"I'm Going to Change My Vote."

Impact Report July 2026

In this Impact Report, we feature a story that trainer Kristine Hunerwadel shared recently in her May newsletter. Thank you for considering giving a special gift and praying for our team during our Summer Giving Challenge! -Steve Wagner Executive Director

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I was on campus at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado at the end of April, and at one point during our outreach event, I was sitting on the “No” side of our “Should Abortion Remain Legal?” poll table. I asked a female student nearby (who was getting ready to sign her name in the “No” notebook) about her thoughts on abortion. I’ll call her “Sarah.” Sarah paused, then realized what side she had started to sign, then crossed her name out and moved instead to the “Yes” side of the table, which was the side she thought she had been signing. My heart sank a bit while watching her switch sides, because I realized the conversation we were about to have was likely going to be different than the one I had expected. I waited while she wrote down her thoughts:

I don’t believe in abortion, and I think they are alive, but that’s my opinion. I am religious and do think it’s killing them, but it’s better to have a choice.

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Kristine talks to a student at Adams State University in April.

Sarah and I proceeded to have a conversation about what she had written down. She said she was a Christian and that she thought abortion is wrong morally and that she doesn’t want women to choose it. Yet, she still thought they should have a choice. We discussed why that was the case, and why she personally didn’t believe in abortion. I then asked her a few questions about prenatal development and pointed out that the law protects infants from being hurt or killed. Then I asked her something like, “If the law protects human children after birth, and that’s because they are human beings, then why shouldn’t it protect them before birth as well, since they are human beings then, too?” We also talked about some difficult medical circumstances that can impact pregnant women, as well as various procedures and medications about which women need to have legal choices during pregnancy (related to things like ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, for example). We discussed how essential treatment options in those settings (that are legal in all states currently, to my knowledge) differ from medications and procedures that are used to induce elective abortions. We also talked about the marvels of modern medicine, and Sarah was particularly intrigued to learn that currently medical specialists perform amazing in-utero surgeries at early gestational ages on very small prenatal children, who then continue to live and grow and develop inside their mothers until they are able to be delivered.

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Sarah crossed out her "yes" response and changed her vote during the conversation with Kristine.

Overall, our conversation ended up being very pleasant, and Sarah at one point said, “I’m going to change my vote” and did so. We were able to talk a little about her journey in her faith and her current church, and I was able to introduce her to the campus ministry leader with whom we were working that day, as well as some students from his group. I was encouraged by her change of mind in the middle of our conversation, because conversations don’t often include an immediate and visible change of mind (and vote) like hers. In fact, I’ve been on staff with JFA for almost two years now, and Sarah was the first person who so definitively crossed out her initial answer during our conversation. It was clear from the turn of events in her case that the Lord had been working on molding and shaping her as she was growing in her faith already prior to our interaction that day, and that was exciting to see.

Another conversation I had that day, though, was with a male student I’ll call “Jack” who appeared to not budge at all in regards to his view on abortion (at least on the outside). He was adamant even that it was okay for women to take drugs while pregnant, even though they could harm the baby, and he also didn’t feel that stronger, more powerful adults owed care at all even to born infants. Drawing on JFA’s “It’s Her Body” series (read it online at jfa1.org/its-her-body), I asked him something like, “For example, if you were hiking in a remote place and came across a defenseless infant on the path who was helpless and needed immediate care, and you had the means to help, and no one else was nearby who could do so, would you be obligated at all to care for the infant, at least until someone else could?” He responded that he would not be responsible to care for the baby at all, and that it would be fine to walk past it and do nothing. That was very disheartening. The next day, too, one of my conversations involved a woman I’ll call “Teresa” yelling off and on over the course of about an hour and a half while we were speaking together, to the point that the police were called by a professor who said her students inside one of the nearby buildings were having trouble focusing because of what was going on outdoors.

Like Jack, Teresa seemed from all appearances unwilling to change her mind, but she was willing to have a conversation, and I’m hopeful that seeds were planted in that conversation that God will use to change her heart one day. As we intend to do with every person we encounter on campus, our team paused that evening to pray for Teresa, Jack, Sarah, and other students we talked to during the outreach event. Will you please join us in praying for all of the students we’ve talked to this semester? Thank you!

-Kristine Hunerwadel, for the JFA Team

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SUMMER GIVING CHALLENGE UPDATE

Meet Our Newest Intern: A recent graduate of Texas A&M, Eva is based in the Houston metro area near College Station. She is one of the interns supported by our Summer Giving Challenge. Please pray for Eva!

If you are one of the many who have responded to our Summer Giving Challenge, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please consider giving a special gift to one of four focus areas we’ve identified for the challenge. See our May 2026 letter and June 2026 letter for more information. If you’re currently giving to support the work of a JFA trainer, an extra gift this month helps us reach one of our goals! As always, call our office (316.683.6426) to reach any of our trainers to connect about the challenge.

For upcoming events, see jfa1.org/calendar. For recent stories and pictures, see jfa1.org/impact-quick-look.

I Can't Stop Thinking About What You Said

In this Impact Report, JFA’s intern who joined our team in March, Whittley, shares a conversation she had during our Arkansas events in April. We also share a list of events and an update on our Summer Giving Challenge below. Whittley is already doing excellent work, and we're excited to see what God is doing as He builds our team. Thank you for considering giving a special gift and praying for our team during our Summer Giving Challenge.  Use jfa1.org/may-2026 to share this challenge with friends!

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

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At the University of Arkansas in April, JFA team members (facing camera in each image) talk to students. Top: Whittley (L), Steve (R).

Kaitlyn (Center) was interviewed about our event and the meaning of our experimental poll question. To many Gen Z students, “slay” only means “great,” so the double entendre was lost on them until we explained it, leading to productive dialogue of the question, “Does abortion kill human beings?”

Impact Report

Recently the JFA team came to Arkansas to have conversations with students at the University of Arkansas where I am a student. One moment stands out to me from our three days of outreach.  

On the third day of outreach, I was standing by the poll table when a student named Addie came up to talk. Not many students were stopping to talk so there were three of us talking to Addie, all of us sharing our thoughts on abortion. Addie said that she personally wouldn’t get an abortion, but thought that the option should still be available for those who need it. Our conversation was good, but I noticed that we were all just finding common ground. Finding common ground is very important, but I wanted to further our conversation. Addie was open to what we had to say, so I figured I would try to challenge her.

Here’s how our conversation went. 

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At the University of Arkansas in April, Whittley (Center Left) and Andrea (Center Right) talk to students.

Whittley: I think choices are important, and I am so thankful that I live in a country where I, as a woman, can have freedoms. I think it all just comes back to what the unborn is. 

Addie: What do you mean?

Whittley: Well, if the unborn is just tissue, then sure, I think abortion should be legal. But if the unborn is a living human being, then I have to question if abortion should be legal. 

Addie: I’ve never thought about it like that before. 

That was the moment I had hoped for. What made this moment all the more special is that we continued talking. About ten minutes later, Addie pointed to me and said, “I still can’t stop thinking about the point you made earlier about what the unborn is.” 

This was exciting to hear. Although she had never thought about the question before, she was still thinking about it even as we discussed other things. I hope she continues to ask herself what the unborn is and that she comes to the conclusion that the unborn is a human being who should be protected.   

          - Whittley Benzing, for the JFA Team

Summer Giving Challenge Update!

In our May 2026 letter (jfa1.org/may-2026), we explained how we’re working to raise $200,000 in extra funding this summer so that we can pay seven additional interns in the next year, outfit more regions with outreach tools, and solidify our support for events and current training staff. We’ve already hired three of those interns: Eva, Ava, and Lily. Eva began on June 8 and has already participated in two outreach events. Ava and Lily start in early August.

Please consider giving a special gift this summer to help us reach more people through the work of these interns, as well as the work of our seasoned trainers. Our May letter (jfa1.org/may-2026) gives more detail about our Summer Giving Challenge. Special gifts supporting the Intern Scholarship Fund, the work of a specific trainer, the Exhibit R&D Fund, and various other designations all help us reach our goal!  

It’s easy to reach our leaders to discuss your questions about the Summer Giving Challenge. Call JFA’s office phone (316-683-6426) to reach Steve Wagner (Executive Director), Jon Wagner (Director of Development), and Paul Kulas (Director of Operations), as well as any other staff member. During normal business hours, a human being still cheerfully answers our office phone, and outside of those hours, you can leave a message and expect a prompt reply!

