Impact Report May 2025
Our trainers are working in the local areas where they live to create more training events, including interactive workshops (Seat Work) and outreach events (Feet Work). In this Impact Report, Andrea Thenhaus explains some of her experience getting events planned with Alora Tunstill in their local area of Northwest Arkansas, and Andrea describes in vivid detail a conversation that was made possible through those events. In addition, Andrea shares a reflection (blue box, below) from one of the young women who volunteered at the campus outreach events. Thank you for partnering with us through financial gifts and prayers. -Steve Wagner, Executive Director
I moved to Arkansas three years ago. Ever since then, I have been wanting to organize a Justice For All outreach event at the University of Arkansas (U of A) to start conversations. I was told that it would be challenging for an outside organization like JFA to set up outreach tools in a high-traffic area of campus.
Lauren (pictured second from right) and Alora Tunstill (center) in conversation at the University of Arkansas
My friend Alora started an internship with JFA last August. Together, with prayer and determination, we made it our mission to figure out how to get on the U of A campus. After a whirlwind trip all over the university and a series of referrals from students and other clubs, we were sent to the Event Services Office. They helped us understand the process to reserve a space. Our first outreach took place on February 4 and 6! Then on April 15-16, we went back to the U of A, and my colleagues Jon Wagner and Kristina Massa, along with some friends of ours, joined us for outreach. (See Lauren’s reflection below.) We are so grateful for their willingness to join us.
“It’s been such an honor to visit campus with Andrea and the JFA team these past few times! I had no previous experience with pro-life outreach, but it turned out to be an amazing experience. It was so neat to see God use us, give us the words to say, and just overall bless our time of outreach. Students appreciated how peaceful and “non-combative” pro-life conversations can be as we helped them contemplate their views. JFA outreach has helped me understand the pro-choice mind and has proved to be such a wonderful avenue to “open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.” (Proverbs 31:8) – Lauren”
Here’s my memory of one conversation that happened during our February event:
A student I’ll call “Mark” walked up shortly after we had finished setting up our poll table. The poll asked the question, “Should abortion be legal?” We had “Yes” and “No” signs with notebooks for the students to weigh in and express their views.
When Mark finished signing “Yes” to the poll question, I asked him if he had time to share his thoughts. Mark started by saying that he thought abortion should be legal. He was in the military where many of his female colleagues had experienced assault.
Andrea: Wow, that is terrible. Rape is a horrible crime, and no woman should have to go through that.
After talking about his time in the military, the issue of rape, and other related topics, we began to discuss the science related to when human life begins.
Andrea: If the unborn is growing, would you agree it is alive?
Mark: Yes, I would agree with that.
Andrea: If the unborn has human parents, would you agree it is a human being?
Mark: Yes, I agree with that as well.
Andrea (green jacket) in conversation at the University of Arkansas
Andrea: We can know the unborn is a living human being. Obviously, it takes time for the unborn to grow and develop, but science shows that life starts at conception. The development of the unborn is similar to a polaroid photo. Are you familiar with polaroid cameras?
Mark: Yes.
Andrea: After I take the picture, it takes time for the film to develop. However, as soon as I take a picture, that image has been captured. I just need to wait for it to develop in order to see it. From conception the unborn is a whole, living human organism. The unborn grows and develops [but it’s the same organism through all those changes]. Does that make sense? What are your thoughts on that?
Mark: Wow, I agree with what you are saying. This makes sense.
As we talked, I was able to show him images of abortion from the JFA brochure (jfaweb.org/brochure). After giving him a minute to look at the images, I could tell that they were having an impact on him.
Mark: Wow, this is terrible.
Andrea: I agree. After seeing these images, would you say that abortion is a medical procedure? Or does abortion take a human life?
Mark: Abortion is definitely taking a life.
Andrea: I agree. It comes down to whether or not the unborn is a human being. If the unborn are not human beings, then it does not matter if women get abortions. If the unborn are human beings, abortion is taking a life. We talked earlier about life starting at conception, so I agree with you that abortion is taking a human life.
Mark: I have had a lot of training on various things in my life, but I have never learned what you just taught me. Thank you so much for being out here today. I have learned so much, and this conversation has opened my eyes.
As I reflect back on outreach opportunities God has given us here in Arkansas, I am reminded of the power of prayer and of God’s faithfulness. At first it felt challenging to get an event confirmed at the U of A, but God led us each step of the way. I am thankful for the friends God sent to volunteer with us. I am also grateful for the opportunity to talk to Mark and witness the Lord working in his heart and mind. Please pray for us as we plan to do more outreach here in Arkansas.
-Andrea Thenhaus for the JFA Team