Raising Up Sidewalk Volunteers

WEBVTT100:00:00.120 --> 00:00:06.480That was part of what finally mademe say this is not just some you200:00:06.559 --> 00:00:12.560know, unimportant thing that she's doing, or she wouldn't possibly be stippy there300:00:12.759 --> 00:00:17.359here year after year with all ofthese terrible conditions she faces. So it400:00:17.480 --> 00:00:23.960was her perseverance. I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours,500:00:24.280 --> 00:00:29.719and me, Lord, I amyours, I am yours. I'm600:00:29.760 --> 00:00:34.759welcome to the Gospel Center Pro LifePodcast, a podcast designed to equip,700:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.320encourage and challenge you in pro lifeministry, and always with a focus on800:00:39.320 --> 00:00:51.000the Gospel. Stay tuned, Ifelt show Passi touts your use me,900:00:51.159 --> 00:00:56.759Lord, Welcome back to the Gospelcentered pro life podcast. We appreciate you1000:00:56.799 --> 00:01:00.200guys joining us as always and we'dappreciate, as always, if you guys1100:01:00.240 --> 00:01:04.680would share this podcast with others whomight be blessed by it. My name1200:01:04.719 --> 00:01:11.599is Daniel Parks. Serve in lovelife as the director of missionaries and also1300:01:11.640 --> 00:01:15.640as the West Coast regional shepherds.I oversee our ministries out on the West1400:01:15.680 --> 00:01:19.840Coast, even though I'm right nowon the east coast. Let a travel1500:01:19.879 --> 00:01:22.640back and forth a lot, andthen I have Vicky with me. You1600:01:22.640 --> 00:01:26.159guys know Vicky hopefully, if you'vebeen listening, Ei there everyone, good1700:01:26.200 --> 00:01:30.319to be with you. Vicki serveshere as a of our leads on the1800:01:30.319 --> 00:01:37.760sidewalks here in Charlotte, and sowe do these episodes to help train people1900:01:37.840 --> 00:01:42.359really in particular with sidewalk ministry,to be effective out on the sidewalks.2000:01:42.359 --> 00:01:46.439We cover over other subjects as well, but really focus on the sidewalk outreach2100:01:46.519 --> 00:01:49.959ministry. That's our heart. That'show the Lord called us into the ministry.2200:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.319Pro Life Ministry is being out onthe sidewalks, reaching out to the2300:01:53.319 --> 00:01:59.040MOMS and the dad's going into theabortion centers, and so this episode is2400:01:59.040 --> 00:02:05.000going to be maybe, maybe likea compilation of other episodes that we've done.2500:02:05.359 --> 00:02:10.639We've kind of we've kind of takensome content from Time's past and condensed2600:02:10.639 --> 00:02:14.879it into some of these episodes thatwe've put out recently, I think.2700:02:14.960 --> 00:02:19.840Yeah, and now this is anepisode of recruiting volunteers. Again, we've2800:02:19.919 --> 00:02:23.319kind of given some tips and somethings that we've seen work here, but2900:02:23.360 --> 00:02:28.879we're going to kind of compile someof those thoughts into one episode that I3000:02:28.919 --> 00:02:31.919think will be a real blessing toyou guys that are listening yeah, because3100:02:32.000 --> 00:02:37.159that is a big need. Ifwe were to ask, and we did,3200:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.360we did a meeting, what aweek or so ago with some folks,3300:02:39.360 --> 00:02:45.080and just ask what's your what's yourbiggest struggle? And the biggest struggle3400:02:45.280 --> 00:02:50.960was for the sidewalk ministry, Hey, was finding people to volunteer. Yeah,3500:02:51.080 --> 00:02:54.840getting feet on the sidewalk, findingand keeping, but but this is3600:02:54.879 --> 00:03:00.639specifically more about how we can findthem. Yeah, we can recruit them.3700:03:00.680 --> 00:03:04.520Yeah, absolutely. So we're goingto talk about how to recruit some3800:03:04.599 --> 00:03:10.520volunteers right and I mean I thinkthe will probably give through this episode also3900:03:10.639 --> 00:03:14.680some ways to keep those volunteers,because you don't want to just get them4000:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.280out there and just get people outthere on the sidewalk and you can really4100:03:17.319 --> 00:03:21.759wear yourself out get a bunch ofbrand new people and trying to train them4200:03:21.840 --> 00:03:23.599up and then you find that theythey don't stay. Maybe we'll do a4300:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.000whole other episode. I think wecould. We do touch on it this4400:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.639one, but we certainly could expandon those ideas how to keep people out4500:03:30.680 --> 00:03:34.360there on the side well, becausethis is a difficult ministry. It is4600:03:34.360 --> 00:03:38.680this can be a very discouraging,challenging ministry and so we need some effective4700:03:38.680 --> 00:03:43.520strategies on how to get volunteers andhow to keep volunteers. But in this4800:03:43.520 --> 00:03:46.000when we're going to talk about recruitingvolunteers. So, Ye, jump right4900:03:46.039 --> 00:03:50.360in, Vicki. Yeah, we'rewe're going with this article. Okay,5000:03:50.439 --> 00:03:53.560so, like you said, thissuch a difficult ministry. All ministries complain5100:03:53.639 --> 00:03:59.000about never having enough volunteers, butI think it's doubly true in such a5200:03:59.039 --> 00:04:03.000difficult ministry as sidewalk outreach and andso as I was thinking through this,5300:04:03.120 --> 00:04:11.280I was thinking through just personally,how do we seem to most effectively draw5400:04:11.400 --> 00:04:15.959volunteers in and what seemed to bethe most important strategies and having them remain5500:04:16.120 --> 00:04:18.680with us. Yeah, so thefirst one, and I think it is5600:04:18.720 --> 00:04:28.040above and beyond the the single mostimportant and effective strategy, is developing relationships,5700:04:28.120 --> 00:04:32.040using the relationships you have develop,looked to that personal touch and drawing5800:04:32.079 --> 00:04:34.839those people