Life Choices Medical Clinic in Bexar County occupies an inconspicuous back corner of a nondescript shopping center off Ingram Rd in northwest San Antonio. The location, just like every detail of the clinic, is intentional. The facility, the equipment and the staff have been carefully selected to fulfill one goal — a 25 percent decrease in the abortion rate in Bexar County.
Life Choices opened in 1998 as Agape Crisis Pregnancy Center, an outreach of Crossroads Baptist Church and sister congregations in the San Antonio Baptist Association. Early on in the life of the ministry, Village Parkway Baptist Church assumed primary responsibility for Agape. In 2011 this center which had focused on free pregnancy testing, counseling and supplying diapers and baby items to in-crises women, received a generous grant from Focus on the Family. This grant enabled the purchase of equipment and expansion of services to fully realize the center’s new name, Life Choices Medical Clinic.
Executive Director, Charity Farrar summarized the shift in focus that becoming a medical clinic entailed. “We were great at passing out diapers, but not saving many babies.” The clinic still offers diapers and layettes along with other material necessities to their clients, but since performing their first ultra sound in February, 2012, 1605 babies have been rescued from abortion.
Today, this ministry is about much more than providing diapers to the expectant mothers and fathers who walk into their Wi-Fi enabled, coffee bar style reception area. The Life Choices Medical Clinic mission statement encompasses its expanded role in the community. “Life Choices Medical Clinic exists to save the lives of unborn children, minister to women and men facing decisions involving pregnancy and sexual heath and touch each life with the love of Christ.”
This modern clinic offers pregnancy testing, sonograms, STI testing and treatment, crisis counseling, parent education including fatherhood classes, community referrals and education, professional counseling along with the much needed material assistance. Current plans include the addition of well woman care and limited obstetric care by the end of this year. Architect drawings have been completed for a future 12000 square foot facility on a five and one half acres tract off Ingram Rd. Funding will determine how quickly these plans will materialize as brick and mortar.
The Life Choices Medical Clinic ministry is now independent of any specific church or denomination. This 501C3 nonprofit is directed by an interdenominational board, governed by a set of bylaws and guided by a Statement of Faith. A diverse group of churches and charitable organizations partner with the ministry to save lives and build families.
Now, why the inconspicuous location? Center volunteers realized that clients would not approach a facility located in a high traffic area. But the inconspicuous location does not deter the women who need its services. This unassuming storefront across from a Via bus station welcomed about 200 desperate women every month in 2014. These women received free testing and treatment given in the name of Jesus Christ. His life-giving hope is offered to all and both physical and spiritual lives are saved through this vibrant, growing ministry.