NEW ORLEANS, La., Nov. 5, 2018—The ERLC is working with NFL Player Ben Watson to place its third ultrasound machine this year, through the Psalm 139 Project, at the Andrew P. Sanchez Center location of Baptist Community Health Services in the 9th Ward of New Orleans.
The Psalm 139 Project is a ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention focused on aiding pregnancy resource centers in securing ultrasound machines and providing training.
Baptist Community Health Services is a non-profit community-based health care provider that serves the primary care needs of residents in underserved areas. BCHS was launched by the churches of the New Orleans Baptist Association and with the help of the North American Mission Board.
NFL player Ben Watson, of the New Orleans Saints, was a special donor for this machine.
“So many men and women struggle with making decisions for life but we know from experience the power and encouragement seeing inside the womb offers,” said Watson in an Instagram post Oct. 23.
Watson said the ultrasound machine “will allow expecting mothers and fathers in New Orleans to see the precious life God has given them reminding them of its dignity, beauty and value.”
“The Watsons’ gift of an ultrasound machine to our medical mission will allow our SBC missionary-doctors to show new mothers their babies while those babies are still growing in the womb,” said Shawn Powers, CEO of Baptist Community Health and New Orleans Baptist Association missionary. “Through those sacred encounters, our team at BCHS will have kingdom opportunities to connect thousands of woman to our local churches for their ongoing spiritual support and growth. The Watsons’ gift will save physical lives, but lives eternally as well."
Earlier this month, the ERLC announced a placement at a pregnancy resource center in downtown Dallas during their national conference in the city. That placement was made possible through the Evangelicals for Life partnership between Focus on the Family and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
In addition, the Psalm 139 Project placed an ultrasound machine at the Liberty Women’s Clinic in Liberty, Mo., in September, which will allow the Missouri clinic to increase their capacity for appointments by 37 percent in 2019.
Since 2004, the Psalm 139 Project has provided ultrasound equipment for pregnancy care centers in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Indiana, Colorado, Mississippi, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee.
One hundred percent of financial contributions donated to the Psalm 139 Project go toward purchasing sonogram machines and providing training for workers. Tax-deductible gifts may be made to ERLC, 901 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tenn., 37203. Learn more at psalm139project.com.