in. Yeah, soby that I mean, you know,5900:04:35.120 --> 00:04:44.160friends of current counselors, churches ofcurrent counselors, and having them reach out,6000:04:44.199 --> 00:04:48.519your current counselors reaching out in someform. Yeah, yeah, it's6100:04:48.600 --> 00:04:53.079kind of like the dynamic of thelowhanging fruit, like who are the people6200:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.240most likely to get involved is goingto be the people that know you the6300:04:56.279 --> 00:05:00.639best, that know you that you'renot a crazy right, because a lot6400:05:00.680 --> 00:05:03.800of what comes a kind of thecaricature that comes with this Ministry is,6500:05:04.040 --> 00:05:08.000you know, just some loony birdsthat are out on the sidewalk at an6600:05:08.040 --> 00:05:13.120abortion clinic just protesting. Right,people that know you that that might be6700:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.079a turnoff, that caricature might bea turnoff for them. Everyone to get6800:05:15.079 --> 00:05:18.079involved when they know you and theyknow that you're not that, and so6900:05:18.160 --> 00:05:20.439they know that what you're doing,what you're asking them to do, is7000:05:20.480 --> 00:05:25.199not that. Yeah, so letme give you an example of two personal7100:05:25.240 --> 00:05:29.279touches that happened yesterday that were kindof unexpected. They were not quite this,7200:05:29.360 --> 00:05:32.720they were not friends, but itwas a personal touch where one person7300:05:32.920 --> 00:05:36.199happened to pull in. She claimedto be when I was on the sidewalk,7400:05:36.240 --> 00:05:41.040claimed to be a Christian and andwas furious with us. She she7500:05:41.160 --> 00:05:45.240said, you shouldn't be screaming atwomen and blaming women and and and what7600:05:45.319 --> 00:05:47.040do you do to help them?Anyway, and I was able to then7700:05:47.079 --> 00:05:50.959calmly explain to her what we doto help and she said frankly, I'm7800:05:50.959 --> 00:05:56.160surprised and I gave she was willingto take our information then and really think7900:05:56.199 --> 00:06:00.279about it. So there is apotential person who has been maybe now aged8000:06:00.319 --> 00:06:03.120in her feelings about sidewall counseling maydecide as a Christian, she needs to8100:06:03.120 --> 00:06:08.240be out there. Yeah, buther she had the wrong impression. She8200:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.720thought we were the crazies, thatthat much of the media her trays.8300:06:11.759 --> 00:06:17.240The second personal touch was when Iwas shopping. It's in a retail store8400:06:17.240 --> 00:06:21.480and a woman saw my t shirtat which said hope, hope is here,8500:06:21.560 --> 00:06:25.319help us here, and she saidtell me about that t shirt.8600:06:25.399 --> 00:06:30.279So I started telling her what Ido. She started crying and and said8700:06:30.399 --> 00:06:35.079how very much needed this was.She was also a Christian and she then8800:06:35.079 --> 00:06:39.079we talked about her church, whichis not involved, but her church had8900:06:39.120 --> 00:06:43.160had expressed an interest in being involvedand through that personal touch, which was9000:06:43.199 --> 00:06:46.600a very positive one, she saidshe was going to talk to her church9100:06:46.639 --> 00:06:49.399and she was. She was reallyimpressed. Yeah, I our ministry.9200:06:49.480 --> 00:06:54.480So personal touch. Maybe it ispersonal friends. Yeah, you already have9300:06:54.560 --> 00:06:57.800because they know you're not a coup, but maybe it is people that that9400:06:57.839 --> 00:07:03.519you meet just not even looking forvolunteers. Right. And and your personal9500:07:03.560 --> 00:07:09.319touch and building that relationship can makea difference in whether people might consider coming9600:07:09.319 --> 00:07:13.360out to the sidewalk to volunteer.Yeah, another thing as far as in9700:07:13.360 --> 00:07:17.160this realm of personal touch, ofcourse, family members, friends are people9800:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.600who, yeah, you want toget him out there on the sidewalk and9900:07:19.600 --> 00:07:24.160get them involved. But people inyour small group at Church, yeah,10000:07:24.160 --> 00:07:28.319people that may be volunteer with otherministries that you volunteer with or something like10100:07:28.360 --> 00:07:31.920that. Really, I believe,the key, because you can try to10200:07:31.959 --> 00:07:36.399explain all day long what what wedo and you can do a great job.10300:07:36.439 --> 00:07:40.480You guys who are listening can probablydo a great job of tearing down10400:07:40.519 --> 00:07:43.759the caricature of what we do andwhy people need to be involved. Right,10500:07:43.759 --> 00:07:46.759but at the end of the day, if you get him out there10600:07:46.759 --> 00:07:49.240on the sidewalk, then the Lordwill do the work. Right. And10700:07:49.360 --> 00:07:55.879we had a young lady yesterday,one of our volunteers, brought out just10800:07:55.959 --> 00:07:59.600to come and see the ministry,to shadow, just pray, just to10900:07:59.600 --> 00:08:03.560come out and pray, right,and the Lord actually use that that lady11000:08:03.600 --> 00:08:07.639to engage with a lady who wasSpanish speaking this lady came out. So11100:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.800we have a volunteer. He's aregular volunteer. She invited a friend out.11200:08:09.839 --> 00:08:15.319That friend came out just to pray. Happens to speak Spanish. Pretty11300:08:15.319 --> 00:08:18.639Miraculous Story. Happened to be fromthe same village, that same too,11400:08:18.720 --> 00:08:22.040any little speck of a town.Yeah, that this mom was from.11500:08:22.120 --> 00:08:24.040Yeah, this mom come to theabortion center was from. We need somebody11600:08:24.040 --> 00:08:26.519to speak Spanish. Yeah, so, you know, going to the Mobiltra11700:08:26.600 --> 00:08:31.439Sounn it chose life, that thatlady is now going to be hooked,11800:08:31.519 --> 00:08:35.240right would