Equip Sidewalk Counselors

Pleading for life on the sidewalks of abortion facilities.

The Need

Studies show that 75% of women are less likely to drive into an abortion facility for their appointment if they see groups praying outside on the sidewalk. One mom who chose life said, “I told myself that if there were people out here to talk to me that I wouldn’t do it.” And by God’s grace, through the faithfulness of everyday church members seeking to share gospel hope with abortion-minded women, this mom chose life for her baby girl. Being a voice for the voiceless is a crucial ministry of the local church.

What is the Voices for Life Sidewalk Counseling Training?

Just as we train missionaries before they go out on the mission field, sidewalk counselors should be trained before they begin active ministry as well.

Video Series

Voices for Life is a video-series sidewalk counseling training specifically designed to help church members understand the impact of sidewalk counseling, how the gospel transforms pro-life outreach, and wisdom-filled practical tools for pleading for unborn life on the sidewalks of abortion facilities.

Workshop

Over 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or a weekend workshop, this course brings together the core sidewalk counseling team at a partner church, giving them the opportunity to learn, discuss, and pray together before going out on the sidewalk. It also continues to serve them when they bring on new members of their church to their ministry team.

Outcome

We want our partner churches to boldly, confidently, and graciously send sidewalk counseling teams to abortion facilities with the right tools, methodology, and gospel-saturated teaching to fuel their outreach.

About the Curriculum

8 Sections of Material: Churches have three options for facilitating this curriculum: 4 sessions every other week (2.5 hours long), 8 sessions every week (1-1.5 hours long), or a weekend workshop led in-person or virtually by S4U staff.

6 Training Videos: Throughout the training, your group will watch 6 videos (20-45 minutes each), followed by an interactive discussion based on the study guide for the training, ending in a time of intentional prayer.

Live Q&A with S4U: In addition to six training videos, two sessions also include live Q&A and ministry plan customization with S4U staff. Since no sidewalk counseling situation is the same, we work with you to ensure that your team is fully equipped and supported no matter the situation.

Stories from the Sidewalk

“A couple in a red car stopped on their way in to tell us she really appreciated the packet we had given her 2 weeks ago. She said she prayed about it and told us she is not going through with the abortion.”

“...one mother was joyful to save the life of her baby! We spoke with her and the father briefly before she went in, and just a while later she came out of the clinic with tears, falling to the ground! She was overwhelmed and couldn't go through with the abortion.”

“Still dabbing her eyes, L. said, "I told myself on the way here today that I just needed someone to tell me not to do it." "It sounds like God responded to that whether you meant it as a prayer or not," I said. "I'm not doing it," she said. "I'm going to keep my baby."

“On Saturday, another volunteer shared about a mother (they didn't catch her name) who entered the clinic, but was eventually so overwhelmed by the simple fact that there were so many people praying outside that she left the clinic! What an encouraging reminder: in this ministry where we often feel our efforts seem to be in vain, God still changes minds through the ministries of prayer and presence.”

Equip Sidewalk Counselors