Recent JFA Outreach Events:

• CA – Feb. 2-4 – San Diego State Univ. (SDSU) & MiraCosta College – San Diego, Oceanside

• TX – Feb. 9-12 – Univ. of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) & Texas State Univ. – San Antonio, San Marcos

• NM – Mar. 2-4 – Univ. of New Mexico (UNM) with Summit Ministries Gap Year – Albuquerque

• MN – Mar. 23-24 – Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities

• CO – Mar. 23-25 – Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

• IN – Apr. 13-14 – Univ. of Indiana, Bloomington

• NE – Apr. 15-16 – Univ. of Nebraska, Kearney

• AR – Apr. 20-22 – Univ. of Arkansas – Fayetteville

• CA – May 18-20 – UCLA – Los Angeles

• Summer 2026: Get equipped for personal conversations through JFA’s online offerings! See the JFA Calendar.  

• See More Recent Events, Pictures, and Stories at the “Quick Look at JFA’s Impact” page.

Ava talks to 18 people...but how?

In this Impact Report we interact with Ava’s volunteer reflection to explain what it takes behind the scenes to help Christians make an impact. We are aiming to train every Christian to begin the dialogue that ends unjust killing of the smallest humans, so I am going to ask you to give a special gift above your normal giving so that we can train more Christians this year. Are you currently supporting the work of a JFA trainer? Please give an extra gift this month to encourage your trainer. Are you currently supporting our Training Program Fund (General Fund) or our Intern Scholarship Fund? Please give an extra gift. Or, join our fundraising efforts by praying that God would bless this challenge. If you have not been giving or want to help in additional ways, we explain how you can help below. Use jfa1.org/may-2026 to share this challenge with friends! [ June update: See JFA’s June letter for an update on the Giving Challenge: jfa1.org/june-2026.]

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

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JFA trainer Andrea (NY hat) listens as Ava (second from right) interacts with a student at UNM). We’re aiming to raise $45,000 in extra support this summer for JFA’s trainers through personal support designations and JFA’s Staff Support Fund (support more than one trainer).

Ava (center) interacts with students at UNM. Your support helps us conduct events in New Mexico and the other regions where we regularly work. We’re actively adding other areas as finances and staffing allow!

In our April Impact Report, we shared short reflections from Summit Ministries’ Gap Year students. But how did that impact come about? Here’s a longer reflection from another Gap Year student, Ava, with some commentary from me about the critical pieces that helped cause the impact in her own life of being able to reach her peers and the impact she saw in their lives:

Ava: On Monday we began our work [at the University of New Mexico (UNM)]. I’m so grateful for how we were trained, because as the students came flooding out of dorms for classes, I felt at ease and comfortable approaching conversations.

Ava’s referring to our Sunday interactive workshop, led by a team of seven JFA trainers conducting small group mentoring for 40 participants. Andrea led Ava’s mentor group. It took hours of work contacting host homes, booking flights, and preparing speaking to help Ava feel “at ease and comfortable” in the hostile campus environment. Your support of JFA trainers and interns makes this possible.

Ava: I started out by walking around the JFA exhibit, reading the free speech board and studying the signs. Almost immediately I found myself in the mix of curious, furious, or confused strangers also looking around. So I turned to one and simply asked, “What do you think about all of this?” This line ended up as my primary first question; it was open ended, friendly, non-confrontational and felt genuine.

The Free Speech Board, signs, and other JFA outreach tools gave Ava a common reference point from which to begin the dialogue that puts an end to the unjust killing of the smallest humans. It’s starting the conversation that we’ve found is the hardest part for most volunteers, so we made sure to do the heavy lifting for Ava by setting up tools that would draw people’s attention. Your support of our Exhibit Research and Development Fund makes it possible for us to provide the best tools that make people want to stop and engage.

Ava: The first person I posed this question to was named Cole. He warmly answered by saying he was pro-choice leaning but didn’t feel comfortable having a say on the subject since it didn’t affect him directly. That propelled a conversation about what dictates who has the right to speak to these issues…I lost count of how many people I had a dialogue with during our time at University of New Mexico, but if I could ballpark it would be 18-25 intentional conversations…

That’s at least 18 conversations that would never have happened in the same way if JFA’s supporters hadn’t given so generously so that we could show up to support Ava in her desire to reach the people at UNM.

Ava: This was a transformative experience because not only did I grow in my heart for babies inside of the womb, but for the human I am facing who disagrees with me. I don’t want to see stereotypes and make assumptions, but ask with sincerity and curiosity to understand the person I am with. I learned a valuable lesson about how to adjust what I say and what cases I make for the pro life position to best serve the individual…At the end of the time with JFA, I had conversations with three people (Asher, Keona, and Jocelyn) that changed their mind on abortion, and the thing that changed each of their minds was vastly different. I say this because I want to remember the importance of not generalizing or thinking there is a one size fits all line to “convert,” but instead to “bait the hook to suit the fish” as Dale Carnegie puts it…I am forever thankful for this priceless experience and what it taught me. I applied for the intern position at JFA and have been talking with the full-time staff about how I can get more involved!

Ava brings her reflection full circle, telling us of the impact on her life, three minds she helped change, the principles she learned in the process, and how she’s hoping to help train others as a JFA intern! Thank you for considering helping us train more Christians like Ava by giving an extra gift to help us meet our summer giving challenge!

– Steve Wagner, Executive Director

"I...would do this every single day."

A few months ago, our Impact Report featured Maya’s story from our 2025 event at UNM in which we partnered with the Gap-Year Program at Summit Ministries (jfaweb.org/dec-2025). We just completed our 2026 event at UNM with Summit. We began training thirty students and eight mentors through a day of interactive workshop (Seat Work), but the training really began to take root and transform each student’s life as we created conversations with students at UNM for the next two days (Feet Work). This Impact Report features reflections from these Summit volunteers.

See more pictures from the event at instagram.com/picturejusticeforall and jfaweb.org/photos. Your gift this month is helping us to train more Christians like these: jfaweb.org/donate.

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

It was truly inspiring to work with students from Summit Ministries in March! They drove from Colorado and participated in our apologetics seminar and then joined us for two days at the University of New Mexico (UNM). These young leaders stood out by stepping forward with courage and initiative, boldly starting conversations with students across campus.

We loved preparing them through interactive role-play exercises to communicate their pro-life worldview clearly, compassionately, and persuasively. We then watched them immediately put that training to work the next two days in genuine, life-changing dialogues. This is precisely what our training is all about: moving beyond the classroom to engage the real world and witnessing the impact of these conversations with your own eyes.

-Jeremy Gorr, for the JFA Team

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Summit Ministries volunteers seek to change hearts and minds at JFA’s UNM Outreach in March 2026.

I felt so prepared by JFA’s training, and I was able to walk into outreach with confidence. I think it is so important that we get this training to as many believers as possible to adequately prepare and equip God’s soldiers to do His work. - Gunner

I feel totally capable to have a conversation with anyone on this topic, even the hostile or nuanced questions. Thorough, easy to understand, and really empowering truly. Thank you for equipping me to live out Proverbs 24:10-15. -Jessica

Oh my goodness gracious! These three days were absolutely incredible! I’ve had a passion about pro-life outreach for quite a while now, and truly getting to do something about it brought me SO MUCH joy! I have an even greater passion now & would do this every single day. I got to have countless fruitful conversations, and I am forever grateful. Praise God & thank y’all so much for this incredible opportunity! -Laci

The Lord truly took away my fear to talk to people about such a hard topic. I found that as time went on I was able to see people as humans and not just a problem and their disagreement as an opportunity rather than a stumbling block or argument to win. The Lord gave me a confidence I haven't had before to discuss abortion/faith, and I am very encouraged to continue to discuss it with people. I realized the importance of listening. -Emmaline

I really learned to be content in revealing (or, at least trying to) Christ the best I could—not to win the argument, but to make them feel heard. I was challenged to push my feelings aside and wholly focus on the person in front of me. It was so good! I had so many influential conversations I don't think I could choose just one to talk about. It was truly so stretching but also so uplifting. -Eliana

I think this experience was impactful to me in many ways. Some being, just realizing how it's not such a big deal to just talk to people about their thoughts and opinions. And I feel like I learned a lot about myself, the way I work in stress, how I come across to people, and it just gave me confidence. I had A LOT of conversations but one that stood out to me was this guy I spoke with on the second day. He practically didn't know anything. So I got to share with him the Pro-life view and share with him the value of life. -Laura

This experience taught me that having heavy conversations with people is easy to do & not intimidating anymore. That I can put all the pressure of proof or knowledge on them & listen & simply ask questions. A really good conversation I had with someone today [was] where I was sharing things and she was sharing her opinion. I didn’t change her mind but I did give her something to think about—with what is a human & what distinguishes us. -Ava