I would think so.She was not certain she would ever want11900:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.320to do sidewalk can see, andshe had just come because of her friend12000:08:37.480 --> 00:08:43.240right inviting her. And within fiveminutes I had warned her. Fortunately.12100:08:43.279 --> 00:08:46.440I said, I know we normallydo just tell people that they're going to12200:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.159come and pray, but I dowant you to know if we have a12300:08:48.240 --> 00:08:52.600Hispanic woman, we're going to askyou to speak with her. And she12400:08:52.679 --> 00:08:54.159kind of like gulped and I said, but don't worry, we'll tell you12500:08:54.200 --> 00:08:58.639what to say. And then itwas within five minutes, within five minutes12600:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.480of her arriving, this up thiswoman pulls in. Yeah, it's Hispanic12700:09:01.519 --> 00:09:05.480women. So, yeah, great, great example of a personal touch.12800:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.639Yeah, and yeah, absolutely.So, yeah, get people out there,12900:09:09.679 --> 00:09:15.639invite him to come out and justcome out and pray and obviously don't13000:09:15.679 --> 00:09:18.399pressure them to get involved. Don'tlay a guilt trip on them. Let13100:09:18.440 --> 00:09:22.080the Lord do that right. GetHim out there, get them seeing the13200:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.120women walk in. That's how theLord got me involved, got me out13300:09:24.159 --> 00:09:28.120there. That's how he got youinvolved, Vicki got you out there to13400:09:28.159 --> 00:09:30.720see it with your own eyes andit's like I got to do something.13500:09:30.879 --> 00:09:33.799Yeah, and actually that feeds intowhat is the second, I think,13600:09:33.799 --> 00:09:41.840most effective strategy, which is socialmedia, because I actually I did know13700:09:41.240 --> 00:09:46.279the person who ultimately was the onethat ended up bringing me to the sidewalk,13800:09:46.320 --> 00:09:50.799but I knew of her only throughsocial media right initially, and then13900:09:50.799 --> 00:09:54.799I would meet her. She wasa Homeschooler, I was a homeschooler and14000:09:54.840 --> 00:09:58.039she was in my homeschool group andshe ended up being a facebook friend.14100:09:58.039 --> 00:10:03.879So I had watched her facebook postfour years yeah, about what she was14200:10:03.919 --> 00:10:07.720doing out here on the sidewalk,and for years I ignored it, right,14300:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.200but then the lord got a holdof Mirror. It was just one14400:10:11.279 --> 00:10:15.200post. I think she had beenstanding out in a thunderstorm and I was14500:10:15.240 --> 00:10:18.679like, you've got to be kidding. Why would anyone do this? And14600:10:18.799 --> 00:10:22.720I'll end. I wanted to findout and that's what what brought me.14700:10:24.000 --> 00:10:28.919So social media is so important rightone of the as a practical way to14800:10:28.000 --> 00:10:33.080use social media, one of thethings that I do is every single morning14900:10:33.120 --> 00:10:37.600I put out a post about whathappened on the sidewalk the day before and15000:10:37.679 --> 00:10:41.600I put a Bible verse, Iput if there were saves, I put15100:10:41.639 --> 00:10:46.679the number of saves or I puta highlight, something to attract people and15200:10:46.720 --> 00:10:54.399then ask for prayer. And thishas attracted people that that are my facebook15300:10:54.440 --> 00:10:58.000friends, some of which know mebut some of which are only know me15400:10:58.000 --> 00:11:01.200through facebook. Yeah, to comeout and find out about the ministry.15500:11:01.240 --> 00:11:09.679I really think social media is avery important avenue for recruitment. So so15600:11:09.720 --> 00:11:15.080if you're not doing that and you'rehurting for volunteers, I would recommend that15700:11:15.120 --> 00:11:20.120you really give that a shot.Yeah, and there's so many different social15800:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.919media now the only one I'm onis facebook, but I have found facebook15900:11:22.960 --> 00:11:30.159to be very important. But nowthere's so many other things that you could16000:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.360do, Tick Tock. I don'teven know what all of them are called.16100:11:31.840 --> 00:11:37.960So many social media platforms and rightways to communicate. Yeah, yeah,16200:11:37.039 --> 00:11:43.440yeah, so, so that's areally valuable tool. Yeah, yeah,16300:11:43.480 --> 00:11:48.600and and course, tying into thatis not just putting out the need,16400:11:48.799 --> 00:11:52.840like you mentioned, right, sharingstories, man, stories are so16500:11:52.919 --> 00:11:58.759important people. People don't volunteer withorganizations, they volunteer with people, Right.16600:11:58.799 --> 00:12:01.679People don't connect with orzations necessarily.The connect with people, right.16700:12:01.960 --> 00:12:07.080People don't connect with with causes necessary, they connect with stories. Yeah.16800:12:07.159 --> 00:12:11.639And so when you share a storyon social media of a mom that chose16900:12:11.720 --> 00:12:13.759life or of a struggle that youhad, I mean I don't think it17000:12:13.840 --> 00:12:18.600all needs to be good stories.Some of it can be. I've shared17100:12:18.639 --> 00:12:22.360on social media the fact that somepoint fifty people are inside of the abortion17200:12:22.399 --> 00:12:26.840center. Right like that needs tobe shared, yeah, so that people17300:12:26.039 --> 00:12:31.879see, okay, there's fifty peopleinside the abortion center, there's a handful17400:12:31.919 --> 00:12:35.639of people out on the sidewalk.We need more folks and, you know,17500:12:35.000 --> 00:12:39.440put the needs out there. Youdo have to be careful not to17600:12:39.480 --> 00:12:45.960come across as being just needy andwoe is me. People don't get on17700:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.720board