Ashland Pregnancy Center holds banquet in afterglow of Heartbeat Bill signing (VIDEO)

ASHLAND — Last week an exuberant crowd gathered at Ashland University’s Myers Convocation Center for Ashland Pregnancy Care Center’s (APCC) annual fundraising banquet. The event took place just hours after Governor Mike DeWine signed the Heartbeat Bill into law.

According to event organizers, the banquet raised $145,000. Of the 700 in attendance, 65 percent were new attenders to the APCC banquet. Those in attendance included dignitaries: Senate President Larry Obhof, State Auditor Keith Faber, State Representative Darrell Kick.

“It is evident that there is a genuine optimism in Ashland with forty churches and counting now partnering with APCC. Our conservative community is generous and compassionate,” says Melanie Miller, Executive Director of APCC.

Coming from Cleveland eleven years ago, Miller is now in her fourth year as Executive Director of APCC. Her husband, Matt Miller is Mayor of Ashland and served as the banquet emcee.

“Melanie is a woman of faith and I attribute this year’s large following as a marker to her sincere faith,” says Reverend Andrew Foster of Come Alive Community Church and co-leader of the men’s ministry at APCC. “Since Melanie has taken the reigns of leadership, the numbers of financial supporters, volunteers and prayer partners have surpassed expectations. More people are aware that there is a pregnancy center here in Ashland.”

According to Miller, “We have seen a growth in post-abortion ministry. Recently we saw two women who suffered from post-abortion depression get set free and are now leading Bible studies for women’s support groups.”

The banquet featured Matt Hammitt, the former lead singer of “Sanctus Real,” who sang his hit song “Lead Me.” The song talks about the journey he took with his wife in making marriage and family a priority over his singing career.

Interestingly, while the chances a mother keeps her baby when viewing her baby’s ultrasound is well documented, when the father sees the ultrasound, there is a 90 percent chance the baby is saved.

“The ministry of quipping fathers to promote marriage is so important,” says Miller. “Our men’s ministry started in 2018 and when a team of male pastors became available to serve at APCC, we have seen a marked growth in fathers benefiting from our services. Whole families are even attending area churches as a result.”

The ministry at Ashland Pregnancy Care Center is multi-faceted. APCC provides quarterly opportunities for client families to recharge with other new and expecting parents.  These events center around meals and fellowship. Located at 119 Sloan Avenue in Ashland, APCC provides ultrasounds performed by licensed medical staff, pregnancy testing, gives professional referrals and has a 24/7 Hotline: (800) 712-4357

A “Learn and Earn” program is available for client families from pregnancy through the baby’s birthday. These families can earn “baby bucks” by checking out library books, watching a DVD, or enrolling in a 12-week parenting class. “Baby bucks” buy items for client babies in the pregnancy center’s off-site boutique at Emmanual Methodist Church. Customized individual care plans designed by APCC include, Bible studies, financial planning, life coaching, and many other needs. 

‘I believe GOD is stirring people’s hearts more then ever as lies are being exposed with recent pro-life movies like ‘Unplanned,’ says Miller. “The Bible says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but Jesus says I have come that they may have life, and life abundant.”

Reverend Travis Mckenzie, of Compassion Church and co-leader of the men’s ministry at APCC sums it all up. “With the national furor over legalized infanticide in New York and Virginia, something special is happening in Ashland, Ohio and people are coming together. Melanie’s (Miller) positive leadership and energy is contagious and the timing of the banquet with the Heartbeat Bill signing was just ‘icing on the cake.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Psalm Thirty-Three, “The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

View official video of song “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real (4 min. duration)