N.C. Baptists gathered in western North Carolina earlier this week to celebrate the dedication of a new ultrasound machine at The Center for Women in Brevard.

This ultrasound placement was the result of cooperative efforts between N.C. Baptists and the Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. The dedication ceremony was held Tuesday, Aug. 8, at The Center for Women, with N.C. Baptist and ERLC leadership in attendance.

During the ceremony, Meghan LaRose, executive director of The Center for Women, shared that the ultrasound unit is already having a positive impact on the center’s clients. 

“We so appreciate you partnering with The Center for Women in providing services to the families of Transylvania County,” LaRose said. “We believe the Lord will use this machine to save many lives. Thank you all for your generous donation.”

The Center for Women was founded nearly 30 years ago in a home basement. Since then, the center has grown to serve approximately 450 clients annually, providing pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, baby supplies and educational classes for parents. After sharing a building with First Baptist Church of Brevard for nearly two decades, the center now operates in downtown Brevard to serve the surrounding community.

“We are very blessed to do what we do,” LaRose said. “When someone walks through our door, we can share the love of Jesus with them.”

This dedication in Brevard marks the fifth ultrasound placement in North Carolina over the past two years through N.C. Baptists’ partnership with the Psalm 139 Project. Most recently, N.C. Baptists celebrated placements in February 2023, when two clinics in Raleigh and Roxboro held dedication ceremonies on the same day. 

Unlike previous placements, Brevard’s ultrasound placement was made possible by an unnamed N.C. Baptist donor, who contributed funds to the state convention that were designated to the Psalm 139 Project. 

Seth Brown, director of convention relations for the state convention, said he is grateful for the donor’s generosity and is excited to see how N.C. Baptist donors will continue to support placements in the future.

“Since N.C. Baptists began our partnership with Psalm 139, my prayer has been that it would be catalytic and encourage others to fund placements,” Brown said. “I couldn’t be more encouraged by how God is using these partnerships to save pre-born lives and support families in crisis.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Samuel Heard serves as editor and content coordinator for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.)