...This outreach [built] my confidence to stand up for what I believe. The seminar prepared me really well for my time during the outreach—I was really amazed by all I could accomplish in such little time! I am SUPER interested in growing my skills in how I should talk to others... This was truly life changing — Thank you so much! -Chelsea

This outreach experience showed me that though people do in fact have diverse opinions and convictions on this subject, they are more than just the arguments which they present and are whole people with life experiences and reasons behind the ways in which they think and behave. Being thrown into the deep end in conversations and interactions forced me to not only use the methods that I practiced on Sunday morning training but to also know what and why I believe what I do, which was a valuable exercise. -Matthew

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Personally Pro-Life

Impact Report, February 2026

Martha Depew began as an intern with JFA in July 2025 and is continuing her internship this spring. In this Impact report, Martha gives a window into her work through one special conversation she had recently, and she shares a principle that is helpful to all Christians as they seek to change hearts and minds. In addition, the tools Martha used here to help Becky are not hard to learn, and they can make a big difference for people who characterize themselves as “personally pro-life” and don’t want to “push their views” on other people through the law. Following Martha’s reflection, please take note of the partial list of recent and upcoming outreach events. Thank you for your support of our work through prayer and giving.

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

University of Kansas (Sept. 2025)

During my internship I have had many amazing opportunities to conduct outreach and help with Justice For All’s interactive workshops in Colorado, Arkansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas.

I’ve also spent time learning to give sections of our training and furthering my knowledge of the abortion issue.

I wanted to share a conversation I had at Colorado State University that was such a great reminder to me of how God might use one person to plant a seed and another person to water it.

University of Missouri in Kansas City (Sept. 2025)

I asked a student I’ll call “Becky” what she thought of our display. She explained she had actually talked with one of our volunteers the previous day. She said that prior to that conversation she had been pro-choice, but at its conclusion she had significantly shifted her position to being “personally pro-life.” She meant that she was morally opposed to abortion, but felt uncomfortable saying that it should be illegal for others. I began by empathizing with her concern. I agreed with her that there are certain things to which I am morally opposed, but which I still think should be legal. For example, I said that while I believe that it is morally wrong to take God’s name in vain, I think the U.S. government would be overstepping if it started arresting people for this. After finding common ground with Becky, I then moved on to gently challenge her position. I pointed out that while there are some things we both agree the government should not regulate, there are other things in which the goverment has a duty to intervene, such as when an innocent person is being threatened with harm. We brought up various examples and discussed when the government should and shouldn’t intervene and into which category the abortion issue falls. At one point in our conversation I brought up the example of slavery. I helped Becky see the parallel to someone who said a similar thing about slavery when it was legal: “I am personally against slavery, but I don’t want to ‘force’ my view on others by saying it’s wrong for my neighbor to own slaves.” (I was very careful in framing this so that Becky would not feel like I was accusing her of anything, but instead simply drawing out the flaw in her way of thinking through an analogy.) Becky seemed struck by my analogy and was honest enough to admit the sense in it. I also used the example of being morally and personally against child abuse but not wanting to “impose” that view on others.

Becky had already become convinced the day before that abortion hurts an innocent child, so at this point in the conversation she had to admit that she agreed with me. Yet, I could tell that there was still something stopping her from fully shifting from only personally thinking that abortion is bad to thinking it should be illegal for other people. We had been talking for a while and built a lot of rapport, so I felt that I could be pretty direct with her. I asked her if the reason that she couldn’t bring herself to become fully pro-life was because she was scared to hold such an unpopular opinion. Becky frankly admitted that this was how she felt. It is an understandable fear because holding the opinion that abortion should be illegal, especially at a secular university, would practically guarantee losing friends. For someone like Becky who had probably grown up with the idea that being pro‑choice was essentially tantamount to being a compassionate, reasonable person who cares about human rights, it’s so difficult and requires a lot of bravery to recognize the truth about the humanity of the unborn. I was honestly impressed that she was even willing to consider something that would push her so far out of her comfort zone and belief system. At the close of our conversation I encouraged Becky that if she truly believed that abortion takes an innocent life then she must take a stand in defending unborn children, even if it is unpopular. Becky concluded by saying that she needed to think about it all more, but she seemed pretty convicted.

At Justice For All we talk about planting a seed, but this was the first time that I got to see so clearly firsthand how each conversation can be one step in someone’s journey. Because our volunteer had covered so much ground with her the day before, I was able to focus more specifically on helping her see that if abortion ends an innocent life, then it is not a subjective matter that should be left up to each person to decide, but an objective injustice against which we must take a stand. I’m so grateful that God allowed me to witness the growth in Becky.

Martha Depew, for the JFA Team

“Everything Is Relational”

Impact Report, January 2026

In this Impact Report, we pause to give (much overdue) thanks to God for one of our dear friends, Tammy Cook, who retired from 28 years of employment with JFA in fall of 2024. Tammy continues to serve JFA in volunteer roles behind the scenes. Throughout her time working for JFA, Tammy and I had many conversations about how we should approach dialogue with those who disagree. I remember her saying, almost as a way of summarizing all she had learned through thousands of conversations: “Everything is relational.” With this Impact Report I wanted to honor Tammy’s work and God’s work through her while also explaining this statement a bit, because it provides important counsel for all of us seeking to change hearts and save lives. See also Tammy’s own retrospective on her years with JFA in her farewell letter (“Passing the Baton” - jfaweb.org/tammy-farewell.

Steve Wagner, Executive Director

“Everything Is Relational” — A Tribute to Tammy Cook

Tammy talks to a student at the University of Kansas (KU) in 2016.

Tammy Cook was standing in front of the JFA Exhibit in Colorado in 2004 and asked a student passing by what she thought about our Exhibit. The student, visibly shaken, said, “What do you think I think? I’ve had three of these [abortions].” Tammy’s response at that moment could make or break the conversation. She softened her facial expression, showing compassion and concern for this young woman, Christina. She continued weaving compassion into the rest of their interaction. Tammy listened to her story and walked with her to the local pregnancy center table set up nearby (at JFA’s request). Tammy waited with Christina and introduced her to the director of the center once she was available. Then they parted, and Tammy trusted God to care for her. The next day Christina returned looking so happy she was almost unrecognizable. She explained that she had decided to participate in a post-abortion healing Bible study and return to her Christian faith. She hugged Tammy and said, “Thank you for giving me my life back.”

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Tammy and other JFA team members came to Kansas State (K-State) in 2005. In November 2025, Tammy returned to K-State with our team, this time as a volunteer (pictured here).

What was the key component in this interaction? Tammy realized the key to reaching Christina’s heart was to be relational. She emphasized love and sensitivity without compromising truth. She was compassionate about Christina’s feelings and circumstances. This allowed Christina to reckon with truth that would then set her free.

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Just as Tammy’s conversation cast this shadow on our Free Speech Board (left), Tammy’s impact over so many years has and will continue to make its mark on our team and volunteers.

Tammy shared many stories like this over the years in our debrief sessions and in newsletters. (Read many of Tammy’s letters at jfaweb.org/tammy-cook). We were often amazed at the impact she reported, and she always gave the glory to God, but she would also say she had learned a most important lesson about how to reach people’s hearts and their minds. Even though Tammy had mastered the intellectual facts, information, and arguments through long hours on campus and on the road debriefing with our team – she was always learning – she had found that one thing was more transformational than any intellectual argument. She would later sum up the lesson with the words, “Everything is relational.”

See Tammy’s final letter, “Passing the Baton,” (below) to read her reflections and see more pictures from her decades-long tenure with JFA. You can find it at jfaweb.org/tammy-farewell.

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What Tammy meant is this: When seeking to persuade people, we have to focus first and foremost on understanding the other person, on showing concern and compassion for the person’s feelings, emotions, and circumstances. We need to find the person’s “why.” Being relational means listening to her story, seeking common ground, and taking her seriously as an intrinsically valuable person, even if she never changes her mind. This is essential not just when people defend abortion with statements that have an obvious emotional component, such as rape or life-endangering pregnancy complications. It’s essential in every conversation about any argument for abortion. I think Tammy would respond with a chuckle, “It’s essential in every conversation about anything.”

Tammy isn’t implying being intellectual is unimportant. Tammy is trying to make sure you reach the heart of the person with whom you’re speaking so your arguments and reasons can have their proper effect. When does Tammy think we should do this relational work in the conversation? At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. After re-reading her writing on this recently, here’s how I summarized her approach:

Be relational, and patiently continue to be relational even longer than you thought necessary, then be intellectual, but make sure to continue to be relational even while being intellectual.

