By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
BOGALUSA, La. (LBM) – The effort to extend protection to unborn babies in the state just got a boost with the announcement that Washington Parish soon will have a pregnancy center of its own.
The Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for Women and Children, a 1,300-sq.-ft. facility located at 502 Ave. F in Bogalusa, will be the first of its kind in Washington Parish. The center will open by the end of the year if facility renovations are completed.
According to Patrick Magee, pastor of Lees Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa and board member for the SLPC for W&C, the center, as it grows, will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and other physical resources and post-decision support including parenting education. The center will also minister to women who make the wrong decision by providing post[1]abortive healing assistance as a way to show them the love of Christ.
Magee, also a compassion missionary with the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, added that the pregnancy center has received generous support from the local community and some people have indicated they may donate an ultrasound ma chine soon.
“This is a big need for this area because we have heard that mothers have wanted to have the services of a pregnancy center but were unable to travel to the nearest one,” Magee told the Baptist Message. “And that left some who fell through the cracks. Now, those who find themselves in a crisis situation where they need a pregnancy center will have that access and we can hopefully save some babies’ lives.”
Magee called the opening of the center a dream come true, who began praying in 2012 for the establishment of a pregnancy care center in Washington Parish. Ten years passed and Magee began to believe God had closed the door on the idea.
However, in March 2021, the Northlake Crisis Pregnancy Center in Covington learned of Magee’s vision and pledged their support to help make the pregnancy center a reality.
Churches, business leaders and other pro-life advocates in the area also learned of the idea and began contributing money, including $20,000, collectively, through a baby bottle fundraising campaign. By July 2022, a 15-person board of trustees formed of mostly Louisiana Baptist members.
Nine months later, the board voted to buy the property and structure and received a $100,000 pledge from the Northlake Crisis Pregnancy Center for the purchase.
Magee said he is amazed at how God has orchestrated the formation of the pregnancy center.
“It is incredible to know that God gives you a vision for something and you are convinced it’s from Him as you see His hand of providence move through it all,” Magee said. “I realize God has placed this in our hands and we want to do all we can to bring honor and glory to His name.
“This is one of the greatest things we will have in Washington Parish,” he continued. “While we want to save the babies and help the parents, our ultimate goal is to see the Gospel proclaimed in all we do.”
Donations to the SELPC for W&C may be sent c/o Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, P.O. Box 581, Franklinton, LA 70438.
