Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County, OH

Each year in the United States, thousands of couples find themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation. Many of them are drawn to faith based organizations like the Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County, Ohio (PSC).

PSC provides compassion, education, and options consistent with a Biblical worldview. Since opening its doors in November of 1985, over 20,000 services have been provided free of charge. Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• pregnancy tests
• ultrasounds
• std screening, and subsequent antibiotic administration if needed
• factual information about pregnancy, abortion, and sexual lifestyle choices
• compassionate counseling from a Biblical worldview
• free maternity and infant care items for parents in need

As a non-profit organization, PSC is supported by the generosity of local churches and individuals from numerous Christian denominations. There are 17 staff members and over 100 trained volunteers. Volunteers provide expertise in counseling, office duties, mail processing, and donations.

Since moving to a new facility three years ago, PSC has added classroom education to its list of services. Two of the most popular classes are the Fertility Awareness and Natural Fertility Appreciation courses.

The Fertility Awareness class teaches students to appreciate their uniqueness as women and to celebrate the differences between themselves and men. This awareness often leads to a greater sense of self respect, which allows unmarried students to more fully appreciate the value of refraining from sexual activity until marriage.

The Natural Fertility Appreciation course is taught by an instructor trained in natural family planning, and is offered only to engaged and married couples. Students are taught the facts about natural family planning and the dangers of other non-natural options such as the birth control pill. In addition to providing medical facts, the course promotes purity and commitment from a Biblical point of view.

Positively Feminine had the privilege of speaking with Jill Taylor, executive director of PSC, who described what it’s like to participate in this dynamic ministry.

PF - What do you personally enjoy about working at PSC?
Jill - It’s the most thrilling thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s an opportunity to serve God and never know what He’s going to do with you each day. They come to us seeking, and it’s an opportunity to share God, but it’s also an opportunity to minister to the needs of people.

PF - Is all your counseling done from a Biblical perspective?
Jill - Yes.

PF - What happens when someone comes to you for an abortion?
Jill - We tell them that we educate on abortion and provide information about it, but that we provide options, not abortions.

PF - What options do you present?
Jill - First, we ask if the relationship is headed toward marriage. If so, we can provide marriage counseling. Secondly, we ask if they are considering being a single parent. If so, we get real with the client and provide a realistic picture of the cost of parenting, the responsibilities involved, the needs of the child, and the importance of a father in the child’s life. We must be careful not to push them toward abortion. Third, if the client is open to adoption, we describe what open adoption is about.

PF - Are you politically involved in the Right to Life cause?
Jill - We’re supportive, but not politically involved ourselves. We are the other hand. We’re the hands and feet of Christ in meeting the needs of crisis pregnancy.

We have a staffer who works with the PeACE group. [The PeACE group offers understanding and healing to those who are experiencing the painful effects of a past abortion.] In evangelical churches, one out of every six women has had an abortion. We offer counseling and a Biblical approach for dealing with the anger, guilt, and frustration caused by  abortion. Counseling can be done in a support group or in an individualized setting. We have groups for women only, and some for men only.

PF - What challenges have you had to overcome over the years?
Jill - As in all nonprofits, funding. God provides the money, but we need to do the work. We have grown tremendously over the past 6 years. We do fund raising events, and have church support. Another challenge is keeping staff long-term and training them.

PF - What advice do you have for other women who would like to get involved in pregnancy support ministries in their communities?
Jill - Jump right in! Find out what there is to do. Max Lucado has a great book, Cure for the Common Life. It talks about how each of us has a unique set of talents and gifts from God. Almost anyone can put their talents to use. Visit your pregnancy crisis center to find the cure for the common life.

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For more information about the Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County, visit their website at www.PSCStark.com.