Those in attendance at the dedication of an ultrasound machine at First Choice Women's Medical Center in Wetumpka, Ala., included (left to right) Bethany Garth, executive director of First Choice; Mike Jackson, associate executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions; Joe Godfrey, ERLC trustee and former executive director for the Alabama Citizens Action Program; Rachel Wiles, director of the Psalm 139 Project; and Tisha Powell, director of First Choice’s Elmore County (Ala.) location.
NASHVILLE (BP) — The Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), placed three ultrasound machines in two different states during the month of January. One of those placements has already saved two unborn lives.
Two of the ultrasound machines were placed in Tennessee, while another was placed in Alabama. The ERLC partnered with both the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions for the placements.
“The Psalm 139 Project considers it an honor to facilitate placements between our Baptist state conventions and local pregnancy centers,” said Rachel Wiles, director of the Psalm 139 Project.
“This type of Baptist cooperation literally saves lives and is critical for meeting the needs of vulnerable women at a time of real crisis.”
Psalm 139, which began in 2001, provides ultrasound equipment and necessary training to pregnancy resource centers. The project is fully funded through generous donations, 100% of which go to funding these ultrasound placements and subsequent training. The project does not utilize Cooperative Program dollars.
Since its inception, the Psalm 139 Project has funded about two or three machine placements annually until recent years when placement numbers have risen considerably.
In 2023 saw 12 ultrasound placements, while six placements were made in 2024. Included in those placements is one made internationally through a partnership with the International Mission Board.
The three placements made in January were each accompanied by a dedication ceremony attended by ERLC personnel.
The first of these recent placements was at First Choice Women’s Medical Center in Wetumpka, Ala., which held a dedication ceremony Jan. 9.
Wiles attended the ceremony, along with Joe Godfrey, an ERLC trustee and former executive director for the Alabama Citizens Action Program, and Mike Jackson, associate executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
“As Alabama Baptists, we are honored to partner with ERLC’s Psalm 139 Project in the placement of much needed ultrasound equipment,” Jackson said. “This technology will allow a mother to see, in the early stages of development, the precious gift of life that God has allowed her to carry from conception to birth. It is our prayer that this partnership will result in saving many unborn lives and minister to vulnerable women.”
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said the placement will help Christians make a difference in others’ lives.
“One of the most important ways we can make a Christlike difference is helping those not yet born to experience the precious gift of life,” Lance said. “Psalm 139 is a ministry project which is making an eternal difference in the lives of mothers and unborn children.”
The second ultrasound machine was donated to Beating Hearts Help Center in McKenzie, Tenn. The Jan. 15 dedication was attended by Wiles and Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the TBMB. Kathy Ham is director of Beating Hearts Help Center.
“Beating Hearts Help Center opened its doors almost nine years ago,” Ham said. “The vision was and is to live in a community where every life, born and unborn, is loved and cherished no matter what. The Psalm 139 Project made it possible for us to secure a new machine so that life can continue to speak for itself. God created each one of our babies and we are so thrilled and excited to let their voices be heard.”
The final ultrasound placement was made at Community Pregnancy Center in Hartsville, Tenn., and a dedication ceremony was held on Jan. 17. Wiles and Moore again attended the ceremony.
Peg Shonebarger, director of Community Pregnancy Center, said the ultrasound has made an immediate impact.
“Since receiving this machine, we have had two abortion-minded women come to our facility who, after seeing the image of their baby on the screen, changed their minds and chose life,” Shonebarger said. “We are so grateful for ERLC and the Psalm 139 Project.”
These three placements bring the total number of ultrasound machines the Psalm 139 Project has donated to 94.
More information about the Psalm 139 Project can be found here.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Timothy Cockes is a writer in Nashville.)