This may represent only a small tweak to the approach you’ve used in the past. Yes, make arguments and respond with intellectually sound answers. But all the while, make relating to the person your greater priority because sometimes that relating is what makes the greater impact.

As a pro-life advocate just starting out in my mid-twenties, I cut my teeth at Justice For All outreach events. Just as it was for Tammy, these regular outreach engagements changed me from being focused mainly on the arguments and helped me to see how important it is to be relational even while being intellectual. (See jfaweb.org/RI to explore the “relational and intellectual” approach Tammy helped JFA develop.)

These outreach engagements that made such a big difference in my development as a pro-life advocate and Christian ambassador would never have happened at all, though, if it hadn’t been for Tammy’s work behind the scenes. God worked amazing logistical miracles in large part through Tammy’s efforts in

those days as she helped create the road system we still use decades later, with our staff and volunteers still aiming to eat meals with families and sleep in host homes rather than going to restaurants and purchasing hotel rooms. That road system has enabled us to have vibrant connections with pro-life advocates all over the country while also making the most of supporter dollars. It’s great, but it takes a lot of time and energy to make all those connections.

Tammy was one of JFA’s chief connections officers, spending long hours before, during, and after trips. For example, twice each year we would train 88 students from Focus on the Family Institute (later Focus Leadership Institute) for three days, and JFA shouldered the burden of finding a bed and a breakfast for each of those students in local homes near our campus outreach in four different Colorado cities on a two-year rotation cycle. Well, actually, Tammy shouldered much of that burden, and she loved every minute of it. For the better part of a decade during our tenure at the Institute, Tammy loved connecting with each host and student, getting to know each one, and making sure the students’ basic needs were taken care of so that they could make the most of the life-changing training they got to experience for two days during the JFA campus outreach event.

Back in the JFA office in between trips to Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, and other states, Tammy served at various times as HR Director, Secretary of the Corporation, Regional Team Lead for Wichita, and she also served as advisor to JFA’s founder, David Lee. She hosted a number of JFA’s interns in her home over the years, as well as many JFA staff meetings. Although short in stature, this spunky woman filled the room with her bright smile and joyful laughter. She often reminded the team we needed to not just do serious work, but also have fun together. As a member of a small team, she did many other jobs that needed to be done, including raising her own support team that was faithful through almost three decades. (Thank you!) Tammy did all of this while also parenting three children with her husband and chief supporter, Kevin.

Tammy’s favorite JFA work, however, was seeking to change hearts and minds about abortion. She loved speaking in our seminars and talking with pro-choice students on campus, and probably more than anything else, she loved training up the next generation of pro-life advocates as a mentor in our “Seat Work and Feet Work” program, beginning in our seminars in interactive small groups and moving out to our campus outreach events where she would model our training in real-time for the students and then give them support and encouragement as they followed in her footsteps. Many of those beautiful moments of training were only possible, though, because Tammy was willing to sustain brutal physical stress. I have many memories of our team putting in very late nights searching for a host home address with only the help of a myriad of MapQuest printouts Tammy had kindly placed in folders for each vehicle. (Yes, there was a time very few people had GPS!) I remember many meetings with supporters, very early mornings setting up campus outreach exhibits, and long outreach days in the bitter cold or the bright, hot sun. Tammy and our team weathered wind, rain, and even snow. Tammy maintained a joyful spirit through it all, for she loved the people we trained and the people whose minds and hearts we sought to change.

Finally, I must mention one other strength Tammy brought to our work. She trusted God implicitly, even through health challenges and other roadblocks she and our team experienced. She placed her faith well, and I believe God was pleased to work through that faith in many instances.

In early November, Tammy made the drive from Wichita to Manhattan to join our team for an outreach event at Kansas State University. We joked that now she would need to sign a volunteer agreement … for the first time in thirty years! I watched as Tammy eagerly stationed herself near the exhibit and began engaging students in conversation. A master was back at the work again. I even was able to snap a special picture of our free speech board with Tammy’s silhouette without disrupting her conversation. What a special momento!

Thank you, Tammy, for all of your work over the years. We miss you in the daily work here at JFA, but our team and supporters are praying for you as you continue to serve Jesus in a well-deserved retirement!

Everyone Needs This Training

Impact Report, Dec. 2025

During this Advent and Christmas season, as we think about the Son of God taking on flesh in order to save the world, we pause and thank God. We pray you are able to pause with us to worship our great God.

In this Impact Report, I share the story of two eager pro-life advocates, Maya and Matthew. Both joined me in a special conversation that took place at the University of New Mexico (UNM) when we partnered with the Summit Ministries Gap-Year Program to conduct outreach there in March. Maya, a Summit student, made a special impact in this conversation where Matthew didn’t, and that was in part because of the special gifting she has from God and in part because of Summit’s priority on providing JFA’s training for their students. There’s still time to give a special year-end gift to help us train more Christians like Maya in the coming year. Please consider giving a generous gift today at jfaweb.org/donate.

Steve Wagner, Executive Director

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I think the conversation lasted for about three hours.  It all began when a student stopped to talk at our intern Alora and my daughter Elsie who were stationed near our poll table at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in March.  The young man with a skateboard wanted to know why they were hurting women.  So I spoke up and said, “I’m the Director of the organization, so I’m happy to talk to you.”  Well, based on what followed, I’m not sure he was happy to talk to me.  He proceeded to tell me what I believed and all about views I held...that I don’t actually hold.  When I attempted to answer a question he asked, I barely had three words out before he would cut me off.  It was ugly.

At University of New Mexico (UNM) in early March, a crowd formed as Steve (center right) engaged a heated skateboarder in dialogue.

I was in my element, though.  A crowd began to form, made up of JFA volunteers and UNM passersby.  Soon a shorter female student with bright pink hair stepped up and said she wanted a turn.  Evidently I was either a sounding board or a punching bag for each of these students to share their thoughts.  I carefully listened, and I worked hard to live out the tools we had been training our volunteers to exemplify: listening to understand, asking questions with an open heart, and finding common ground when possible.

Soon a student named Kayla confidently joined the conversation, and the large crowd continued to listen for awhile before our volunteers did what I had hoped they would do – turn to their neighbors and ask what they thought.  Kayla and I and a few others ended up in a smaller circle continuing to dialogue. 

That’s when a UNM student I’ll call Matthew joined our conversation.  Matthew was very intelligent, very conservative, and very confident.  If I remember correctly, he also said he was a Christian.  As I listened to the conversation between Kayla and Matthew, I became concerned.  When Kayla mentioned women who were raped, Matthew quickly pointed out that only 1.5% of abortions happen due to rape.  I don’t remember each of the next exchanges, but they all followed a familiar pattern: Kayla would share something about the plight of women, and Matthew would give an intellectual response to show how her point didn’t justify abortion. Kayla was getting more and more agitated, and her anger and annoyance were palpable. Matthew was unfazed.

A student named Maya had joined our circle and motioned that she wanted to tell me something. “I don’t think the way he’s doing this is very good. I think he should use a different approach.” Maya said this humbly, with a spirit of concern for Kayla and not an intent to criticize. Maya was serving as a volunteer on our mission outreach team, along with about 40 other students and faculty from the incredible Summit Ministries Gap Year program. (Cheryl Kaye Davis, who served on JFA’s training team from 2012-2016, helps direct this program and helped arrange our partnership.)

Maya (center left) and Steve (center right) talk to Kayla (hidden) and other students at UNM.

I knew Maya had had some difficulty creating conversation that day. Although she is incredibly sharp, Maya has a disability that means it takes her a little longer than most to get her words out, and she is also shy. What I said next was a gamble, given the high intensity of Kayla and other pro-choice people in the circle. They really seemed to be coming to the end of their patience. I trusted Maya, though, and even more importantly, I trusted that God would help her. I whispered, “I think you should say what you are thinking to Kayla. Would you like to?” Maya looked at me a little surprised, but I could tell she was also eager.

When there was a break in the back-and-forth debate responses from Matthew, I said, “Kayla, this is my friend Maya. She wanted to say something.” And Maya began. It took her awhile to get her first question out. Kayla listened intently, and I could tell she was rooting along with me for this young woman that many people would say was not going to be the best advocate because she speaks slowly and needs the listener to attend more carefully than usual. Maya asked a question that was right on point, but it was filled with understanding and calm kindness. She was being relational while also being intellectual. She was seeking to understand by asking for clarification. I only wish I could remember the exact words so I could replay them here for you. They were beautiful.

