In a Care Net survey of over 1,000 people who sought an abortion for themselves or a partner, 43 percent of women and 47 percent of men were attending church at least once a month prior to the abortion.
The Guttmacher Institute, which conducts research on behalf of the abortion industry, reports that over half of those who obtain an abortion identify as Christian, including both Catholics and Protestants. And according to a Planned Parenthood study, more than 7 out of 10 people are not even aware of the resources available to them should they become unexpectedly pregnant.
Although these statistics reveal a disheartening truth, they also reveal that it is possible to reach abortion-vulnerable women and men in the pews at church. With education and coordinated, loving action, your community can support them in choosing life.
Dubuque County Right to Life can equip ministers and church members with tools to understand and share the pro-life message in a convincing way. Below is a list of resources we have available at little or no cost to you, thanks to the generosity of our donors. We are excited to partner with you in advancing a culture of life in your congregation!
Support those impacted by abortion
As the statistics above show, many people have been impacted by abortion, whether directly or indirectly. Chances are that many members of your own congregation are suffering silently and need healing. We can help! For more information on resources that are available, please visit our Post Abortion Recovery page.
Our donors make it possible for DCRTL to bring the following educational and outreach programs to your church community so that you can equip your members to extend the pro-life message to those in need. Contact us to learn more and start building a pro-life program for your church.
Outreach Programs
Support those who need practical help to choose life and heal wounds.
Making Life Disciples
Lead with credibility and love while making abortion unthinkable! Making Life Disciples is a 12-session course created by Care Net that will help your church form a network of support for abortion-vulnerable people and facilitate healing for those who have been personally impacted by abortion.
Walking with Moms in Need
Walking with Moms in Need works to ensure that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, or parenting in difficult circumstances, can turn to her local Catholic Church and be connected with the resources she needs. Volunteers walk with moms throughout the motherhood journey, offering them authentic Christian friendship and ongoing support.
Embrace Grace Program
Embrace Grace knows it can be scary to face an unexpected pregnancy, especially for those who feel lost and alone. Through its support groups, Love Boxes and toolkits for pastors, Embrace Grace equips churches to offer moms and dads the support and community they need to thrive.
National Educational Programs
Learn the facts and tips that will help you change minds and hearts.
Equipped for Life Course
The Equipped for Life Course is comprised of dynamic lesson plans designed by the Equal Rights Institute (ERI) to foster impactful discussions about abortion in today’s culture. Through short video presentations and guided practice dialogue, the Equipped for Life Course empowers the learner to have more effective and productive pro-life conversations on topics such as personhood, bodily autonomy and cases of rape. Our DCRTL members attest to how effectively this course equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to dialogue with others who do not (yet) share their pro-life beliefs:
“Great course! I learned a lot of new facts and ways to defend my beliefs. Hope more courses to follow.”
“The method that this course teaches gives me hope for the future. Giving people the opportunity to discover the truths gives them ownership of that discovery.”
“Through this class, I learned how to approach this sensitive topic with compassion, placing importance on listening to the person and finding common ground.”
If you would like to learn more or bring the Equipped for Life Course to your community as a seminar, click the button below.
ProLife Doc Curriculum
Dr. William Lile, otherwise known as the ProLife Doc, is a medical doctor who speaks across the nation defending the pre-born as patients with equal rights. The ProLife Doc Curriculum is a comprehensive and interactive study kit that includes Dr. Lile’s teaching on such topics as scriptural evidence for life, abortion pill reversal and in-womb therapies. Use the included interactive study guide and discussion questions to engage your community in new ways of thinking and talking about pre-born patients. To bring this curriculum to your local group or church community, click the button below.
Birthday Blast: A Celebration of Life – Catholic VBS
Foundational pro-life principles for kids! In this Catholic vacation bible school (VBS) program*, kids learn that they are valuable because every human life, created in the image and likeness of God, is valuable. This essential pro-life truth is reinforced as kids learn various bible verses, play games, and sing songs.
*Note: If you have a VBS curriculum that you would like us to add to our resources or to review for its pro-life messaging, contact us.
Local Educational Programs
Join our regional efforts to educate, mentor and advocate for life.
Speakers
Our experienced local speakers are available throughout the year to offer presentations on a variety of pro-life topics, with consideration for the scientific, ethical, and philosophical aspects of the issues. We also have speakers who are willing to share their personal testimonies about abortion and other life issues. All presentations are engaging and interactive, allowing for questions and discussion.
Fetal Model Set
Teaching about human development from conception to birth is a great way to instill pro-life values. Our life-size 3-D fetal model set shows human development in the womb from the first month through the later stages of pregnancy and allows observers to see human fetal life in all its detail. Kids love them! Contact us to reserve the fetal model set for display in your church or community space, or in combination with a scheduled speaker.
October Pro-Life Awareness Week
October is Pro-Life Awareness month, so each year DCRTL sponsors a speaker to address tri-state area residents and students aged junior high through college regarding a pro-life topic. Each talk during the weeklong program is open to the public, and most are free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Contact us if you would like our guest speaker to visit your group in the future.
Prayer
Although DCRTL’s primary mission is to educate the public about pro-life issues, we understand that lasting cultural change comes not merely from our own efforts but by the grace of God. Prayer is something anyone can do, regardless of age or ability, and there is so much to pray for: for all pregnant mothers; those who have been impacted by abortion; the conversion of those working in the abortion industry and those who think it should be legal; our elected and appointed officials; and the list goes on.
Will you host a time of prayer for the pro-life cause? Contact us and our staff will help in any way we can.
Pro-Life Opportunities for Students
Every year, DCRTL sponsors a Poster Contest for area 5th graders, inviting them to express pro-life values in a visual way. Prizes are awarded within each participating school and for the top all-around poster submissions. We also sponsor a Scholarship Contest for high school seniors, awarding up to $10,000 annually in college scholarships.
High school students (incoming freshmen through graduating seniors) are invited to join our Ambassadors for Life program, which fosters pro-life activism through mentorship, friendship and leadership opportunities.
All these programs and more are open to students within your congregation, regardless of whether they are enrolled in private, public or home schools. To learn more or get help promoting these activities to the students in your congregation, contact us.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Explore the options here.