with that stuff. Who isa war? We we're out here,17800:12:48.759 --> 00:12:52.200only two of us, and there'sso many people do that, like glorying17900:12:52.200 --> 00:12:54.759what God is doing. Yeah,there's two people out there. There's two18000:12:54.759 --> 00:12:56.399people out there. Praise God forthat. We need more people. Let's18100:12:56.440 --> 00:13:00.639put it out there in a positivelight. I need more feet on the18200:13:00.639 --> 00:13:05.559sidewalk. is a reality. Butagain, sharing stories, sharing what God18300:13:05.639 --> 00:13:09.279is doing. Again, not justbabies saved, but maybe people that came18400:13:09.320 --> 00:13:13.879to know the Lord. We've hadpeople just walking by at the abortion center18500:13:13.960 --> 00:13:18.559for some other reason come to knowthe Lord. So many stories. Some18600:13:18.600 --> 00:13:22.039of you guys and other cities youknow. I think of like in Manhattan,18700:13:22.120 --> 00:13:26.120some of the experiences that they've hadwith people just walking by. Like,18800:13:26.120 --> 00:13:30.240share those stories. Let people knowGod's doing something and they just about18900:13:30.240 --> 00:13:33.919abortion. It's about the Gospel.Yeah, and you know, our model19000:13:33.000 --> 00:13:39.080for that is Jesus. Jesus sharedstories. The parables were a major way19100:13:39.120 --> 00:13:45.279for Jesus to convey the message hewanted to convey. Yeah, so use19200:13:45.440 --> 00:13:50.840that that. I don't know desireof all human beings to really hear a19300:13:50.879 --> 00:13:56.440good story, because there are goodstories, miraculous stories that happen out on19400:13:56.840 --> 00:14:01.720the sidewalk and they really can drawpeople in. Yes, story of post19500:14:01.759 --> 00:14:07.519abortive moms and their despair shows againwe would prefer to show the positive side19600:14:07.519 --> 00:14:11.519of what we do, but Ithink showing the negative side of abortion in19700:14:11.559 --> 00:14:18.120a compelling way, like through atragic story, can also encourage people to19800:14:18.200 --> 00:14:22.320recognize we need to be out therestopping this as best we can. So19900:14:22.360 --> 00:14:28.159stories are important. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then next something that20000:14:28.200 --> 00:14:31.840we've seen, and this is oneof the intentions behind the prayer walk,20100:14:31.879 --> 00:14:35.399and as we talk about love life, and I won't lay out the whole20200:14:35.480 --> 00:14:39.720vision of love life here on thepodcast, you guys hopefully know about love20300:14:39.840 --> 00:14:43.600life and The the vision of lovelife that comes from the story of Nehemiah20400:14:45.200 --> 00:14:48.519and Neamiah hears. So the kindof four steps of a church getting getting20500:14:48.600 --> 00:14:52.600involved comes from neamiah story. Thefour steps are here, pray, go20600:14:52.639 --> 00:14:58.240and connect. So the story Neamiahstart near my chapter one, near my20700:14:58.480 --> 00:15:01.559here's the tragic truth. The wallsof DREWSALEM are broken down. He prays20800:15:01.559 --> 00:15:07.320and fasts, then he goes outto Jerusalem where the walls were broken down,20900:15:07.360 --> 00:15:11.080and then he begins to connect peopleon the wall to rebuild the walls.21000:15:11.320 --> 00:15:16.120Yeah, and so when a churchgets on board with the adoption week,21100:15:16.240 --> 00:15:20.159they hear Sunday the tragic truth ofabortion. The moral walls are broken21200:15:20.159 --> 00:15:24.759down in our city. How manyabortions are taking place to the just wreckage21300:15:24.879 --> 00:15:28.799that's there? Yeah, in thewalls are broken down. We encourage that21400:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.799church to pray and fast on thatWednesday for the walls to be rebuilt and21500:15:31.840 --> 00:15:37.279then to go on Saturday. Andthe go piece is the prayer walk.21600:15:37.279 --> 00:15:39.759And at the end of the prayerwalk we encourage them to connect, and21700:15:39.799 --> 00:15:41.879that's beginning to connect people that havecome to the prayer walk, that have21800:15:41.960 --> 00:15:46.080been exposed to the issue of abortionwhere it takes place and whose hearts are21900:15:46.080 --> 00:15:48.879engage because they've already heard the tragictruth, they've already prayed and fast and22000:15:48.919 --> 00:15:54.600they've seen it with their own eyesin the prayer walk. We appeal to22100:15:54.639 --> 00:15:58.039them, Hey, get involved insidewalk out reach. Yeah, get involved22200:15:58.120 --> 00:16:00.200in mentoring, foster care and adoptionpost aboard of healing. We have different22300:16:00.240 --> 00:16:07.639connection pieces, but the sidewalk outreach component is is one of the most22400:16:07.720 --> 00:16:11.879like, I want to say,scary, but also one of the most22500:16:11.919 --> 00:16:18.919engaging aspects where we connect people.Yeah, and so I think when we22600:16:18.000 --> 00:16:22.039have a need for sidewalk counselors ina particular are particular city, we can22700:16:22.080 --> 00:16:25.480talk to those who are doing theprayer walk and say, Hey, let's22800:16:25.480 --> 00:16:29.519focus on this connection piece for acouple weeks and let's let's get people connected22900:16:29.600 --> 00:16:33.440here. Yeah, and and itis, I think, effective if a23000:16:33.480 --> 00:16:37.240sidewalk counselor who has been in thetrenches for a while gets in front of23100:16:37.240 --> 00:16:42.080those prayer Walk People and tells thestory, uses a story to capture their23200:16:42.159 --> 00:16:47.960hearts and then expresses the the need. And how they express the need.23300:16:48.000 --> 00:16:51.519I think is important and that feedsinto our next point. Yeah, which23400:16:51.679 --> 00:16:57.200is that general needs people tend toignore, right, but a specific need,23500:16:57.320 --> 00:17:03.119we're at a specific time, specificnumber, specific day when volunteers are23600:17:03.200 --> 00:17:07.880needed. If that is expressed,I think people