and abstinence education. Scientific advancements in ultra-sound technology dispelled the myth surrounding fetal development from the “blob of tissue” at six weeks to the reality of the advanced state of development within 21 days of conception. The emergence of crisis pregnancy centers becoming medical facilities offering limited ultra-sound confirmation of pregnancy, health-screening and for some, STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing revolutionized the approach in crisis pregnancy intervention. The advancements in scientific research were not limited to fetal development. The sexual revolution of the 60’s ushered in a rising health dilemma, sexually transmitted diseases. By the 1990’s, research revealed the increase in common STD’s from two curable diseases to over 30 common including five incurable. The “crisis” for the crisis pregnancy center’s focus broadened to include public prevention education curriculums focusing on delaying early sexual debut by remaining abstinent-until-marriage. Federal funding opportunities for faith-based initiatives and abstinence education raised the professional bar further legitimizing the Christian, non-profit’s cultural impact.

THE LIFE CENTER AND THE CPC MOVEMENT

The humble beginnings of the Midland crisis pregnancy center were much the same as others across the nation. In the mid-seventies, a Catholic woman impassioned by the lack of information for the women facing an unplanned pregnancy and a voice of defense for the unborn created a hot-line for abortion alternative information and referrals. Her passion to reach the young abortion-minded client and rescue both mother and child became the catalyst that mobilized the Midland faith-community. What began as a step of faith developed into a 501©3 faith-based, interdenominational, non-profit organization by 1979. Like most centers of the 1980’s, Midland’s operated as a crisis pregnancy intervention faith-based organization with referral and clothing resources for the unwed mother while utilizing a volunteer staff and meager financial resources. The year 1996 marked a major shift in management, leadership and vision broadening the scope of effective community impact. It was through prayer, strategic planning and the common passion fueling the crisis pregnancy center movement that pioneered The Life Center’s expansion of program services and growth that is unparalleled in the West Texas region today.

In the past decade, The Life Center has impacted over 100,000 people regionally with fact and character-based educational programs and compassionate caring confidential pregnancy counseling. The Life Center currently employees over fourteen staff, operating five departments under the oversight of an Executive Director and Board. The scope of program services fall within three main departments: Prevention Education, Intervention and Restoration with a business department consisting of Finance and Development.

• The Prevention Education Department’s education programs consist of four program venues. TASk: Teens Are Saying kNOw, 7th -12th grade fact and character-based abstinence education; SHINE: 6th grade abstinence and character-based program, Youth 4 Truth peer to peer program, a United Way partially sponsored youth generated assembly program and Parent Talk, a factual reality check for parents raising teens.

• The Intervention Department offers women and men free confidential pregnancy consultation, ultra-sound services, pregnancy testing, STD consultation and free referrals for testing as well as factual education supporting life affirming decisions. The department offers limited supplies for the pregnant client and child through the “Pantry Program.”

• The Restoration Department offers a variety of life-skill focused educational classes, support and optional spiritual mentoring classes. The goal for restoration is to offer healing in the areas of brokenness and equipping for successful futures. A Baby Boutique is available to class participants.

An assumption often made regarding faith-based initiatives is that excellence can be sacrificed. An assumption of a faith-based, pro-life organization to overcome is that “pro-life” equals unreasonable, defensive, religious, un-professionalism. The question posed for this faith-based organization has been; “How does a faith-based, non-profit organization become a community and regional resource operating with standards of excellence dedicated to serve people with humility and compassion as demonstrated in the Holy Scriptures?” The answer? Sacrifice, faith and focused perseverence.

To volunteer in any of these capacities at The Life Center contact Janie Garibay, Volunteer Services Coordinator at janie@pbwrc.org or call 683-6072.