By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the fifth annual CENLA Pregnancy Center ‘Gift of Life’ fundraising banquet at the Randolph Riverfront Center, Sept. 12, former “America’s Top Model” reality show contestant Leah Darrow will share how she became an outspoken advocate for women.
“She has a phenomenal story of redemption,” CPC Executive Director Kim Lyons told the Baptist Message. “Her father came to help rescue her out of a destructive lifestyle, one that the world promoted as important, the opposite of where a woman should find her identity, which is in Christ.”
According to her website, leahdarrow.com, she was caught up in a lifestyle of worldly success that led to suicidal thoughts, depression and low self-confidence. But soon after appearing on “America’s Top Model” in 2004, she found Christ during a photoshoot in New York City. Now, Darrow travels the world and shares her story of how Jesus changed her life.
The largest fundraiser of the year for the pregnancy center also will feature Claire Lemoine (former CPC executive director, who will emcee of the event), a testimony by a former CPC client, music by a local band comprising members from area multi-denominational churches and updates about how God has used this ministry to help serve moms in need so they can experience healthy pregnancies, Lyon said.
“We will celebrate the joy of bringing life into the world,” Lyons added.
Located on the Louisiana Baptist Building campus at 1254 MacArthur Drive in Alexandria since December 2017, CENLA Pregnancy Center (along with centers in Marksville and Vidalia that opened several years later) has served more than 1,400 women, completed 6,000 client visits, 1,700 pregnancy and 1,200 ultrasound tests, and provided 25,573 resources through counseling, referrals, classes and material support.
“To me, those numbers represent the love of God and the fact that our team is answering a very unique call to serve these women in a very specific way,” Lyons said. “Our team shows up for these mommas, in Alexandria, Marksville and Vidalia, not just for a job but because the Lord has put this call on their lives. We are having an impact on future generations. When we take a step back and look at it from that perspective, we are reminded of the important work we do for women and their children.”
To sponsor a table or buy individual tickets, call 318.314-3061 or visit the event website.