are sometimes more willing to23700:17:07.960 --> 00:17:11.880look at their schedule and say hey, I I could feel that this fits23800:17:11.880 --> 00:17:15.640into my sketch. All. Yeah, so, yeah, and so what23900:17:15.680 --> 00:17:19.039we mean by that is you canput a general need out of there.24000:17:19.079 --> 00:17:22.400Hey, we need more sidewalk counselors, we need more people out here on24100:17:22.440 --> 00:17:27.279the sidewalk and people think, ohwell, I'll pray for them to have24200:17:27.319 --> 00:17:33.519people and maybe I'll consider doing that. But in people put it on the24300:17:33.519 --> 00:17:36.480back burner when you don't get specificwith it. Y, if you get24400:17:36.559 --> 00:17:40.880specific, not just we need morepeople, but we want to cover Wednesday24500:17:40.920 --> 00:17:45.000and Thursday and right now all wehave is a team from nine to twelve24600:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.000on Thursday. Right, we needa team from nine to twelve on Wednesday.24700:17:48.000 --> 00:17:52.160We need a Te a team fromtwelve to three on on Wednesday and24800:17:52.240 --> 00:17:56.119Thursday or whatever, and that teamconsists of three people. So if you24900:17:56.119 --> 00:18:00.559can get specific, we need threepeople from non to twelve on Wednesday.25000:18:00.599 --> 00:18:04.559People can see that all. MaybeI can feel one of those slots.25100:18:04.640 --> 00:18:08.559Yeah, and when people can seethey're actually having an impact on that number.25200:18:08.599 --> 00:18:12.039So once you commit to volunteer,when somebody commits the volunteer, Hey,25300:18:12.039 --> 00:18:15.279we need one more person, weneed two more people here. Can25400:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.519you commit? Will you put thoseneeds out there specifically? People will meet25500:18:18.519 --> 00:18:22.880specific needs, be more inclined,I will say, to meet specific needs25600:18:23.000 --> 00:18:27.000rather than just general appeals. Yeah, and I know you often say if25700:18:27.440 --> 00:18:33.480you explain the why, you don'tneed to push so heavily into the how25800:18:33.759 --> 00:18:41.680and and in it I want toapply this this specific area to that statement,25900:18:41.839 --> 00:18:45.119explaining the why. So if youput out a specific need, like26000:18:45.240 --> 00:18:51.240say you tell a story about atone o'clock, when our teams had mostly26100:18:51.279 --> 00:18:56.480gone home, but are very dedicated, counselor happened to be there just because26200:18:56.480 --> 00:19:00.079she just couldn't go home. Butthat's literally the afternoon team's time. We26300:19:00.119 --> 00:19:06.079didn't have anyone in the afternoon,but she stayed and a mom came out26400:19:06.119 --> 00:19:11.920and told us that she had changedher mind but she really needed our help26500:19:11.960 --> 00:19:15.839and we were able to share that, the specific help that we could give,26600:19:15.920 --> 00:19:21.279and that really really solidified that decisionfor life. But we can't do26700:19:21.319 --> 00:19:25.200that if we don't have afternoon teams. So presenting the specific need the specific26800:19:25.240 --> 00:19:30.160time, and that maybe why thatspecific time is is is so critical through26900:19:30.240 --> 00:19:33.880a story. So see, allthese things that we're pointing out as areas27000:19:33.960 --> 00:19:38.720that help recruitment do all overlap.Yeah, and using all of them,27100:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.920I think, becomes the most effective. Yeah. So, yes, specific27200:19:42.000 --> 00:19:45.880need. Yeah, and we can'tbreak down for you what those specific needs27300:19:45.920 --> 00:19:51.440are. We normally ask for acommitment no more than four hours really three27400:19:51.519 --> 00:19:55.079hours is kind of your sweet spot, I think. Yeah, and so27500:19:55.759 --> 00:20:00.039the abortion center opens it no thirtybetween and thirty over here. So we27600:20:00.079 --> 00:20:03.480want volunteers to be here from nineto twelve and then from twelve to three.27700:20:04.000 --> 00:20:07.960There's a little bit of overlap.There's people come and of course,27800:20:07.240 --> 00:20:11.519you know, people may show upa little bit earlier, hopefully, than27900:20:11.839 --> 00:20:15.440a little bit later, right,but you know, being specific. None28000:20:15.559 --> 00:20:19.599to twelve is good whatever. Maybeit's maybe it's eight to eleven or something28100:20:19.680 --> 00:20:22.599from you guys or yeah, orwhatever. You have to figure that out.28200:20:22.680 --> 00:20:26.720But yeah, I think it's helpfulagain to get specific with the needs28300:20:26.720 --> 00:20:30.480that you have. And I knowit can be discouraging. Yeah, I've28400:20:30.480 --> 00:20:36.240been discourage because I've done all ofthese strategies at times and we're still finding28500:20:36.279 --> 00:20:41.279we are short on volunteers. AndI would say then, next strategy is28600:20:41.279 --> 00:20:48.640not really a strategy as much asa character quality. Persevere, don't give28700:20:48.759 --> 00:20:52.680up. Don't give up, don'tdon't think that just because the strategy didn't28800:20:52.720 --> 00:20:56.680work in the first month, don'tstop right keep doing it. We know28900:20:56.759 --> 00:21:00.839these strategies work, but you doneed to keep at them. And Am29000:21:00.920 --> 00:21:04.960my own story. It was yearsright hearing social media reports and there was29100:21:06.000 --> 00:21:11.559a cumulative effect of seeing the faithfulnessof that person that was posting those reports.29200:21:11.759 --> 00:21:17.880That was part of what finally mademe say this is not just some29300:21:18.079 --> 00:21:23.799you know, unimportant thing that she'sdoing, or she wouldn't possibly be stippy29400:21:25.079 --> 00:21:29.960there here year after year with allof these terrible conditions she faces. So29500:21:29.960 --> 00:21:33.759it was her perseverance, in additionto the strategy of posting right Ya,29600:21:34.039 --> 00:21:38.119that