History

If you were to read our official ministry literature it would read something like this:

PSS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit life-affirming crisis pregnancy center providing services in Summit County, Ohio. PSS is the only provider of free first-trimester ultrasounds in Summit County. Founded in 1996, it was originally known as Suburban Pregnancy Services. In 2004, the Image Clear Ultrasound (ICU) mobile ministry was launched. In 2008, President George W. Bush awarded PSS the prestigious Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award for excellence. In February 2009, the ministry was relocated to 3136 Manchester Road, Akron.

However, as we have been privileged to watch God work over the years, it is obvious that our story is really “His story” and cannot be summarized in a paragraph. Rather, it is a narrative…

In the beginning, PSS began when one of God’s servants, Sylvia Slifko, sought to begin a pregnancy center that had the gospel message at its heart. As a member of Maranatha Bible Church, she went to her friends and church family and began “talking up” the project. A board was formed and in 1996 founding documents were submitted. Our center was born!

For seven years those faithful volunteers served, gave pregnancy tests, counseled girls, and had Bible studies. With great rejoicing lives slowly, one by one, began to be saved.

 

However, there was a frustration. We knew we had a great message and a story that could change the lives of people in need. We could see that thousands of people were choosing abortion each year in the Summit County region. However, we were seeing a nominal number of clients. Sylvia and the board took the matter to prayer one more time. In 2004, God gave Sylvia a shockingly clear vision of Mobile Medical Ministry called Image Clear Ultrasound. As she finished her season of prayer, she knew exactly what she should do. The board agreed and in the next nine months a RV was purchased, designed, wrapped, and retrofitted with an exam table.  Furthermore, an Ultrasound machine was purchased and a Sonographer began to volunteer.

The RV began going out only on Saturdays and evenings. There was an immediate response. In one month they saw more clients than they had seen the entire previous year! They went to part time operation in 2004 and it was in full time operation in 2005. We began to give about 1000 ultrasounds per year. Over 150 babies each year were being saved from abortion. Each and every one of the 1600 people we saw each year received the gospel message as well.

At that time a lot of our time was being consumed by other pregnancy centers calling from around the nation asking how they might start their own Mobile Medical Ministry. We put together a booklet and a brochure and even started attending conferences promoting the model. In 2009, the board approved the creation of a separate 501c3 organization called Image Clear Ultrasound Mobile. PSS has been the proud birthing ground for a national ministry that is now spreading across the globe. It will be the model that changes the face of the pro-life movement.

Our little office in the medical building on Manchester Road started to get cramped. We needed to hire more counselors and we had no place to put them. Our classes outgrew our classroom and we had no visibility. So, in 2009, we were privileged to purchase our current building on Manchester Road. Our new facility has ample space for offices, counseling rooms, volunteer workrooms, an Ultrasound room, educational space, and a very nice space for Emma’s Closet. Thanks to a good friend who retrofitted the garage, we even have space to park the Mobile Unit!

But is our story really about buildings and RVs and board members? No. It is about the story of Jesus Christ being revealed in the heart and life of the men and women we meet. It is about the dramatic stories of transition we have seen over the years. clients who at one time were considering abortion, but through the loving counsel provided, chose life for their baby. Each one of these stories are the threads that make up the tapestry of our larger story – God’s Story!

Stay tuned. All of this has happened because of God sending us donors who passionately care about the work we do. Even though the Lord’s return is near, as long as it is called today, PSS will be here and the Mobile will go to where the girls are “at the cross-roads of decision”.

And we will save babies and share Christ!