This is a difficult letter to write, because these are difficult times.
Since opening our doors in Bowie more than 44 years ago, Wellspring Life Ministry has been called to fight for the lives of preborn babies and their mothers. The battlegrounds in this work are many: political, cultural, and above all, spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”
Every day, we witness the intensity of this spiritual conflict surrounding the value of human life. We know the enemy would like nothing more than for a child, created in the very image of God, to never have the opportunity to live the life God has planned for them.
We have faced these attacks over the years, as we have endured protests and vandalism. Pro-abortion activists have made fake appointments to fill our openings, and malicious online reviews have been posted by people pretending to be clients. Most recently, a self-proclaimed satanic group posted a “notice” on our Annapolis clinic sign accusing us of being a ‘fake abortion clinic” that lies to shame women from obtaining “healthcare.”
But we will not be intimidated.
We meet these challenges not with anger or judgement, but by doing what God has called us to do: serve women with love, speak the truth in love, and share the hope of Jesus Christ. And everyday, God brings women through our doors who desperately need that hope.
“Tamaria” was one of them.
Tamaria had just escaped a toxic relationship with her abusive boyfriend. She was beginning to rebuild her life when she began to feel queasy each morning. Filled with dismay, Tamaria purchased a pregnancy test.
The result? She was pregnant.
Reluctantly, she told her ex-boyfriend. Although they were no longer together, he bombarded her daily with threatening, vulgar and hate-filled texts, insisting that she have an abortion.
For our clients, it is impossible to exaggerate how much pressure they often are under when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Many, like Tamaria, are receiving direct pressure and attacks from their partners and family, encouraging and even insisting they abort their baby.
Every one of our clients is influenced by a culture that has made abortion seem like the easiest – or only – answer. Just up the road from our Bowie Crofton Women’s Clinic, an abortuary offers “all-trimester abortion care” and “feticide injection.” Annapolis Planned Parenthood and other local abortionists continue to push the abortion pill as “just in case” pills to keep on hand.
For our clients facing an unexpected pregnancy, their risks extend far beyond the pregnancy itself. Drug overdose, homicide, and other forms of violence are significant causes of death during pregnancy and the year after.
In the midst of all this, Wellspring offers something different: a place where a woman will feel safe, be heard, see her preborn baby, consider her options, and encounter the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
“I’m just scared and unhappy and stuck…
I don’t want to keep going thru this all my life or pregnancy.”
~Tamaria
That is exactly what happened for Tamaria.
Several weeks later, after no response from her, she came in for a second ultra-sound. Despite her ex-boyfriend’s continued pressure, she made the decision to carry her baby and was considering adoption.
Then she shared something that stopped us in our tracks. “This entire pregnancy I have felt unsafe and in the way of everybody. But I feel safe at your clinic.”
“This entire pregnancy I have felt unsafe and in the way of everybody.
But I feel safe at your clinic.”
This is why we are here.
We rejoice with Tamaria, continue to pray for her and will be here to support and encourage her as long as she needs us.
But we can not do this without you.
To remain on the frontlines for life- to reach women like Tamaria and offer them life-affirming choices, we urgently need faithful partners who will stand with us. Your prayers and financial gifts make this ministry possible. Your support provides free ultrasounds, compassionate counseling, practical resources, ongoing support and most importantly, the hope found only in the Gospel.
Would you consider standing with us in the spiritual battle for the lives of these tiny, defenseless image-bearers of our Creator? Whether through a one-time gift or a monthly commitment, your financial partnership helps ensure that when a woman looks online for help, she finds us first and contacts us. When she walks through our doors, she finds someone ready to listen, a professional to offer her an ultrasound, and a Christian ready to share the love of Jesus with her.
As I prepare to step away from my role as CEO after 44 years, I am more convinced than ever that the work must continue, because the need is so great. God has faithfully used Wellspring to save lives, transform families, and share the hope of Christ with women in some of their darkest moments. I believe He has much more ahead for this ministry. I am asking you to help ensure that Wellspring remains strong and impactful for the years to come.
Please pray about making a gift today – and if you are able, consider becoming a monthly partner if you are not already.
Thank you for standing with Wellspring, and for helping us remain faithful to God’s calling. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve the Lord alongside those who support this ministry.
With Gratitude and Hope,
Pamela Palumbo, CEO