Thank you for providing the place and the team to show life on the screen!

We often underestimate the power of a name. Names are important because they are the source of meaning and origin, and we show honor when we call others by name. We see the power of names in the Bible, too. When God moved in his people, he often changed their names to reflect that unique work. Abram became Abraham. Sarai became Sarah. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter.

A 25-year-old woman named Jenna wasn’t sure how she felt about being pregnant and didn’t know what to do because she and her boyfriend had just broken up. She never thought she wanted children, so she suddenly became overwhelmed and confused. When she came to CHOICES, her advocate, named Kim, introduced herself. Jenna was shocked and asked her to repeat her name. “Kim,” said the advocate. Jenna told Kim it was a coincidence because her ex-boyfriend’s name was also Kim.

During their conversation, Jenna shared that she did have an appointment scheduled at Planned Parenthood, but we were able to see her first. She also shared that Kim, her ex-boyfriend, would want her to have the baby and that his dad is a strong Christian who has always been a great support for her. She prayed with her advocate as the nurse prepared for the ultrasound.

When Jenna walked into the ultrasound room, her nurse, named Dawn, introduced herself. She told Jenna she loved her name and shared that she had a daughter named Jenna. Yet another coincidence shocked Jenna as she met her 7-week preborn baby on the screen.

You and I know it’s not a coincidence. It’s God. And there is power in a name.

What’s surprising, perhaps, is how profoundly God can use a single word to shape and influence outcomes. Right then, in that ultrasound room, Jenna chose life! She left that day excited about a baby she never knew she wanted. Jenna and Kim attended our Legacy Parenting Classes, where they were equipped to thrive in parenting! “Attending parenting classes at CHOICES with my partner allowed us to bond over the pregnancy and experience what it’s like to be a family before our blessing even arrived,” Jenna said. “The amount of love and support we experienced was phenomenal and something we will never forget!”

In February, they were thrilled to welcome their beautiful baby girl into the world, giving her the name Marley, with her own qualities as one created in the image of God.

God, in all his mighty power, is still working in the beautiful story of Jenna, Kim, and Marley. But for Jenna, CHOICES simultaneously represents both a return to who she was and a new beginning. In short, she knows, and we are all reminded of this: There is power in a name.

“Kim made my time at Choices feel very personal and comforting. After seeing my ultrasound and my baby girl developing in my belly, I left Choices that day with the only choice for me.”
– Jenna