The Pro-Life Rally is Over - What Next?

Attending rallies and protests no longer enough to bring real change

NOTE: I dedicate this piece to all my friends, all the warriors, all the servants of this movement who have given their life, breath, and endless energy to this movement. I hope this post - and this hour in our culture - will rally more support to their side, like never before. You are my heroes.
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I have to say what few have said. I must also say what will be uncomfortable to many. But someone has to peel back the bandaid and say truth.

If your idea of bringing change to society is to do protests, pickets, boycotts, and rallies - FOR ANY TOPIC - that is not enough. It will not bring the sustainable change that is needed. It is, in fact, the lazy way out if that is your only call to action.

To bring the change needed in our state, our nation, our communities we need 3 things:

1. Repentant and humble hearts
2. Wisdom and favor of Heaven
3. To each do something on a consistent basis that requires us to roll up our sleeves and put sweat into the game, outside of rallies and protests

​We have to get out and serve our communities.
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WEDNESDAY’S BEAUTIFUL RALLY

Around 5,000 citizens from all walks of life and all corners of Michigan gathered in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday November 8, 2023 to mark the one year anniversary of the passage of the deceptive and destructive Proposal 3.

The weather was cold and rainy. But the atmosphere was sweet and holy. Citizens gathered in a compassionate and gentle manner, hoping their presence would send a message to the world: our work for pro-family and pro-life causes will not stop. We are here to help. We will not go away.
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I am often not a big fan of these type of gatherings. This is where my logic comes into play (it is limited at times): people gather, but then what do they do after the party?
But there is a season for these types of gatherings. And this day was a holy encounter.

The truth of the matter is, many of these people put their blood, sweat and tears into doing all they can to help single moms, give pregnant women other options, and advocate for the unborn.
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The problem is they need more of us to rally around them year round.
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PRACTICAL STEPS TO DO MORE

So beyond a public statement like a rally, what can you do?

1. Reach out to local Pregnancy Centers, Right to Life Groups, and even Protect Life groups on local college campuses.
   1. Get on their email lists
   2. DONATE, DONATE, DONATE
   3. Offer to volunteer
   4. Tell your friends: promote their work and effort to people in your community to do the same. Help them grow their movement.
2. Reach out to Clergy: help encourage, equip, and inspire them to speak up from the pulpit
3. Hone in on young people: mentor them, invite them along for the process of getting involved, help them understand why it matters
4. LOVE ON SINGLE MOMS in your community!
   1. Reach out to facilities like your homeless shelters and ask them “how can we help expectant mothers or single moms under your care? What are your needs?”
   2. Support the single moms in your community (your neighbor? A girl in your child’s school? A mom in your church?): find a way to build relationships with them and let them know, “you are not alone. What do you need?”
   3. Reach out to High school counselors: are they aware of all the pro-life resources available in the community?
   4. Reach out to medical facilities: can you bring them resources to share with families for pro-life resources in community?
   5. Contact the churches in your area: “here is a flyer of all the pro-life resources in the community. Please ask your parishioners to share.”
5. Find people to run for office in local seats. Local matters.
   And when you ask them, “where do you stand on life” and they say, “this township seat or school board has nothing to do with life” tell them,
   
   “To know your position on life, abortion etc helps me understand your worldview and how you might judge things or what you might make priority. Our view on life impacts everything else around us. So while you may not ‘vote on abortion’ it does influence the priorities to issues you will give our community.”

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THIS HOUR IS PERFECT FOR ACTION!

DO NOT WAIT. For those who attended the rally in Lansing - let this moment be an inspiration to you to rally others to get off the couch and put their hand to work.
Start with supporting the groups that already exist. Help them get all the funding they need and more.

And may Michigan - while some would say we are in the shadows of death and defeat - be seen as full of a happy people who are rising from the ashes. May we be known as one of the most pro-life states in the nation where her people come out of the woodwork to love the hurting, to meet the needs of single moms, and who give their physical support to save lives.

This could be the historical moment we have been waiting for: let’s let our one day rally transition to a daily rally of doing more in practical ways in our communities to advocate for life.

And to those who have spent years serving in this arena, I salute you with all my heart. Now may God raise up some more friends to rally around you in every way!