The first pregnancy help center in the Bahamas has weathered challenges and continues to grow, serving the Caribbean nation’s women and families with life-affirming pregnancy help.
Multiple hurricanes, the Covid-19 pandemic, and illicit abortion have not stopped the Bahamas GodParent Center from being a voice for life.
The Bahamas GodParent Center was established in 2015 by Rhonda and Jeffrey Darville and serves as a support system for women and men facing unintended pregnancies in the Bahamas.
Since its very beginnings, the Bahamas GodParent Center has impacted the community with its efforts to serve and foster a culture of life and respect for all.
The founding of the Bahamas GodParent Center was driven by the need to provide support, education, and resources for women facing unplanned pregnancy. Its mission is centered on offering help and alternatives to abortion. The center provides care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
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The center offers diverse and comprehensive services including counseling and support to help clients explore alternatives to abortion, encouraging life-affirming choices.
In addition, the center offers educational resources and referrals to ensure the mother and child's well-being throughout and after pregnancy. By providing information on pregnancy, parenting, and life skills, the center empowers individuals to make informed decisions and flourish in life.
Rhonda Darville shared some of what has challenged and changed for the Bahamas GodParent Center in recent years with Pregnancy Help News.
“There have been many changes and challenges in the last few years, especially following COVID,” Darville said.
“First of all, we saw a decline in funding for the ministry because many people were suffering financially, and many churches were not meeting,” she said. “Even after churches began meeting in person, their congregation sizes were different from pre-COVID.”
“We, unfortunately, lost our brick-and-mortar location and have had to be more virtual,” Darville said. “We thought this would present a hardship for us, with our clients. But our client base grew. We began receiving calls and emails of help from visitors to our shores via cruise ships.”
Tweet This: Despite losing its brick-and-mortar location the Bahamas GodParent Center has gone more virtual and its client base has grown.
“Only God could orchestrate such a move and confirm that our work is vital to the community in the Bahamas,” Darville told Pregnancy Help News.
Additionally, Darville noted the center's involvement in pregnancy help beyond the Bahamas through participation in various international summits and conferences.
“We were also invited to Life International's summit in Malta for Life Affirming and Bible-believing ministries from around the world,” Darville said. “This was held in November of 2023.”
“It was life-changing and purpose-driven,” she said. “We spent time repenting for each of our countries, some 150-plus. We then prayed asking God specifically what was next for our ministries singularly and collectively. The Solemn Summit was focused on the heart of God for Life. We collectively planned and signed a manifesto of the work going forward.”
Despite the challenges, the center continues to grow. Darville highlighted their future goals.
“The biggest challenge has been trying to figure out what next and how to best accomplish our goal for the ministry,” she said. “We would like a mobile unit that would give better access to the whole country. Our leaders are facing personal challenges with their health, and we are praying for new leadership, if God wills.”
She also discussed the center's successes and ongoing needs.
“Our biggest success has been the growth of the ministry virtually,” Darville said. “It seems that the pandemic enabled people to see the viability of working virtually.”
Tweet This: The Bahamas GodParent Center serves takes calls and emails of help from visitors to its shores via cruise ships.
“I would say our biggest need is funding for the work in the Bahamas,” she added.
The landscape in the Bahamas regarding abortion presents challenges for the center’s mission and goals. While abortion is legal there only with the exception of risk to the mother’s life, it remains prevalent, including instances where it is procured for minors.
Tweet This: The Bahamas GodParent Center has faced challenges and prevailed, continuing to serve its island community and be a voice for life.
“The laws in the Bahamas are that abortion is illegal unless in the case of the health of the mother,” Darville explained. “Last year, a young doctor, a mother, and a relative of a teenager were brought before the courts on charges of committing and conspiracy to commit abortion.”
As the Bahamas GodParent Center continues to expand, its mission remains vital and the ongoing support and education it provides contribute to building a compassionate and supportive community for moms in need. By offering dedicated and caring pregnancy help, the center is a positive influence in the lives of many in the community it serves.
More information on the organization and ways to get involved is available on the Bahamas GodParent Center website.
