In California – a vehemently pro-abortion state – Sidewalk Advocates are working hard to reach men and women outside their local abortion facilities with life-affirming resources. In early February, Sidewalk Advocates for Life Vice President Nate visited one of our California locations in Redding. “It was such a great opportunity for me to be there with our Sidewalk Advocates team,” said Nate.
With friendly smiles, gift bags in hand, and signs with messages like, “We’re here for you,” and “We’re here to help,” the Redding Sidewalk Advocates are a peaceful, loving presence on the sidewalk. Recently, that presence helped two women who were seeking pregnancy tests to turn away from the abortion facility and seek help at the local pregnancy resource center instead. Nate shared, “God is doing something so beautiful through Redding with the help of Sidewalk Advocates for Life!”
Many advocates on the Redding, CA team are members of Bethel Church, a proudly pro-life Christian community rooted in the love of God. Not only does Bethel Church encourage its members to be active on the sidewalk at the Redding location, the church’s ministry school offers Sidewalk Advocacy training as an elective course. A prominent leader of Bethel Church shared his gratitude for Sidewalk Advocates for Life’s role in this formation:
“Thank you for doing this, and thank you for doing this right.”
The Bethel church family is a beautiful example of how anyone who loves Jesus can share that same love with abortion-vulnerable mothers who need real help and hope. Their presence on the sidewalk is a testimony to the Lord at work and how love can save lives in the darkest part of a community. “It was wonderful to enjoy time with them, encourage them, share tips and strategies – empowering our local team of volunteers on the sidewalk,” said Nate.
In a post-Roe America, it remains critical that all Christians, across all denominations, unite to be the hands and feet of Christ for mothers in need. “There are a lot of misconceptions about faith groups on the sidewalk,” Nate says.
“Service to abortion-vulnerable mothers and their preborn children is EVERYONE’S thing. We can and we do work in unity for this mission despite our theological differences.”
In this turning point of our nation’s history, we must stand arm-in-arm on the sidewalk, united under the banner of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to help reach mothers in crisis and to save lives.
For more on the importance of cross-denominational outreach on the sidewalk, check out this video.