God has proven to meet our needs both spiritually and materially. He promised a savior who would be defeat Satan in the early parts of Genesis. Through His servant, Moses He led the Jews out of captivity from pharaoh. While Jesus’s primary purposes for coming to Earth was to save sinners, He certainly met people’s materials needs through performing miracles which included healings and providing food when He fed the 5,000.
One organization in the Baltimore Area that has done a tremendous job of modeling Christ’s love to the community is the Center for Pregnancy Concerns. They have four locations- Essex, Arbutus, St. Ann’s Center in East Baltimore, and 328 North Howard Street which is adjacent to a Planned Parenthood Clinic. Since 1980 they have reached disadvantaged women, those in crisis pregnancies, and those who are abortion minded. At no cost, they provide aid to women in an assortment of ways including material needs such as diapers, wipes, formula, blankets, and new clothing for the prospective mothers and their children (infant through preschool ages). These are supplied by their numerous donors.
In addition to reaching women in difficult pregnancies situations, counseling is provided to post abortive women, those preparing for motherhood, and those wishing to avoid pregnancy through abstinence training. Being a Christian organization, the message of God’s saving grace is regularly shared with the women who enter the centers. In addition, woman who are unsure about their situations, pregnancy tests are provided while many women take advantage of the sonograms offered to see the development of their child.
On staff, CPC is well equipped to serve women in the community. Executive Director, Gina Ruppert played a major role in overseeing the construction and development of the Howard Street location which opened last year. She was preceded by the late Carol Clews who served as Executive Director for nearly 17 years during which time she also played a role with the new center. For her service she received the 2020 Pro-Life award. Along with Mrs. Clews, Archbishop Lori received the Life Defender Award for his many years of spiritual support to the Center and the pro-life movement in many respects. There are others who fulfill administrative roles, plan fundraising events, develop the donor base, provide nursing care to the clients which includes giving sonograms, and last but not least the volunteers who sacrifice their time to serve in numerous capacities.
Currently, the new Howard Street location situated next to a Planned Parenthood is really gaining attention for CPC. The building was originally bought at an auction on January 19, 2017 for $94,500. Money to make the purchase was donated by two anonymous benefactors including a man who notified CPC about the building’s availability. One longtime supporter of the center, the late Richard Montalto, a former deacon of a Baltimore area Catholic Church initiated a letter writing campaign to churches throughout Maryland to raise funds for the new center. His efforts resulted in securing a $200,000 gift. Despite the costs to originally buy the property and make the renovations which were nearly $1 million, CPC has been enormously blessed through Mr. Montalto’s efforts, the donations by the anonymous donors, and most of all by the prayers of the supporters.
This center, like others will provide healthy options at a time when women feel lonely and desperate in the case of unplanned and in many cases unwanted pregnancies. As, in the past, CPC clients have chosen life and have experienced great joy for making their decision rather than experience regret for the rest of their life from choosing abortion.
In closing, the following passage spoken by Jesus come to mind when I think of CPC as they reach women:
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
In His Image 