Maya (center left) and another Summit student named Luke (center right) conduct a survey at our UNM event. See below for more pictures from this and other recent events.

Kayla and Maya proceeded to interact for the next many minutes, and Maya accomplished what I had been unable to, and what Matthew seems not to have attempted: a personal connection with Kayla. Yet Maya did not accomplish this by setting aside the truth. She was beautifully weaving concern for the truth with concern for Kayla as a person, someone worth loving and challenging. I could tell Kayla was receiving Maya’s gift.

I felt privileged to watch our training bloom and flower in Maya’s life. As I reflected later, it struck me: Every Christian needs this training. There was only a small difference between Matthew and Maya. Both had zeal and concern for God and the truth and justice for small humans, but Maya had the additional benefit of Summit’s excellent faculty and curriculum along with JFA materials, interactive exercises, and mentoring. (To learn more about Summit, please see summit.org.)

Please consider giving a generous year-end gift to help our team as we work to bring this training to every Christian (jfaweb.org/donate), especially through partnerships with like-minded organizations like Summit. We are eager to help every Christian learn to use the simple skills that can transform their well-meaning debates into dialogue that changes hearts and saves lives, both the physical lives of the unborn and the spiritual lives of people like Kayla.

– Steve Wagner, for the JFA Team

Note: Please also read Maya’s beautiful reflection on this conversation below.

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“No Excuses” - A JFA Volunteer Reflection by Maya

The UNM experience was unique for me because it wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t there for the first part of the conversation with Kayla, and I probably wouldn’t have been there for the second half of it if it hadn’t been the Lord’s timing. Ironically, that particular day started off feeling like a failure. I remember being on campus wanting to start a conversation once the people were flooding in. Every time a person approached, I chickened out because I felt inadequate. I kept thinking oh, I should let my well-spoken friends speak to them because they would get it out more confidently.

Before JFA and Summit training, my thought process was that it was only the really strong conversationalists that can explain to people why the pro-life position matters. The JFA team loosened that idea for me but it was still ingrained into me. So I just listened to all the conversations because I still thought it was important to hear the other side. The crowd had died down to a couple of people around 11:30, so I ate lunch around that time.

Then a friend of mine (her name was Franziska) and I decided to go around the campus asking people questions about abortion. I let her do most of the speaking. My friend encouraged me to speak up, but, in the back of my mind, I had already decided that I wasn’t someone who needed to be heard. I hated that I hesitated, but the doubt was so heavy that I couldn’t push past it. Franziska and I did this for a while, and we weren’t making progress with many people, so we decided to go back to the display earlier than expected. On the way back I remember being really disappointed.

By the time we had walked back, all I could see was Mr. Wagner engulfed by a large crowd. Curious, I came up closer, and he was engaged in a conversation with Kayla. Then a man who was not with our group came into the conversation. The man was a Christian and a Republican. He and Kayla were getting into a heated discussion about rape and abortion. This man was incredibly intelligent, and I could see that this topic meant a lot to him. However I was paying more attention to Kayla. I was listening intently to hear what Kayla had to say and see where she was coming from. I could see she was breaking with every point she was trying to communicate to the guy because she was trying to make the guy see why it mattered to her. At that moment, I realized that she was just as scared as I was. All I felt was empathy for her.

At that moment I just drifted off to the side to think. Mr. Wagner was there, and I just said what I was thinking. “I don’t think his approach is very good. I think there should be a different approach.” Mr. Wagner’s next words shocked me. He asked me if I wanted to say what I was thinking to Kayla. Internally I was screaming, “No, no, no! Say no. I’m not the one you need.” Then out of the corner of my eye I saw Kayla, and I don't know why, but I automatically said, “Yes.” I fumbled through the conversation badly. But somehow I was able to get through to her. I think she could sense I was scared to death, and we were both rooting for each other. I listened to her, and she was listening to me. I thought it was a very fruitful conversation.

As I think back on the experience, it reminds me of the story of Moses. Moses gave all sorts of excuses and begged God to choose someone else. In the end, the excuses didn’t matter because we serve a mighty God who can handle our inadequacies. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is only in God that I was able to say Yes in a situation where I would’ve said No.

– Maya, Summit Ministries Gap-Year Participant and JFA Volunteer

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See More Recent Event Photos AND POSTS…

...On Flickr (click image)

...On Instagram (click image)

...On JFA's "Quick Look" Page

More Conversation Stories From RECENT EVENTS

• This Conversation Has Really Opened My Eyes

• I’ve Never Heard that Perspective Before

• Putting a Face on Abortion

• Which Path: Equality or Inequality?

“Thankful for…Lifelong Skills”

Impact Report, Nov. 2025

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to thank God for each of you who partner with JFA by supporting JFA financially, praying faithfully for our outreach events, using our training in your everyday life, hosting our teams in the field, or sharing our training with others.

In this Impact Report, JFA volunteer Isabella gives us an amazing inside look at JFA’s training program, including both Seat Work and Feet Work. Thank you for helping us train Isabella so that she could make an impact in these past few months and now also throughout her life! Thank you for partnering with us as we train Christians like Isabella to advocate for unborn children and the Christian worldview. Would you take a moment and consider giving a generous year-end gift so we can reach more people?

Isabella (facing camera) uses JFA’s kiosk, poll table, and brochure to engage a student in dialogue at Grossmont College near San Diego, California in October 2025.

Steve Wagner, Executive Director

Isabella (right) interacts with students at Cal State University San Marcos in Nov. 2025. Find more pictures from recent events at www.jfaweb.org/photos.

“I have volunteered in pro-life pregnancy centers where I have been able to love the unborn and their mothers through patient care. However, Justice For All has been an incredible blessing in training me how to love the third person involved in abortion conversations – the person who disagrees with me. It can be intimidating in today’s climate to know exactly how to speak the truth about abortion.

I had the passion and eagerness to speak about this topic, but I did not have the practical skills and information needed before JFA to be an equipped ambassador of Christ. Their training really emphasizes commitment to truth – that the unborn are human beings to be protected – in loving dialogue. They prepared me with the important knowledge behind common abortion discussion points, and skills to both listen, care, and respectfully challenge those I am dialoguing with. Their extensive training was interactive, so I was able to practice sharing truth and being challenged.

When I joined the college campus outreach, I was a bit nervous. However, after watching the dialogue between students and JFA staff, I saw how well the training prepared me for these conversations. I went into conversations with students who disagreed with my stance on abortion. Without JFA, I probably would have been busy worrying about my next response to theirs. But with the training, I was able to truly listen and ask questions to better understand their point, and it naturally allowed moments where I could respectfully challenge their perspective. I learned that many times, the people who differed had their own painful experiences I could have compassion towards, and a lot of common ground we could relate to, without compromising on defending the unborn. Many of the conversations were fruitful and even led to discussions about the Gospel. I am so thankful for this experience and the lifelong skills I now have in sharing the truth in love.”

– Isabella, JFA Volunteer

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JFA intern Martha (center) and JFA volunteers talk with Kansas State University students in early November.

Recent Outreach Events

9/10 University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)

Jeremy Gorr and Susanna Dirks dialogue with students at Univ. of Missouri - Kansas City in early November.

9/15-16 Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

9/22-24 Colorado State Univ. (Fort Collins, CO)

10/7 Quincy University (Quincy, IL)

10/13 UCSD (San Diego, CA)

10/13 Gannon University (Erie, PA)

10/14-15 Grossmont College (El Cajon, CA)

11/3-5 Kansas State Univ. (Manhattan, KS)

11/3-4 Univ. of Missouri Kansas City (MO)

11/17-20 UT San Antonio & Texas State (TX)

11/18-20 Univ. of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)

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Conversation Excerpt: Andrea Thenhaus

I asked Tim when he believed life began scientifically speaking. He was not sure, so I shared what biology teaches on this question. We discussed the fact that life begins at conception and that the unborn is a living human being that is growing and developing over time.

Tim: Wow! That makes sense. That cleared up a lot of things for me. I am on the fence with this issue. I can see both sides of the argument. I now see that the unborn is a human being, but some women are in challenging situations.

We found common ground about how important it is to care for women in difficult circumstances. Then I asked Tim if he was open to seeing images of abortion, and he said yes.

Tim: Wow. That is horrible.

Andrea: I agree. Do you think abortion is a medical procedure or does an abortion take a life?

Tim: I would say both. Abortion is taking a life, but it is also a medical procedure.

