Washington. D.C., June 23, 2023 —The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention celebrates the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs v. Jackson’s Womens Health Organization decision and provides support for pro-life ministries through the gift of 27 ultrasound machines in the last year.
In addition to this practical ministry of the Psalm 139 Project, the organization remains focused on advocating for life-affirming policies on a state and national level to better serve mothers and children in a post-Roe era.
‘A New and Vibrant Culture of Life’’
Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC, commented on this historic moment:
“One year ago, we witnessed a true turning point for the pro-life movement. More lives were in danger, more mothers were at risk, and more families were targeted. But with the Dobbs decision, that changed. So many pro-life individuals, ministries, and organizations have grown and expanded to serve women and families in need of support. A new and vibrant culture of life is being established in our nation after decades of death caused by Roe v. Wade. That is worth celebrating.
“However, important work remains as abortion providers and the drug manufacturing industry prey upon vulnerable mothers and families in abortion destinations. We believe that every life, from the moment of conception to natural death, is sacred and worthy of our protection––and our strongest advocacy. Far too many lives remain vulnerable and the pro-life movement must continue to rise and meet that challenge.”
Resourcing the Church for this Moment
The Dobbs victory was long awaited and advocated for by the ERLC, significantly through an amicus brief in the case. In addition to the policy and judicial engagement, the ERLC serves churches by providing resources to equip them to minister in a post-Roe environment. Recent resources include:
- What is pro-life ministry like one year after Dobbs? – an interview with two pregnancy resource center directors, one in Illinois and one in Tennessee, highlighting the dramatic differences in the states’ abortion policies and culture
- One year post-Roe – a policy review of what happened at the federal level after June 24, 2022
- The positive impact of the Dobbs ruling on abortion rates – a look at the abortion numbers across the country in the last year, understanding that each number accounts for a precious and invaluable life
- What you should know about the Supreme Court decision on abortion? – this resource page has been active since March 2022 and includes a number of resources on the case and pro-life policy
What is the Psalm 139 Project?
Over the last 12 months, the ERLC has placed or committed to place 27 ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers across the country through the life-saving work of the Psalm 139 Project.
Machines have been placed in: California, New York, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Illinois.
The Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the ERLC, is focused on aiding pregnancy resource centers in securing ultrasound machines. One hundred percent of financial contributions designated to the Psalm 139 Project go toward purchasing ultrasound machines and providing training for workers.
The Southern Baptist Convention is America’s largest Protestant denomination with more than 13.6 million members and a network of over 47,000 cooperating churches and congregations. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is the SBC’s ethics, religious liberty and public policy agency with offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Washington, D.C.
