St. Andrew reported that they loved sharing with the community that they were praying for the unborn. St. Paul the Apostle had over 30 parishioners join during their adopted time on the sidewalk. St. Brendan's witnessed TWO TURNAWAYS. Sts. Simon and Jude responded with love and prayer when faced with hateful actions and words from passersby.

These stories, and many others who recounted how they were able to be a Christlike witness to the community even on days when Planned Parenthood was closed, emphasize the undeniable power of our peaceful, prayerful presence on the sidewalk. We're excited for our next campaign, but we're most excited for our upcoming advocacy trainings and pray that you feel inspired to continue sidewalk ministry year-round. More below!

Building on the Momentum

4260 abortions happened in Franklin County in 2024. We need a prayerful, powerful witness for life on the Sidewalk year-round to make a true difference. This is why we've scheduled two upcoming Advocacy Trainings on Thursday, November 13th and Saturday, November 15th from 9AM-12PM.

Our advocacy training is a half-day intensive training class that will provide an excellent introduction to pro-life action with GCRTL. The class includes an overview of apologetics (providing a defense of life), discussion on the laws and regulations related to both abortion and pro-life activity, local resources for pregnant or post-abortive women (and men), and more. All of our sidewalk ministry members are required to take this class, although prayer partners, respect life leaders, and students who are interested in a basic pro-life apologetics are also encouraged to participate.

We need more people on the sidewalk consistently. In years past, Sidewalk Ministry members have witnessed hundreds of women leaving the abortion clinic and choosing life due to their prayer and compassionate help.

At GCRTL, we understand that sidewalk ministry can feel intimidating. Don't worry, though, we're here to support you and help anchor you in truth and hope. Join us as we work to revitalize our Sidewalk Ministry program and end abortion in Ohio by 2033.

Click here to sign up or learn more.

Pastor Partnerships

At GCRTL, we believe that creating a culture of life begins and ends with the church! We are here to equip, educate, and and anchor every person of faith to stand for life.

This is where Pastor partnerships come in.

Pictured is just our first batch of informational packets sent to local pastors detailing the ways in which we can meaningfully partner + the programs and resources we can offer their church or parish.

We are officially beginning the search for a new Executive Director. Please pray that we can find the right person to help lead GCRTL into a new era of pro-life work and please share our job posting with your friends and family - or consider if you are being called to lead.

We are also searching for a part-time outreach coordinator! The main focus of the role will be assisting in developing a strong GCRTL presence on the sidewalk, including helping with 40DFL scheduling, recruitment, and events, and growing relationships with churches and community leaders among other assigned tasks. 

Click here to learn more or apply.

Policy Pulse

From the Statehouse to Your House

A long-time policy goal of the pro-life movement has been to ensure that taxpayer dollars never flow to organizations that provide or promote abortions, because they know that funds are fungible and there is always a benefit to the abortion apparatus. Following the Dobbs decision and the 2025 Medina v Planned Parenthood decision, Congress passed a reprieve that banned Planned Parenthood from most Medicaid funds for one year. That provision has been the subject of litigation but is currently in effect. However, a number of legislators, including Ohio Speaker Matt Huffman, applauded the effort.

Earlier this fall, Ohio pro-life organizations - including Greater Columbus Right to Life, sent a letter to Ohio Governor DeWine encouraging that Ohio move remove abortion providers from the list of Medicaid providers. Ohio has moved fairly quickly, and in late October the two Ohio Planned Parenthood affiliates announced they would be challenging a September letter from Ohio Medicaid delisting them from being Medicaid funders.

While the Executive action was based on the federal legislation, a bill pending in the Ohio General Assembly, HB 410, would make the exclusion a matter of state law. To date, the bill has had three hearings (First hearing, Second hearing, Third hearing - may need to check archives for 11/4/25). 

While this legislation could be a step-forward, it is by no means a done-deal. The abortion lobby is sure to respond with vocal opposition and, if enacted, various opponents have already threatened litigation based on their interpretation of 2023 Issue 1, Ohio's abortion constitutional amendment. If you would like to counteract those efforts, you can contact your member of the General Assembly to voice your support for HB 410 here.

As a reminder - at Greater Columbus Right to Life, our mission is to protect innocent human life from conception until natural death. It is never ok to intentionally end the life of an innocent human person - no matter the age or stage of development - and we are working to shape both the culture and the laws. We'd love you to join us. Learn more here.