ultimately brought me out there.Yeah, and I'll say just a little29700:21:38.160 --> 00:21:42.000word of advice here in line ofperseverance, you certainly want to persevere,29800:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.799press in, stay out there anddo what God's called you to do,29900:21:45.880 --> 00:21:48.359even if people aren't coming along inthe numbers that you want them to.30000:21:48.480 --> 00:21:53.319But also, you can't do itall. You do need volunteers and so30100:21:53.519 --> 00:21:59.400for you to take full ownership ofthe sidewalk and because they're doing abortions,30200:21:59.440 --> 00:22:02.759maybe Monday through Friday or whatever itmight be. Yeah, you feel like30300:22:02.799 --> 00:22:06.200you need to be out there everyMonday through Friday. You cannot do it30400:22:06.240 --> 00:22:10.279all. I cannot, and andyou know, you got to be careful30500:22:10.319 --> 00:22:14.720not to appear on social media whateverto come across like you do have it30600:22:14.759 --> 00:22:18.119all handled, because people will letyou handle it right. They will cheer30700:22:18.200 --> 00:22:21.079you on to do the stuff aslong as you'll do it. Al As,30800:22:21.079 --> 00:22:25.279it looks like you've got it.Yeah, so I would say you30900:22:25.359 --> 00:22:27.599definitely need to be careful not toburn yourself out. Certainly don't be out31000:22:27.640 --> 00:22:32.279there every day. You need todisconnect. This is an intense ministry.31100:22:32.319 --> 00:22:36.599You need to give yourself time todisconnect spiritually, emotionally, mentally in all31200:22:36.599 --> 00:22:40.559that stuff, and trust in theLord to raise up the people in his31300:22:40.599 --> 00:22:44.240timing. You know, the Biblesays, and I think that's that's next31400:22:44.279 --> 00:22:48.039on here's to pray for laborers.So pray for these labors. The Bible31500:22:48.079 --> 00:22:52.240says specifically pray the the harvest isplentiful, but the labors are for you.31600:22:52.240 --> 00:22:56.359Therefore pray to the Lord of theharvest that he might send labors.31700:22:56.400 --> 00:22:59.799He Jesus, doesn't say, therefore, you need to labor yourself to death31800:22:59.920 --> 00:23:03.880until the the fields are gleaned likethey need to be or whatever. No,31900:23:03.000 --> 00:23:07.680he says you need to pray forlabors in the harvest. So those32000:23:07.720 --> 00:23:11.200times you're not be able to beout there, don't lay a guilt trip32100:23:11.279 --> 00:23:15.119on yourself. Put that care,that concern, off on the Lord.32200:23:15.200 --> 00:23:18.480Pray to him to bring people and, as he does, of course,32300:23:18.519 --> 00:23:25.119plugging them in as appropriate. Yeah, but persevere, but don't wear yourself32400:23:25.200 --> 00:23:30.920out right right. The next oneis is the importance of that first training32500:23:30.920 --> 00:23:33.079session, and this goes along thelines of how do you keep volunteers,32600:23:33.160 --> 00:23:37.240more than recruiting them. But soyou've gotten someone say that's that's going to32700:23:37.240 --> 00:23:41.839come out. And I know ingeneral we say they really should not do32800:23:41.880 --> 00:23:47.240anything other than pray and observe,but I think in addition to them praying32900:23:47.279 --> 00:23:51.519and observing, they should be thereshould be targeted, specific training. Yeah,33000:23:51.559 --> 00:23:56.599where there is someone experienced standing alongsidethem, helping them to process what33100:23:56.640 --> 00:24:03.000they're seeing, explaining what they're seeing, giving the philosophy of why we're out33200:24:03.039 --> 00:24:07.319there, the biblical reason for whywe're out there. I do that those33300:24:07.359 --> 00:24:11.079training sessions, basically following what wecall our one hundred and one training,33400:24:11.079 --> 00:24:18.240where I give really every major pointwe raise in our more specific one one33500:24:18.400 --> 00:24:25.720video training of new volunteers, becauseI want them to know that they are33600:24:25.799 --> 00:24:30.440going to be trained specifically in howto do all these things and I want33700:24:30.480 --> 00:24:36.799them to be able to see everythingthey're seeing from the lens of our ministry.33800:24:36.920 --> 00:24:41.359Yeah, which they may not getif there is no one kind of33900:24:41.400 --> 00:24:45.880beside them. Yeah, telling themwhat's happening, why it's happening, why34000:24:45.880 --> 00:24:49.000we say what we say, whatever. And I have found that if that34100:24:49.240 --> 00:24:55.759first training session, when they showup and that first time is spent really34200:24:55.799 --> 00:25:00.640fruitfully explaining and being right there nextto them, you hear all kinds of34300:25:00.680 --> 00:25:03.440stories from them. You help themprocess the emotions, you're there for the34400:25:03.519 --> 00:25:08.519questions and I think those are theones that are most likely to return.34500:25:08.599 --> 00:25:14.799Yeah, so I think you cannotunderestimate the power of that first time when34600:25:14.920 --> 00:25:18.519them, but that be a reallyfruitful experience. Yeah, yeah, I34700:25:18.559 --> 00:25:21.839agree. We call that shadowing.Right, right when a person comes out,34800:25:21.920 --> 00:25:25.319they connected love life some way,maybe through a prayer walk or go34900:25:25.400 --> 00:25:30.240on the website, through another volunteer, another missionary that invites them out.35000:25:30.279 --> 00:25:34.200That first time they come out,we call it shadowings. All they're doing35100:25:34.400 --> 00:25:37.599is they're shadowing the team that's outthere or the individual that's out there.35200:25:37.599 --> 00:25:41.480Maybe not have a big team,maybe it's just you, but let them35300:25:41.519 --> 00:25:45.039come and shadow you just watch wetell them we don't want you to engage35400:25:45.119 --> 00:25:48.720right now, we want you topray and observe and ask questions. And35500:25:48.759 --> 00:25:51.640so you do your thing right ifit's just you