Andrea: Well the purpose of a medical procedure is to promote life, like heart surgery or removing a tumor. Abortion takes a human life.

Tim: That is true. I think women should have a choice, but I am realizing that a woman should not have the choice to kill her unborn baby.

It was energizing to be on campus that day as I spoke with many...open-minded pro-choice students. While there is so much darkness in the world, God is moving.

Note: See jfaweb.org/blog for the rest of the story above (“A Charge to Continue”) and more stories from recent events, including these:

• This Conversation Has Really Opened My Eyes

• I’ve Never Heard that Perspective Before

• Putting a Face on Abortion

• Which Path: Equality or Inequality?

"That's a Baby!"

Recent Event Reflection

I started a conversation with a man named Ocean at Colorado State University (Sept. 2025) by asking his thoughts on abortion. He said he wasn’t sure, having gone back and forth on the issue, but he currently leaned more pro-choice. He mentioned that his mom had him at 15 and that he sometimes wished she had aborted him. I felt terrible hearing this and couldn’t imagine what he has experienced to feel that way. Later, he shared that he struggles with depression. I told him I was glad he is here and that his mom didn’t abort him, and I expressed sincere sympathy for his struggle with depression. I think part of Ocean’s difficulty in recognizing the value of the unborn came from not recognizing his own worth. We discussed various aspects of the issue, but the breakthrough came when I showed him pictures of human development. He was shocked—pointing to the six-week embryo and exclaiming, “That’s a baby!” By the end of our talk, Ocean said he was “more pro-life now.”

– Martha Depew, JFA Intern

Note: See jfaweb.org/oct-2025-andrea for another recent campus story by Andrea Thenhaus (“A Charge to Continue”).

Recent Events in Pictures and Numbers

Our team conducted outreach on busy Library Walk at Univ. of California at San Diego (UCSD) on October 13. (Image signs are not shown here.) In September and October, JFA trainers conducted outreach during 15 days on 9 campuses in 7 states.

Kristina spoke to an all-school assembly at a high school in Illinois on October 7. JFA trainers also conducted 11 interactive workshops in 7 states in September & October.

Martha and Andrea display two approaches to rain-readiness during our Colorado State University outreach in September. The rain led to splitting our team between outdoor and indoor locations, leading to even more conversations!

Pray for Upcoming Outreach Events

11/3-5 Kansas State Univ. (Manhattan, KS)

11/3-4 Univ. of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC)

11/17-18 Univ. of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA)

11/19-20 Texas State Univ. (San Marcos, TX)

11/18-20 Univ. of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)

• See Upcoming Training Events: jfaweb.org/calendar

• Love3 Online Interactive Events: jfaweb.org/love3

• See Recent Events: jfaweb.org/impact-quick-look

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JFA Continues Campus Work in the Midst of Tumultuous Year

““When people stop talking, really bad stuff starts. When marriages stop talking, divorce happens. When civilizations stop talking, civil war ensues. When you stop having a human connection with someone you disagree with, it becomes a lot easier to want to commit violence against that group. What we as a culture have to get back to is being able to have reasonable disagreement – where violence is not an option.””

— Charlie Kirk

You may be wondering how our team is doing in the midst of a tumultuous year where we’ve seen more vandalism than in previous years and where we’ve watched, along with you, a shocking succession of murders unfold over the past few weeks, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the midst of a college campus free speech event. Our team gathered that night to pray for Charlie’s family, for college students, for protection over our work that likewise seeks to create dialogue with those who disagree, and to entrust ourselves to God.

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JFA Intern Martha (left) creates dialogue at University of Kansas on September 10, 2025.

Our team continues to be eager to engage on campus and reports that our recent events (see below) have been very busy and active, with many people stopping and willing to engage. Our trainer Jeremy Gorr shared a quote from Charlie Kirk (right) at our online Love3 training event shortly after the murder. I think it captures an important part of why we do our work.

I also want you to read an excellent reflection from JFA’s Director of Community Engagement, Jon Wagner. You can read an excerpt below or read the whole reflection by clicking here. Thank you for praying for us and for supporting JFA’s work financially. We can’t do this without you.

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“Prayer and Encouragement in the Midst of Grieving” (Excerpt)

Jon Wagner, JFA Director of Community Engagement

I’ll always remember where I was when I heard of the shot that took Charlie Kirk’s life at Utah Valley University. In between phone calls for setting up Justice For All speaking and outreach events, I was dropping off donations for our local pregnancy help ministry when one of the staff members alerted me...

As I reflected, I thought of the tens of thousands of people who have engaged our JFA team in dialogue or observed our displays. I am praying they each have a caring friend to process with during this trying time. I am praying they are encountering Christ and flourishing. I pray for our many thousands of seminar trainees, presentation participants, and volunteers to maximize their impact during this critical time – that now more than ever they would heed James 1:19 and be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger...

“My prayer is that this horrific injustice, this critical cultural moment would open doors for dialogue, forgiveness, and understanding in our communities, especially with those who oppose us most firmly. ”

— Jon Wagner, JFA Director of Community Engagement

Even as some opponents of Charlie publicly praised the horrific act, most condemned it as evil. Pro-life and pro-choice, conservative and liberal, various political parties united against this horrific act against a man and organization...

How do we grieve in a godly manner? I suggest we should refrain from either immortalizing or demonizing Kirk. Kirk himself would want us to focus on Christ rather than himself. Even most of Kirk’s opponents refuse to demonize him. Instead, can we unite against violence, unite for free speech, and unite in seeing the image of God in each other? Let us resolve to dialogue with, respect, and befriend others even if we don’t agree...

Kirk prioritized those with whom he disagreed, listened carefully, and stayed on point. He countered ideas much more than people. He was an earnest defender of the preborn... He challenged bad thinking, challenged young men, shared his faith in Christ unapologetically, and engaged culture.

Did you agree with much of Charlie’s worldview? You have an opportunity to grieve with those who are likeminded, but you also have an opportunity to love those who are confused that a person they despised is being celebrated – by hearing their concerns and committing to healthy dialogue. Did you disagree with much of Kirk’s worldview, strategies, or his event optics? You have an opportunity to unite in grief and prayer for Charlie’s family and friends, to affirm the importance of free speech, to unite against violence, and to also commit to listening to those with whom you disagree...

Read Jon’s Entire Reflection, including specific prayers by clicking here.

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Recent and Upcoming Events

8/26-27 Surveys at CO Colleges (Various, CO)

9/10 University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)

9/11 Univ. of Missouri at Kansas City (MO)

9/15-16 Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

9/22-24 Colorado State Univ. (Fort Collins)

10/13 UCSD (San Diego, CA)

10/14-15 Grossmont College (El Cajon, CA)

11/3-4 Kansas State Univ. (Manhattan, KS)

More Upcoming Events and Details: jfaweb.org/calendar

More Recent Events: jfaweb.org/impact-quick-look

“I’ve Never Heard that Perspective Before.”

Impact Report, July 2025

In this Impact Report, Kaitlyn Donihue shares a conversation she had in April at our first-ever outreach on the University of Wyoming campus. Kaitlyn’s conversation with “Ian” illustrates what’s typical of many pro-choice people we encounter, that they are open-minded and ready to think about the case against abortion, especially if it is clearly articulated. This is why we’re eager for every Christian to participate in JFA’s “Seat Work and Feet Work” training program. We could change more minds if more of us were trained to do what Kaitlyn made look effortless here: ask good questions and give reasons that are easy to understand. Thanks for partnering with us to help us bring this training to hundreds more in 2025!

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

Many of us hear hostile and extreme pro-choice perspectives in the media and assume that all pro-choice people are equally hostile and extreme. In reality, many pro-choice people are not hostile or extreme at all. Many are open to conversations. Many are even persuadable. As I found in one conversation recently, many have never heard a clear, reasonable articulation of the pro-life view, and if they did hear it, they might be willing to rethink their own position.

In April our team was at the University of Wyoming talking to students. It was cold and windy, but we still had many wonderful conversations. I was standing by one of our signs that shows images of unborn children at different stages of development when “Ian” walked up. I struck up a conversation with him, and it went something like the following:

Kaitlyn (right) interacts with a student during JFA’s Univ. of Wyoming outreach.

Kaitlyn: Do you have thoughts on this issue?

Ian: Yeah, everybody does.

Kaitlyn: That’s so true. What are your thoughts?

Ian: I don’t think the government should have a say in healthcare.

Kaitlyn: I’m definitely hearing you. Healthcare is really important, and our rights to get the healthcare we need are important. Do you think abortion should be legal for all nine months of pregnancy or just a window of time?

