The Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), has donated an ultrasound machine to a pregnancy resource center in Anchorage, in partnership with the Alaska Baptist Resource Network and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
The Sept. 24 ceremony at Community Pregnancy Center was attended by Bobby Reed, ERLC’s chief financial officer, Rick Lance, executive director for Alabama Baptists, and Randy Covington, outgoing executive director of the Alaska convention.
“The Scriptures tell us that every life is a sacred gift, and we’re honored to stand alongside the Community Pregnancy Center in this vital work,” Reed said. “We’re grateful to support CPC’s decades-long commitment to serving women and families in Anchorage with compassion and truth.”
Lance praised the partnership between the ERLC and both state conventions that made the ultrasound placement possible.
“Alabama Baptists – by conviction and without reservation – are among those who stand for the sanctity of all human life,” Lance said.
“We have done so in linking arms with the Psalm 139 Project to help provide ultrasound machines to pregnancy centers in our own state. Now, because of our state convention’s missions partnership with churches in the Alaska Baptist Resource Network, we have the privilege of placing a machine at the Community Pregnancy Center in Anchorage. To God be the glory as the Psalm 139 Project, Alabama Baptists and Alaska Baptists continue to advocate for the protection and care of those who are the most defenseless among us.”
Changing the conversation
Community Pregnancy Center was founded in 1984 by a group of concerned pastors and individuals who wanted to do something about the rise of abortion in Anchorage. Since its inception, CPC has occupied six different locations in Anchorage, offering patient support and services. In 2024, the CPC served more than 800 women and men.
Abortion has remained legal in Alaska since 1970, with no restrictions on gestational age or parental consent. In 1997, Alaska’s highest court recognized a right to “reproductive choice” under the Alaska Constitution.
In September 2024, an Alaskan Superior Court judge struck down a state law prohibiting anyone other than a licensed physician from performing abortions, thus enabling any advanced practice clinician such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to perform the procedure.
Alaska is one of only a handful of states with such little restriction on abortion.
Greg Monrad, executive director of Community Pregnancy Center, spoke to the important role that ultrasound machines can play while ministering in a state where abortion is so readily available.
“We are firm believers that the ultrasound image changes the conversation with the women and men we serve, especially those who are at risk for choosing abortion,” Monrad said. “The new ultrasound machine that we were blessed with from the Psalm 139 Project does not only produce amazingly clear and impactful images, our licensed medical professionals appreciate how easy it is to use. We are blessed by the support and knowing there are people from across the U.S. that stand with us in supporting life.”
Nearly 100 ultrasound machines given
This latest ultrasound placement marks nearly 100 donations made through the Psalm 139 Project, which began in 2001. The non-profit provides ultrasound equipment and necessary training to pregnancy resource centers. It does not receive Cooperative Program dollars but is fully funded through donations, 100 percent of which go toward ultrasound placements and subsequent trainings.
Reed said ultimately the placement of an ultrasound machine represents much more than the technology itself.
“The Psalm 139 Project exists to equip pregnancy centers with machines that offer a window into the womb so we can see the smallest of humans who bear the very image of God,” Reed said.
“An ultrasound machine is more than technology; it’s a tool that provides hope and dignity to the most vulnerable among us.”
More information about the Psalm 139 Project can be found here.
This article first appeared on Baptist Press.
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