Pro-Life Students: Make The Most of Your Summer

Now that school has ended for the semester, you may be wondering what you should do next with the time you have off. You  may be wondering how to make the break between semesters meaningful and how to continue to spread the pro-life message while not in school or while taking summer courses.

Here are three things that I have found helpful:

1. Start reading

Start growing your knowledge on the abortion issue; in particular, you not only should, but you must become an apologist. We all have had questions asked of us such as, "Why are you pro-life?" Having a ready answer is crucial for being an effective pro-life ambassador within your sphere of influence. With that in mind, it is of the utmost importance to understand the logic of the pro-life argument, and have at least a basic knowledge of what questions may be asked of you.

Here are several books that every pro-life student, whether in high school or college, should have on their shelves:

1. The Case For Life by Scott Klusendorf
2. Tactics by Greg Koukl
3. Persuasive Pro-Life by Trent Horn
4. Letters to a Young Progressive by Mike Adams
5. The Unaborted Socrates by Peter Kreeft.

2. Get Trained

While you are in the process of reading (and re-reading, then three-reading) some of the titles above, consider attending and even hosting a pro-life training seminar. Have a member of the LTI team come and speak to your church youth group, college ministry, Bible study, or at a local pregnancy resource center. Learning from those who have been working in the field of pro-life apologetics and activism, especially those who have years' worth of experience, will help encourage students and non-students alike to get involved and engaged on this important topic.

Consider also watching and discussing a debate on abortion, especially with friends and family who may not agree with the pro-life view but are interested in talking about it. For starters, here is a recent debate between Scott Klusendorf and Dr. Nadine Strossen at Wayne State University.

3. Build a relationship with your local pro-life ministry

In many cities across the United States, pro-lifers have started pregnancy centers to help those in the midst of a crisis pregnancy find the care they really need as opposed to abortion. Many of these ministries or pregnancy resource centers are staffed by volunteers and rely mostly on donations to engage in the lifesaving work that they do. Building a relationship with the men and women working in these ministries can help students become aware of the resources available to their peers and colleagues at the local high school or college. Having a relationship with the local pro-life ministry can also put students in touch with potential mentors who have matured while working in the pro-life movement and learn to show love and compassion to those hurting from abortion.

Even doing something as simple as having a stack of brochures and resources on abortion alternatives within driving range of a school can be of importance.

Putting these three objectives into practice can help any student become an effective pro-life ambassador within the sphere of influence that they have been placed in and to be equipped to make a difference to those around them.