Ian: It’s really complicated, and there’s a lot more than just timing to consider.

Kaitlyn: I agree that it’s complicated. It’s a tough issue for sure.

Ian: Yeah.

Kaitlyn: Do you think the unborn is a human being at any point in pregnancy?

Ian: I don’t know. I haven’t really looked into the science.

Kristine (left) creates dialogue at JFA’s Univ. of Wyoming outreach.

Kaitlyn: Would you be open if I share my understanding of what biology teaches?

Ian: Sure, go ahead.

During JFA’s Wyoming seminar, Jeremy (left) and Kaitlyn (center) illustrated with a dramatic dialogue the tool Kristine (right) was teaching.

““If the unborn are human beings, do you think we should protect them?””

— Kaitlyn Donihue

Kaitlyn: According to biology, there are three characteristics of living things. Living things grow through cellular reproduction, metabolize food for energy, and respond to stimuli. We know something is alive if it is doing all of those things. The unborn is doing all of those things at every stage of development so we know they are alive. We also know they are human because they have human DNA. As soon as sperm and egg come together, both cease to exist and a new genetically distinct human organism comes into existence. That human organism is different from us in the same way an infant is different from us. An infant is less developed than you and me but we would never say she is less human. In the same way, the unborn are less developed, but according to embryologists they are full human organisms just like you and me. What are your thoughts on that?

Ian: I’ve never really heard that perspective before. That’s interesting.

Kaitlyn: If the unborn are human beings, do you think we should protect them?

Ian: Yeah, I believe every human has value and deserves protection. I’ve just never looked into the biology before.

Our staff and volunteers enjoyed creating numerous conversations at the University of Wyoming.

We talked a little more before Ian had to leave, but his comment that he had never heard the pro-life perspective laid out that way was a good reminder. As pro-life people, its easy to assume that people who reject our perspective at least understand it. Many reject it, however, because they don’t understand it. When we take the time to share it with them, they might be willing to think about it and even one day embrace it themselves. This is true of the abortion issue and the gospel. This is why conversations are so important and often so life-changing.

Thank you for supporting our work and helping to make these kinds of conversations possible!

How Feet Work Changed Four Volunteers

Impact Report, June 2025

A fishing seminar without casting a line into the water? A dialogue seminar without talking to people who disagree? Ever since David Lee, the founder of Justice For All (JFA), started talking about this in the early 2000’s (at least to me), it has been a deeply-held value at JFA to see that the training a seminar can accomplish (even a very interactive one like JFA’s) is incomplete without the step of putting things into practice in a real-life experience. In this Impact Report, Rebekah Dyer illustrates how important it is for every person we train to experience more than just a protected seminar environment (Seat Work). They also need practice in real-life conversations (Feet Work). Thanks for helping our team give volunteers “Feet Work” experiences that change their lives...and help them change the lives of others.

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

An integral part of my work with JFA is helping others engage their world in dialogue about abortion. Recently, several friends and other locals have joined me as volunteers on campus. While many of our volunteers attend an Abortion: From Debate to Dialogue seminar (Seat Work) before volunteering on campus (Feet Work), these four California volunteers joined us for outreach first, and the seminar then provided additional training before venturing out on campus a second or third time. Whatever the order, we’ve found that both the Seat Work and Feet Work are important to helping people develop as Christ’s ambassadors. These four shared these reflections:

Jennifer

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Jennifer (left) and Karen (right) interact with students at Cal State San Marcos in April 2025.

I’m so glad to have been introduced to Justice For All a little over a year ago. The JFA training is incredibly effective, and campus outreach opportunities have provided valuable times to implement the training in practice... One of the most encouraging conversations I’ve had was with a student I’ll call Tim. Tim believed that abortion should remain legal and was a woman’s choice. He agreed the unborn was a human being but denied it was a person. After taking Tim through the equal rights argument, he sat in silence a while, thinking. He would start to say something, then stop as if catching himself, then begin again, then stop and process some more. Finally, he confessed that he had never had a case made for the unborn in that way. Tim told me that he had a whole new outlook on the situation now and that this changed everything for him.

Colleen

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Rebekah (center) and Colleen (right) engage two students at MiraCosta College in March 2025.

In my experience on the college campus with Rebekah I was asked one question more than any other… “Why are you here, why are you doing this?” Often times it came with a tone of dissension. Why was I there? I was there because I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless! I believe entering into honest, graceful dialogue with those who have opposing viewpoints will begin to open up truth into a social narrative that has silenced truth. College campuses are filled with diverse worldviews, and many young minds prioritize autonomy over reason. “It’s my body, my choice” rings loudly in the common square, yet disregards innocent body within her own. Even amid resistance, moments of genuine connection emerged. I interacted with students who paused to listen, asked sincere questions, and even admitted they had never considered the humanity of the unborn in such personal terms. These moments of mutual respect and curiosity reminded me that hearts can be stirred, even in hard soil.

Karen

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Karen talks to a student at San Diego State University (SDSU) in March 2025.

The first time I stepped onto campus with JFA, I was incredibly nervous. I only managed to speak with one student, and he was already pro-life, which made my interaction with him feel safe and manageable. I spent most of the day observing the JFA staff and more experienced volunteers. Watching them listen with compassion and ask thoughtful, respectful questions was both inspiring and educational. By my second outreach, I felt more courageous… Thanks to JFA’s training, I knew how to ask good questions and search for common ground by listening with an open heart. As I got into a rhythm and stopped overthinking things, I found it easier to connect. My third visit to campus was especially memorable. I connected deeply with one young man in particular. He was thoughtful, compassionate, and genuinely engaged in talking with me. At one point he shared a poignant story about his uncle that brought him to tears and he ended up asking me for a hug. I had been thinking the same thing moments before so it felt natural and organic that we embraced. He let his guard down by crying on my shoulder. I felt such a strong sense of connection that I gave him my phone number with the hope we could stay in touch. For the first time, I felt prompted to share about Jesus with someone during an outreach.

This journey has changed me. Justice For All’s training gave me the tools I needed to step into these dialogues with humility and compassion. I’ve discovered the power of simply being a humble listener and asking thoughtful, respectful questions. That alone is enough to spark meaningful conversations –conversations that can save lives and transform hearts, including my own.

Shannon

My courage has been constantly challenged throughout my experience working with JFA. At times fear has been almost paralyzing. Being out in public has made me realize that I am fearful of what people will think of me, I am fearful of saying the wrong thing, I am fearful of what people may do to me. For me, it was a huge step just to show up and participate in other people’s conversations. Later, I was able to go out and conduct surveys. Finally, I was able to engage in conversations on my own… Two young women that I encountered while conducting surveys had never seen pictures of the results of abortions. We asked them if they would be willing to look, warning them that they would be graphic, and they agreed. The looks on their faces made it clear that they had not realized the gruesomeness of the process. My prayer is that after our conversation and the experience of viewing the pictures they will have new information with which to think about the topic. People are much more likely to change their minds later in private than in a public setting. Even though we may not always see the results, it is so important that Christians engage in conversations so that bit by bit people will come to recognize the horrors of abortion.

Thank you for your support that empowers my team and me to lead these events and help others gain confidence in having these important conversations.

-Rebekah Dyer, for the JFA Team

"This Conversation Has Opened My Eyes."

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.

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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”

— Lauren's Reflection

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.

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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

Spring Update

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Thanks for supporting and encouraging us in our work. Our trainers have been busy over the past four months in 12 states (see events list below, and see recent pictures here). Go to our social media pages for photos of our team in action as well as videos and thought-provoking content.

You can see many of our upcoming events at www.jfaweb.org/calendar. Please consider attending one of our new short-form online workshops, praying for our team, and making a gift to JFA to help us continue training Christians to change hearts and minds.

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Recent Facebook Post Gets 1.3 Million Views

One of JFA’s recent Facebook posts has garnered over 1.3 million views and over 3,000 comments! (Numbers updated as of May 6, 2025). The post shows a vandal spray-painting the JFA display at CU Boulder in early April, and although the post isn’t focused primarily on dialogue or JFA’s arguments against abortion, it does illustrate how our trainers engage every human being at our events respectfully and peacefully, and we’re happy the post is bringing many new people to JFA’s page. Go to JFA’s Facebook post to read Rebekah Dyer’s thoughtful comments about the incident and share the post. Then join us in praying for the masked vandal, for the other students at CU, and that this post will help many more people learn from and support JFA.

