Today, there are over 2,700 pregnancy resource centers in the United States, roughly four times the number of chain abortion clinics. You would think the difference would mean incredible gains for the pro-life movement. However, the amount of federal and state funding poured into abortion clinics is staggering.
Medicaid typically reimburses abortion clinics for providing birth control and abortion services. In 2018, the Heritage Foundation reported, “Over a three-year period, these (abortion) clinics and their affiliates spent $288 million in federal funds. They also received $1.2 billion in funding from Medicaid, which combines federal and state funds. That adds up to a whopping total of $1.5 billion in taxpayer funds from federal health programs.”
Can you imagine the impact the pro-life movement would make with that kind of money? You may not have billions, millions, or even thousands of dollars to donate, but there are still many ways you can make a significant difference on behalf of the unborn. Here’s how you can be involved with the pro-life movement.
Involvement Through Education
Study the facts and statistics about the abortion industry. To truly defend the unborn, we must understand abortion’s impact not only on women and children, but on our nation as a whole.
Educate yourself on the truths and lies about the abortion industry, especially in your own community. Did you know approximately 889,000 abortions took place in the United States in 2019? Or, that 18 days from conception, the heart begins to beat, with the baby’s own blood? Learn the facts about life, abortion, and the pro-life movement.
Remember, education also needs to be shared. As you learn statistics, share them with others in meaningful, non-threatening conversations.
Involvement Through Volunteering
The gift of your time is immeasurable when it comes to running a pregnancy resource center. Centers rely on volunteers to mentor young women in need of comfort and answers. There are multiple opportunities to volunteer, so choose the one you either have a passion for or fits your talents. Here’s a few ideas:
- Become a Client Advocate or Pregnancy Coach
- Join the Outreach and Events team.
- Promote the center at your local church and become your church liaison.
- Get involved in yearly fund-raising activities (i.e. Banquets, Walk for Life, Baby Bottles)
Involvement Through Finances
In addition to volunteers, financial contributions are the lifeblood of pregnancy centers. Your donations, whether directly to the center or through a fundraising event, maintain the services centers offer. You have a powerful, indirect opportunity to be a life-saver.
Even a small one-time donation is encouragement to the men and women working. A regular monthly gift helps the center set an annual budget. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Consider adding a pro-life ministry or your local pregnancy center to your regular monthly giving.
4. Involvement Through Prayer
Pray for a stirring in the hearts of Americans to hunger for truth. Pray for an awakening.
Most women do not make the decision to abort easily, and our need to show them tenderness and mercy must drown out those who would condemn and judge.
Take part in the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in January, the National Day of Prayer in May, and “See You At The Pole” in September. Stand and pray in front of your local abortion clinic. Volunteer to be a prayer warrior for your local crisis pregnancy center, receiving texts at the moment workers are meeting with and praying for clients.
5. Involvement Through Activism
Work to elect pro-life political leaders and actively support politicians who are already speaking up for the voiceless. Perhaps you even feel called to run for office yourself.
However you choose to be involved with the pro-life movement, stay fervent. With headlines in national papers like, “Why Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Legal, But Unethical” and “Crisis Pregnancy Centers: Faith Centers Operating in Bad Faith,” we need to remain vocal. After all, lives are depending on it.