About Gateway Pregnancy Center

Gateway Pregnancy Center began with a simple vision shared by many local churches: to bring hope in Christ to women and men facing unexpected pregnancies in the North Jersey area. Ever since those early days, our commitment has been to meet every person with compassion, practical support, and the transformative love of Jesus.

Our Gospel Mission

A History of God’s Faithfulness

  • A Vision Takes Shape (1984-1987)
    In 1984, members of Grace and Peace Cranford, Evangel Scotch Plains, and Calvary Chapel united in prayer about creating a crisis pregnancy center, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Gateway. By 1987, Rev. Michael Westbrook and his wife, Maria, were volunteering at Archway Pregnancy Center in Elizabeth—an organization dating back to 1985. Recognizing the growing need for an evangelical crisis pregnancy ministry in Newark, they approached the Archway Board of Directors for help in establishing a new center.

  • Founding & Incorporation (1989)
    Over the next year and a half, a steering committee worked diligently on the many tasks required to open a new center. In November 1989, Irvington’s Gateway Pregnancy Center was officially incorporated, ushering in a new season of service.

  • Merging for Greater Impact (1998)
    In the fall of 1998, Archway in Elizabeth merged with Gateway in Irvington—uniting under the name Gateway Pregnancy Centers. This merger allowed both ministries to pool resources, expand their reach, and serve more individuals across multiple communities.

  • Expanding to Plainfield (2008)
    After years of prayer by the Board of Directors, Dorothy Booker spearheaded the search for a Plainfield location and organized volunteers. By March 2008, the third Gateway Pregnancy Center was up and running, ready to serve clients in need.

  • Partnerships & Adoptions (2010–2014)
    From 2010 to 2013, Gateway worked closely with pastors in Newark to begin a center there. In 2014, First Choice Women’s Resource Center—a similar pregnancy ministry—adopted the Plainfield site (and the Newark site a year earlier in 2013), reflecting the spirit of unity that guides our mission.

    Our desire is always “cooperation,” not “competition.”

  • Serving Thousands with the Gospel
    Since the ministry began, over 42,000 clients have been counseled and given free pregnancy tests, practical referrals, material resources, and—most importantly—the Good News of Jesus Christ. We believe every life is precious and that true hope is found in a relationship with Him.

Our Team

Crissia Villacres

Executive Director

  • Crissia joins Gateway Pregnancy Center with a deep-seated passion for serving families and a strong foundation in education and ministry leadership. For over a decade, she worked as a certified early childhood teacher (PreK-3rd) in urban communities, a role that fueled her love for teaching and supporting children during their crucial foundational years. After ten years in the classroom, she transitioned to homeschooling her three daughters for six years, further deepening her commitment to personalized family care. During this period, she also served as the director of children’s ministry at her local church, honing her organizational and pastoral skills.

    Crissia received a B.S. in both Spanish and Art History from Rutgers University and is additionally certified as a K-8 Spanish teacher. Her diverse background uniquely positions her to guide Gateway Pregnancy Center’s mission of compassionate support for mothers and families.

    When not serving in her role, Crissia finds joy in teaching the Bible to women, hosting loved ones with good food and coffee, traveling, and spending time at the beach with her family, including her husband and four children, Elizabeth, Emma, Ella, and David.

Pastoral Support

Rev. Dean Gavaris

What We Stand For

Biblical Compassion
We welcome every individual with open arms, reflecting the heart of Jesus in our counsel and care.

Sanctity of Life
Each life—born or unborn—is precious to God. We seek to uphold the value of life in all we do.

Practical Help & Spiritual Hope
Beyond free pregnancy tests and counseling, we offer tangible resources and connect clients to social services. Yet our deepest prayer is that every person would encounter the life-changing love of Christ.