out there in the person35600:25:51.720 --> 00:25:53.839shadow, when you you do whatyou normally do. Yeah, and then35700:25:53.839 --> 00:25:57.759when you when it's appropriate, stepmaybe over to where they're at praying and35800:25:57.799 --> 00:26:03.400observing and say you have any questionsand explain to them why you're doing what35900:26:03.400 --> 00:26:07.119you're doing. Yeah, I thinklaying out the boundaries so that you don't36000:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.920have to deal with the police,because we had new people that come out36100:26:08.960 --> 00:26:12.000for the first time and if wehaven't clearly explained the boundaries, they go36200:26:12.039 --> 00:26:15.839and walk on the abortion center property. They just don't know any better,36300:26:15.039 --> 00:26:18.200right. They're thinking, you knowwhatever, they don't even know where the36400:26:18.200 --> 00:26:22.400boundaries are at their thinking they're inthe parking lot of another business eventually as36500:26:22.440 --> 00:26:25.319abortion cent or something like that,and so I think, you know,36600:26:25.400 --> 00:26:27.160just some practical stuff you'd lay outon that shadowing, but also, like36700:26:27.200 --> 00:26:32.519you said, giving the philosophy ofthe ministry is helping them along in the36800:26:32.519 --> 00:26:37.160process to feel like they're equipped atyou're they're not just out there kind of36900:26:37.160 --> 00:26:40.200thrown out there to the wolves,right, but they're getting some training.37000:26:40.400 --> 00:26:44.559Yeah, they're being coached and talkedthrough the thing. Yeah, by somebody37100:26:44.599 --> 00:26:47.480that actually knows what they're doing.Yeah, that may or may not be37200:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.680possible. As you were talking,I was thinking when there's only two of37300:26:49.759 --> 00:26:53.480us out there and we happen tohave scheduled someone that I'm supposed to be37400:26:53.480 --> 00:27:00.240training, it is less possible forme to just stand beside them the whole37500:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.160time. Idiot. They will haveto just watch what we do sometimes and37600:27:03.200 --> 00:27:07.799then when we're able to step backand talk with them. Ideally, though,37700:27:07.839 --> 00:27:11.039if you can have a large enoughteam that you really can devote your37800:27:11.200 --> 00:27:15.480your time, yeah, with themthat that first session. I think it's37900:27:15.799 --> 00:27:21.559really effective. Yeah, absolutely.I know one years in years past,38000:27:21.759 --> 00:27:25.279the way we did thing is thingsas far as raising up new volunteers,38100:27:25.319 --> 00:27:29.759as we'd put a general call outthere on social media to any church partners38200:27:29.759 --> 00:27:33.599that we had and say we're doinga classroom training, and that's how we38300:27:33.599 --> 00:27:36.400started. We would start with theclassroom training. We're doing a sidewalk one38400:27:36.440 --> 00:27:40.440hundred and one training. Anyone who'sinterested in doing sidewalk ministry, come and38500:27:40.519 --> 00:27:44.000be a part of that and wewould get, I don't know, Fifteen,38600:27:44.000 --> 00:27:47.160twenty people, yeah, at atime. We do it every other38700:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.000month or something like that, maybeevery quarter. And so we would find38800:27:51.039 --> 00:27:53.240we'd have a group of fifteen ortwenty people, yeah, and we'd pour38900:27:53.279 --> 00:27:56.200into them. We'd actually trained thembefore they were even out there. It's39000:27:56.279 --> 00:27:59.839kind of a looking back, kindof a weird way to do it right.39100:27:59.839 --> 00:28:03.680We would give them training of howto do this before they actually wear39200:28:03.680 --> 00:28:07.200out there even saw it, which, you know, could be good,39300:28:07.200 --> 00:28:10.799could be bad, but either waythat's how we did it. But we39400:28:10.839 --> 00:28:14.960would find that after we trained fifteento twenty people and then brought him out39500:28:15.000 --> 00:28:17.799there, part of that training wasin a classroom. Then the other the39600:28:17.799 --> 00:28:21.240second half of it, during thatday, we did it on Saturdays,39700:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.960would bring them out to the abortioncenter and then they would be able to39800:28:22.960 --> 00:28:27.200experience it right, but of thetwenty people or so, we'd have one39900:28:27.319 --> 00:28:30.799or two that would actually be serious. Yeah, yeah, and we started40000:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.119thinking like we're putting together. It'sessentially an event that we're putting together.40100:28:33.279 --> 00:28:36.319You know, you got to getbreakfast for people if you're going to have40200:28:36.400 --> 00:28:40.200them there early, and you gottahave a venue and all that stuff,40300:28:40.200 --> 00:28:42.279and it's like, man, we'reputting energy into these events, he's training40400:28:42.319 --> 00:28:45.319events and only getting one or twopeople out of it. Is there a40500:28:45.359 --> 00:28:49.759better way? And the better wayis because reality is they were in the40600:28:49.799 --> 00:28:52.960classroom. That was a safe placeto be and they had all these notions40700:28:52.960 --> 00:28:56.319about what sidewalk ministry was, butwhen you brought him out there to the40800:28:56.319 --> 00:29:00.480sidewalk, a lot of those notionswere dispelled. Like this is this is40900:29:00.480 --> 00:29:06.400a intense ministry. Yeah, thisis a pretty difficult ministry, and you're41000:29:06.440 --> 00:29:07.880not just going to be out thereit's the savior of the world. When41100:29:07.880 --> 00:29:10.920you show up, because of howgreat you are, women are going to41200:29:10.920 --> 00:29:14.119flock to you and choose life.Like there's some difficulties. Yeah, and41300:29:14.200 --> 00:29:18.039so that's why people would come withthese good intentions and