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New Trifold Brochure You Can Share

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Share JFA’s work through this new trifold brochure. Use this link to share the virtual brochure via email or text. Request copies of the brochure at our “Request Printed Materials” page.

For years we’ve needed a brochure our trainers and friends can use to illustrate and explain JFA’s mission, so Kristina Massa created one. You can share it with a pastor, pro-life leader, or friend to get a conversation started about how JFA can help your community learn to change hearts and minds about abortion. Each copy of the brochure only costs JFA about 12 cents, so please don’t hesitate to give it away! You can get additional copies at www.jfaweb.org/request-printed-materials or by calling our office at 316-683-6426. You can also send a friend the virtual brochure via text or email: www.jfaweb.org/about-jfa.

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Recent JFA Events (Seat Work + Feet Work)

See photos from recent events here.

TX — Feb. 9-10 — Workshop and Outreach at University of Texas (UT) (Austin)

AR — Feb. 4 & 6 — Outreach at University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)

AR — Feb. 5 — Workshop at Fort Rock Family Camp (Combs)

MO — Feb. 15 — Workshop for Students for Life Club at St. Louis University (St. Louis)

MO — Feb. 17 — Poll Table Outreach at St. Louis University (St. Louis)

IN — Feb. 27-28 — Workshop & Poll Table Outreach at Indiana University (Bloomington)

NM — Mar. 1 — Seminar for Christian Student Center at Univ. of New Mexico (Albuquerque)

NM — Mar. 2 — Seminar for Summit Ministries Gap Year Program Students (Albuquerque)

NM — Mar. 3-4 — Outreach at UNM (Albuquerque)

CA — Mar. 1-2 — Seminars at The Gathering Church & Mission Hills Church (San Diego)

CA — Mar. 1-2 — Outreach at San Diego State University (San Diego)

CA — Mar. 5 — Outreach at MiraCosta College (Oceanside)

CO — Mar. 30 — Seminar at First Baptist Church (Golden)

CO — Mar. 31 — Outreach at University of Colorado at Boulder (CU)

CO — Apr. 1 — Outreach at University of Colorado at Boulder (CU)

CO — Apr. 2 — Outreach at Colorado School of Mines (Golden)

AR — Apr. 14 — Workshop at Gospel Light Baptist Church (Rogers)

AR — Apr. 15-16 — Outreach at University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)

Stand-Alone Presentations, Workshops, Outreach Events, & Other Activities

WEB — Jan. 10 — Workshop for Students for Life of America — Steve Wagner & Team

CO — Jan. 12 — Presentation at First Baptist Church (Golden) — Kristine Hunerwadel

MO — Jan. 23 — Workshop for MO Right to Life Western Region (Kansas City) — Kristina Massa

DC — Jan. 25 — Presentation at National Pro-Life Summit (Washington) — Steve Wagner

MO — Feb. 16 — Workshop for Archdiocese of St. Louis Respect Life (St. Louis) — Kristina Massa

CA — Feb. 10 — Outreach at Palomar College (San Marcos) — Rebekah Dyer

CA — Feb. 11 — Outreach at Miramar College (San Diego) — Rebekah Dyer

CO — Feb. 12-13 — Poll Table at CSU (Fort Collins) — Kristine Hunerwadel & Andrea Thenhaus

TX — Feb. 12-13 — Outreach at Texas State University (San Marcos) — JFA Team

KS — Mar. 1 — Workshop for Heritage Christian Academy (Olathe) — Kristina Massa

KS — Mar. 8 — Workshop for Holy Spirit Catholic Church (Overland Park) — Kristina Massa

MI — Mar. 9 — Presentation at West Cannon Baptist Church (Belmont) — Kaitlyn Donihue

MO — Mar. 12 — Workshop for Archdiocese of St. Louis (St. Louis) — Kristina Massa

MI — Mar. 14-16 — Deeper Still Retreat — Kaitlyn Donihue (Also in Ohio on Mar. 21-23)

MN — Apr. 6 — Presentation Including Stories from the Field, Q&A, and “The Baby’s Heart Beats Like Mine” (jfaweb.org/kids) — Andrea Thenhaus, Alora Tunstill, & Paul Kulas

MN — Apr. 7-8 — Outreach at University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) — Andrea, Alora, & Paul

OH — Apr. 13 — Workshops at Franciscan University (Steubenville) — Steve Wagner

CA — Various Sidewalk Counseling Conversations in Escondido — Rebekah Dyer

A Conversation, a Seed Planted, and a Life Saved

Impact Report, March 2025

In this Impact Report, our newest intern Alora Tunstill (Northwest Arkansas) shares one of her favorite conversation stories. She underscores how important it is to engage those around us in conversation about important topics like abortion, lifestyle choices, and spiritual things.

Our mission is to help you to learn the same conversation skills Alora discusses in this letter, and to help you teach others around you in your church and community. See jfaweb.org/calendar for upcoming workshops, both in your community and online anywhere in the world. Thank you for partnering with JFA through financial support and prayer as we seek to reach more people.

-Steve Wagner, Executive Director

My mom, Rachael, grew up in a lukewarm Christian home only going to church on holidays like Easter and Christmas. She had a basic understanding of who God is. She knew she was a sinner and that if she died she would be forever separated from God.

Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center made an eight-minute video of Rachael (right) and Alora (left) sharing this story. Watch the video here.

Her parents divorced when she was three years old. She didn’t have a real relationship with her siblings; her friends were her priority. During high school she often spent her time with the wrong influences.

She got a job working at a small barbecue restaurant when she was in 10th grade. It was here she met my dad, Nicholas. He was a country boy who had no spiritual knowledge. They started dating, partying, and drinking together. Their lives revolved around themselves.

My dad’s family unit was also a wreck. His dad was an alcoholic, and his mom was completely uninvolved. He lived with his great-grandparents, and some of his aunts and uncles took an interest in him.

Shortly after my mom graduated from high school, she moved in with some friends and began using drugs. She continued to work at the restaurant but also got a job at a dental office. Three of her co-workers began speaking to her about making good choices with her life. Her aunt also took time to encourage her and share truth with her. My mom felt safe to open up to her co-workers and her aunt because they took the time to start conversations with her about hard things and remained her friends even when they disagreed. They found common ground with her through everyday conversations. They accepted her for who she was. They challenged her with truth by their own right living.

Around this time, my mom discovered that she was pregnant and that she was already five months along. She was only 19. She was still using drugs and still dating my dad, but they weren’t married, and she felt alone. She felt the only option she had was an abortion.

Since she was so far along, the procedure would take two days. The first day the doctor would implant laminaria which is used in the dilation and evacuation abortion procedure. The next day she would go in for the surgical part of the procedure. The clinic was cold, unwelcoming, and lonely.

After the implant was finished, they did an ultrasound, and she saw her baby and heard the heartbeat. Suddenly she realized she couldn’t go through with the procedure. She felt God calling out to her, asking her to stop running and surrender to Him. She gave her life to Him right there and left the clinic.

Because her Christian friends at the dental office had taken the time to talk with her, listen to her, and challenge her toward truth, she knew she could call them and that they would help her.

(Above) Alora and her parents enjoy the snow when Alora was just four months old. (Below) Alora and her mom pause for a recent photo. Alora is now serving as an intern with JFA in Northwest Arkansas and raising support to serve as a Training Specialist. Learn more about her work here.

Through the scramble of trying to figure out what to do next, my parents made some phone calls to several OB-GYN doctors. No one wanted to take her as a patient since the abortion procedure had already been started. Her co-workers, however, knew of a local pregnancy resource center close by, and they decided to see if they could get care there. They went in looking for help and love.

The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center (huntsvilleprc.org) immediately called a doctor who was willing to help. The doctor didn’t promise that he could save their baby, but he said he would do what he could. He removed the laminaria that the abortion clinic had implanted. Everyone held their breath and prayed. They did an ultrasound and there was a heartbeat! What a miracle!

Shortly afterward, my dad gave his life to the Lord, and my parents got married. Four months later their baby was born – me! I was born with no health issues or side effects from the drugs or from the first step of the abortion procedure.

What can a conversation change? Turns out it can save a life! Because my mom’s co-workers took the time to talk to her about spiritual things as well as everyday things, she knew she could reach out to them. What if they hadn’t talked to her? I might not be here today. They never could have guessed that the simple conversations they had with my mom would lead to them helping to save my life.

Conversations are powerful. At Justice For All we work to equip Christians to have conversations with people around them about the important issues of our day because these conversations can have an incredible impact. Just like in my story, they can plant a seed and later maybe even save a life.

– Alora Tunstill, for the JFA Team