Two children will now live as a result of sidewalk counselors’ faithfulness in the midst of coronavirus restrictions.
Pastor Anthony Mathenia of Christ Church in Radford leads a sidewalk counseling ministry at Virginia abortion centers. In light of Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order and sidewalk counselors who were recently arrested in North Carolina, Pastor Mathenia sought legal guidance from Liberty Counsel to determine if his team could continue their ministry despite recent restrictions on public gatherings. Liberty Counsel advised the pastor that church members could minister outdoors with appropriate distance between each person on the sidewalk.
This week, several of the pro-life counselors were ministering on the sidewalk in front of an abortion center when a mother brought her teenage daughter for an abortion. When the teen opened her car door, the counselors tried to speak with her, and she slammed the door twice. The teen’s mother then drove her to the other entrance of the abortion clinic. Here, the teenager got out of the car and closed the door behind her. She listened to the counselors as they offered to help her and pray with her. She then got back into the car and they drove away.
About 30 minutes later, the teen and her mother returned and drove directly to the counselors. The teenager opened the door and asked where they could get help. The church members gave them resources and directed them to a local crisis pregnancy center. The teenager told them that she had received an ultrasound earlier in the week and learned she was pregnant with twins. She had come back that day to the abortion center to abort them. As a result of the counselors’ presence and the love they showed, this young mother decided to allow her babies to live.
Pastor Mathenia said if it had not been for Liberty Counsel’s help, the team may have missed this opportunity. Liberty Counsel appreciates the boldness of pastors and churches who will stand despite opposition.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “In the midst of this coronavirus controversy, Liberty Counsel had the privilege to advise pro-life sidewalk counselors who then helped a young mother save her two precious children. Despite government restrictions, the church must continue to exercise religious freedom and minister to people,” said Staver. {eoa}
This article originally appeared at Liberty Counsel.
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