then when they're exposed41400:29:18.039 --> 00:29:22.200to it, they would just theywould disappear right exactly when you follow up41500:29:22.240 --> 00:29:26.279with them. You get ghosted right. Yeah, and so we found that41600:29:26.359 --> 00:29:29.880shadowing was a better way. Letthem come out and see it first,41700:29:29.920 --> 00:29:33.440and we actually asked them to shadowthree times, come out three times,41800:29:33.720 --> 00:29:37.160see the ministry, ask questions andthen after the third time. We asked41900:29:37.240 --> 00:29:41.200him, okay, are you seriousabout getting committed? Yeah, and get42000:29:41.240 --> 00:29:44.359plugged into this ministry. If theyare, then they fell out an application42100:29:45.000 --> 00:29:48.720and if their applications approved, they'renot a crazy or anything like that.42200:29:48.880 --> 00:29:52.680We send them the video training,the one hundred and one training that you've42300:29:52.720 --> 00:29:55.559mentioned a couple of times. Yeah, and then after they've completed that,42400:29:55.559 --> 00:29:57.240that's when we plug them into ateam. Which Day can you volunteered?42500:29:57.240 --> 00:30:02.160Monday, Wednesday, afternoon, goodmorning. We plug them into a team42600:30:02.200 --> 00:30:07.240and then there's ongoing training that wedo. But all along they're being kind42700:30:07.279 --> 00:30:12.279of they're being coached through, they'rebeing encouraged and they're being challenged and,42800:30:12.319 --> 00:30:15.279you know, you kind of pushthem out of the nest a little bit.42900:30:15.319 --> 00:30:18.319You put a pamphlet in second timethey come in shadow. We actually43000:30:18.319 --> 00:30:21.640we get them to engage in somelevel. Put a pamphlet in their hand,43100:30:21.720 --> 00:30:25.240put him at the driveway, somethinglike that. Yeah, it's what43200:30:25.279 --> 00:30:29.759we've seen the IT's the most effectiveway, I think, to train people43300:30:29.759 --> 00:30:33.599in Sidewalk Ministry and to vet peoplewho have interest in sidewalk right, I43400:30:33.640 --> 00:30:37.480agree, and letting them know whatthe process of training will be. I43500:30:37.519 --> 00:30:41.960think encourages them to know there willbe ongoing training, yeah, for them.43600:30:41.000 --> 00:30:45.240And then our last point took toclose out this podcast is a point43700:30:45.240 --> 00:30:51.680you rate alluded to earlier. Butdon't forget to praise God no matter what,43800:30:51.799 --> 00:30:55.759because all of us can fall intothat trap of discouragement, disillusionment,43900:30:55.880 --> 00:31:00.319bitterness whatever, blaming the church whatever, and we don't want to fall into44000:31:00.400 --> 00:31:03.200that trap and the easiest way tohold that at bay is to look for44100:31:03.240 --> 00:31:07.559the positive and praise God for whatyou do have out there. Yeah,44200:31:07.599 --> 00:31:12.839if I mean you've got I rememberyears ago we've got six days they're doing44300:31:12.839 --> 00:31:18.000abortions here the latter abortion center.Really only one day that we have consistent44400:31:18.000 --> 00:31:22.599coverage out there. Yeah, andit was always like where's the church yet?44500:31:22.920 --> 00:31:26.960Right man, we need people.It took some time, but God44600:31:26.039 --> 00:31:30.839raised up the people. Yeah,and I think by His grace he gave44700:31:30.920 --> 00:31:38.279us, he gave us a wayto kind of temper our discouragement and disillusionment44800:31:38.440 --> 00:31:41.559with the church, like where's thechurch at? And we're able to just44900:31:42.279 --> 00:31:45.880be patient and glory in what Godhas done. See, a lot of45000:31:45.880 --> 00:31:48.880times we can look at what wedon't have. Right, we don't have45100:31:48.880 --> 00:31:51.680people out here. We don't andwe can miss what we do have.45200:31:51.799 --> 00:31:56.359If you've got a handful to threevolunteers, man, these are two or45300:31:56.440 --> 00:32:00.599three people that are speaking out aplace of death. They're speaking life,45400:32:00.720 --> 00:32:05.400they're shining light in darkness. Listen, the Bible says God can save by45500:32:05.440 --> 00:32:07.759many or by few. Now wewant many, yeah, and I think45600:32:07.799 --> 00:32:12.799the goal is many. We needultimately, we need many people out there45700:32:12.839 --> 00:32:15.440so we can all bear the burdentogether. Yeah, but God can save45800:32:15.519 --> 00:32:19.839by few as well. So let'sjust have confidence in the Lord. Let's45900:32:19.839 --> 00:32:22.200put it on him, let's prayto the Lord of the harvest. And46000:32:22.200 --> 00:32:24.240just please know, guys, asyou're listening, if you're one of our46100:32:24.279 --> 00:32:28.480love life cities, we're praying foryou constantly for God to raise up people.46200:32:28.559 --> 00:32:31.200Yes, for cities where you're maybeyou're not a love life city,46300:32:31.200 --> 00:32:35.759we're still praying. We're praying God, throughout the nation, is raising up46400:32:35.799 --> 00:32:38.279people to be a voice for thevoiceless and to bring his Gospel to these46500:32:38.279 --> 00:32:42.240places of darkness. So just knowthat we're praying for you, guys.46600:32:42.279 --> 00:32:45.559We put these podcasts out to encourageyou guys. So, as we always46700:32:45.599 --> 00:32:49.039do, encourage you guys to reachout to us. You can reach out46800:32:49.079 --> 00:32:52.680to me, Daniel, love lifedot orgy, reach her, Vicky at46900:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.759Love Life Dot Org. We loveto encourage you, love to talk with47000:32:54.799 --> 00:32:58.440you, share with you, maybeeven some more strategies about how to raise47100:32:58.519 --> 00:33:01.400up folks if, if, youhave some questions about that. But until47200:33:01.440 --> 00:33:09.319next time, God, bless God, bless y'all. Give me our lift47300:33:09.440 --> 00:33:22.799for love. Give me our liftfor gratitude. I know it will cost47400:33:22.920 --> 00:33:37.920me my life. Nothing's too precious. And some met you