Bladen Pregnancy Support Services' motto is: Making a difference, one life at a time, and according to Reverend Steve Butler, the organization's Board Chairman, that is exactly what the ministry is trying to do.

Since opening more than five years ago, Bladen Pregnancy Support Services has worked with more than 1,100 young women in a variety of situations.

Butler, the founder of the ministry, said he first became interested in developing such a program after hearing a presentation on the topic in a pastor's meeting at Zion Hill Baptist Church.

"They had invited a lady-Helen Rodgers, wife of the pastor of a church in Acme-Delco-to speak to the pastors regarding pregnancy support programs that had been started in other counties," said Butler. "She talked about the large number of babies being aborted each year.

"God spoke to me during that meeting. I was overcome with emotion to the point of breaking into tears as she described the process," Butler explained. "That night I could not sleep and God laid it on my heart to give her (Rodgers) a call.

"I called her the next day and she agreed to meet Ann (Cashwell) and I the next day at the Front Porch (restaurant)," Butler said. "She explained that she had been involved in establishing pregnancy support services and was interested in getting one started in Bladen County.

"I invited her to come and speak at our church (Butler was pastor of Briar Branch Baptist Church at that time)," he said. "I had announced that she was coming, but only 12 people showed up to hear her presentation, which really disappointed me. But everyone who attended got on board with the ministry."

"The church voted to sponsor the ministry and get it organized," Butler explained. "I then went to our Director of Missions (Mack Roberts at that time). After discussing the issue, we agreed that the first step would be to find a building we could use to house the program.

"He suggested that we look into renting a house just down the street from the Association offices," Butler said. "We did and found that it was affordable and was suitable for what we needed."

Butler said a board of directors was formed to oversee the program and its first order of business was to rent the building to house the program. They then applied for tax-exempt status as a non-profit agency.

"Initially we had 12 people volunteer to become counselors in the program," Butler said. "They had to take an eight-hour training program before they could work at the center. Among the things they learned was how to talk with those who came to us about God. We tell them about Jesus but we don't drive it down their throats. We try to win them over by our example."

Bladen Pregnancy Support Services officially opened in September 1999.

Butler said that those who worked at the center found out quickly that they would deal with a variety of situations.

"Some were pregnant and didn't know what to do, or where to turn. Some were considering abortions. Others had had abortions and were having emotional problems as a result. Some were homeless and some had even lost their children through the courts," Butler explained.

Butler said that everything discussed between clients and counselors is held in the strictest confidence.

"Not only does the center offer counseling services, we have a clothing closet which provides both maternity and baby clothing. We have a food pantry to help when they have no food and no resources to buy it. We also provide a layette (a clothes basket full of all the necessary supplies someone would need with a new baby)."

Shirley Powell, a board member and volunteer in the program from its beginning, operates the clothes closet.

"In cases where young girls are afraid to tell their parents of their pregnancy, we've even went with them (the girls) to tell them," he said.

"We often follow clients throughout their pregnancy, even to the delivery room if necessary," he said. "Many have brought their babies by to see us after they are born. That really makes our day. So far we've had 288 babies born to mothers who have used our services. We like to call them 'our babies.'

"In cases where we are unable to help someone who comes to us, we refer them to an agency who can offer them assistance when possible," Butler added.

"I have seen many instances where God has brought healing to women who have had abortions and have been emotionally suffering as a result," he said.

"We give God all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise for what we've been able to accomplish in this ministry," Butler added.

Mary McMillan says she became a volunteer at the center after her daughter, Candi, received counseling through the program.

"She was not considering abortion, but was confused and didn't know where to turn," McMillan said. "I advised her to go to the center. I had become aware of the center through my church activities.

"I accompanied her to all of her appointments. I saw how they loved Candi and how much they did for her. That's when God put it on my heart to become a volunteer," McMillan added.

Candi later married and her baby was born on her 19th birthday.

The ministry puts out about 1,100 copies of a newsletter monthly. The newsletter is also available on the New Beginnings Church website, www.nbfellowchurch.org at the Bladen Pregnancy Support Services prompt.

The center is open Tuesdays from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Anyone seeking services at other times may call 862-7903 and leave a message. Cashwell, the director of the ministry, will return the call, usually within 24 hours.

The center is also seeking volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering their services may do so by calling the same number and leaving a message.

Displayed below the ministry's motto on its literature and other material is a verse of scripture that Butler says has served as a reminder of the importance of the program over the years. The Bible verse is: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." Jeremiah 1:5.

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