GLASGOW, Ky. (KT) – A beloved pregnancy resource center in Barren County celebrated two decades of ministry last week.
Crossroads Life Center was joined by the local Chamber of Commerce, pastors, volunteers, donors and area business leaders for a ribbon cutting, refreshments and tours of the ministry building on Tuesday, June 25.
Carla Estes, executive director of Crossroads, said the Chamber reached out last year wanting to plan a 20th anniversary celebration.
“We are constantly trying to bring more community awareness, and so to have businesses and people within our community that recognize that milestone…it’s huge to have that support,” she said.
Estes shared client testimonials with those in attendance on Tuesday:
- “I felt supported and heard.”
- “My heart feels safe here.”
- “I don’t know where I would be without Crossroads Life Center.”
- “I wish I had known about Crossroads sooner.”
- “I have learned so much more than I ever anticipated.”
Those testimonials represent a fraction of the numerous women and men served by Crossroads Life Center since 2004.
Last year alone, Crossroads served 253 unique clients through approximately 1,000 appointments.
“We had 5 births last year, we did 27 pregnancy tests and we had six abortion-vulnerable (women),” Estes said. “We provided material assistance to 216 clients, and we had a salvation last year, which of course is what we want. That was huge for us, too.”
And while Crossroads doesn’t offer medical services, like limited obstetric ultrasounds, a partnership with The Center for Pregnancy in Bowling Green allows them to send women to a sister pregnancy center that can meet their needs. That’s important for abortion-minded clients, Estes explained.
“Two weeks ago, we had two abortion-minded calls come in and they refused to come to our center. They wanted that abortion, and they just would not come in.”
Not all calls end like that, and are not frequent. The center sees more abortion-vulnerable clients—meaning lack of support, unstable employment or housing keeps abortion on the table—and women interested in parenting then those set on abortion.
Reflecting on the past, looking to the future
“When the Center started, it was known as Crossroads Pregnancy Center. And it really started as a crisis center mainly trying to reach teenage girls with an unplanned pregnancy. And then, in 2012, they expanded to what is now known as Crossroads Life Center,” Estes noted.
Their vision evolved to include equipping men and women to make healthy, competent family choices—including the whole family unit, not just teenage moms.
Crossroads currently serves six counties. Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Estes hopes they can expand to add a satellite center in some of those communities. The pregnancy help ministry has already started with a second location in Hart County.
“That helps with transportation and helps with them being local and being able to receive the support and resources that they need,” Estes said.
Even though abortion is illegal in Kentucky, women are still self-managing pregnancy termination through pills they can order through the mail, said Estes. That’s another population she hopes Crossroads can serve as their ministry moves into a new decade of service.
“Really just reaching those before they reach out for the abortion pill, so how can we go about doing that to reach more clients and really to save more babies,” she said.
On Tuesday, Crossroads also looked back, celebrating their longest-serving volunteer. Andrea Smith pre-dates the center’s doors opening and was honored for her two decades of faithful work.
Learn more about Crossroads Life Center at crossroadsky.org.
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