Our first visit to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) was eye-opening. One would hope that on a Christian campus there would be more students and professors who were encouraging than unsupportive. That was not the case at SEBTS. Folks, we are losing the abortion war in the Church, in large part because our Christian colleges and seminaries are graduating pro-abortion students. However, not all hope is lost. Mixed in with the ugly, we saw glimmers of God’s grace at SEBTS.

Seminary students see how abortion grieves the heart of God.

“Babies go to heaven anyway.” Joanna was taken aback by this student’s comments, but started asking questions, hoping for a meaningful conversation. At the end, he said he appreciated her and felt like, “God was speaking to me through you.”

Save a child’s life by ending it? Logic and reasoning are not a strong point amongst today’s college students. Regardless of whether it is a secular campus or a Christian one, students argue that children should be aborted in the womb because they “will die anyway from a hard life.” CBR Staffer Mik’aela Raymond was ready when one student made such a bold presumption: “We don’t believe in killing children so that they won’t die.”

Mom mystery. A mom walked up with her elementary school aged child and began showing her daughter the photos. We were sure she was on our side and wanted her daughter to know the truth of abortion. But in fact, “I used to be pro-life until I grew up and got smarter. I’ve had an abortion. I know friends who wish they had aborted their disabled child.” We need to be praying for this mom and her young family.

Women need to see before it’s too late. “I had two abortions without seeing pictures in the womb. I was on my way to abort my 3^rd but decided to have my son.” CBR Staffer Joanna asked her if these pictures would have stopped her from aborting her first two children. “Probably,” she said.

So much for “love your neighbor.” On our second day a man approached and yelled, “You people are what is wrong with the world. Someone needs to punch you all in the face.”

“Scripture is enough; people don’t need these graphic pictures.” After talking about the history of social reform and Christians continuing to have abortions in spite of pastors who talk about abortion, CBR volunteer Laurice encouraged the man who claimed this to show the truth in conjunction with his preaching, so lives would be saved. He softened and walked away, saying he would do his research.

A mom stops to show her daughter the hand of an aborted child. She later told us, “I used to be pro-life, but then I grew up and got smarter.”

As part of our Revival Project Tour in Fall 2019, CBR stopped by the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to talk to Christian students about modern-day child sacrifice. Though not on the campus grounds, our location on the sidewalks directly in front of the main entrance allowed us ample visibility.

Check out press coverage of our visit:

• NC town warns residents of graphic anti-abortion photos as demonstrators arrive.
•  Group to display ‘graphic pictures of aborted children’ in Wake Forest, town says

Hundreds of students are shown the reality of “Choice” in between classes.

Once again, our recent visit to Chapel Hill exposed many a “tolerant” college student to be less supportive of the free speech, and more “if I don’t like what you have to say, I have the right to yell, hit, and destroy.”

Even though many students were angry, they ended up attracting even more students to the display. These calmer students quietly observed the pictures and began wondering if abortion is as clear-cut at they thought.

Dead child, better parent? “I aborted my child with Down Syndrome because of the life it would have had. I think my husband and I are better parents because of the abortion.” This woman told CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey that her profession, ironically, involves working with people with special needs.

Abortion hurts men, too. A mild-mannered man wanted to know if there are truly any women who want a strong man in their life. “On this campus, women don’t seem to want a man to speak anything into their lives.” This gentleman raised an interesting, yet sad point – with abortion, fatherhood is sometimes taken from a man who is willing to be there for his family.

A path toward healing. Two women approached the Free Speech Board, one crying and one comforting. The first was post-abortive and needed a hug, the love of Jesus, and post-abortion materials. They received all three, and left, late for class. Praise God the truth of GAP was an impetus toward healing for this young woman.

Thank God her mom didn’t think the same way. A young woman boldly proclaimed, “I would be more concerned about pushing an 8 pound baby out of my body, breaking bones and stretching skin than anything else.”

CBR sets up along Wall Street for the morning rush hour

New York legislators passed a diabolical law legalizing abortion through birth, and it was signed by Governor Cuomo on January 22, 2019. Consequently, we traveled to New York City in May to show the public exactly what their government had approved. One of our signs showed Gov. Cuomo’s photo next to that of an aborted baby with the caption “Gov. Andrew Cuomo 3261 weeks following fertilization. Baby Jane Doe 24 weeks following fertilization.” We hoped that by exposing the insanity of aborting a viable, third trimester baby (something most people already agree is wrong), we could make people consider the possibility that aborting younger babies is just as wrong.

CBR shows the face of infanticide to university students in NY.

We began our activism in New York City at Focus on the Family’s Times Square event. Focus staff members were so unhappy they told us they did not want us displaying abortion victim images near their event. We politely ignored their request. We were able to reach thousands of pro-lifers, as well as countless tourists who frequent Times Square.
Our NYC tour continued at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York University in Greenwich Village, and Columbia University in the Upper West Side. We received the typical span of reactions from these college students, even at Fordham, which still claims to be a Catholic (albeit Jesuit) institution. At NYU, one passerby was so angry he defaced our “All Black Lives Matter, Born and Unborn” sign with a permanent marker.

Our next target was the New York Stock Exchange. Not only could we reach some of the most influential policy makers in the country, we could reach people from all over the world. Wall Street was a steady stream of people, from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. It is safe to say they had never seen such graphically disruptive imagery as passersby seemed stunned and speechless.

We ended our Big Apple expedition back near Times Square outside Fox News Headquarters. NYPD sent out their Counter-Terrorism officers, but they were respectful and, in some instances, even helpful. New York City is a particularly dangerous place for preborn babies; it has the highest abortion rate in the entire nation, with 37% of pregnancies ending in abortion. Gov. Cuomo has declared that there is no place in New York for opponents of abortion, but with your help, we proved him wrong. We can’t allow any public official to advocate infanticide and then tell us we have no right to call him out for promoting such atrocities.

If one good thing came out of this evil law, it was that many “fence sitters” now see the other side for what it really is: pro-abortion, on demand, until birth (and maybe even after birth), for any reason, or no reason at all. Join us in praying that God, in His mercy, will convict the hard-hearted legislators and others who celebrate and promote abortion. God hears the prayers of repentant sinners, and as He promised to the Israelites, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

Students flocked to GAP in between classes. Many had never seen what it is that abortion does to a baby.

Fall 2019 was full to the brim with eventful campus visits…to say the least. We hosted the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in October, where the student body came out in swarms to see our display.

Check out press coverage of our visit:

•  Anti-abortion exhibit spurs counter-protests from campus activists
•  Maya Little arrested Monday after group protesting abortion came to campus
•  Doctoral student Maya Little arrested by UNC Police

CBR Staffer Joanna Kielson and a volunteer answer a young man’s questions about abortion and rape.

At East Carolina University (ECU), students flocked to our Genocide Awareness Project (GAP). Some had unfounded claims, others brought quirky questions, and still more came with minds eager to learn. Here is a snapshot of the weird and wonderful!

Can a tomato really think? “If you are pro-life, you need to be a vegan.” There it was again — the well-worn argument posed to catch a pro-lifer off guard. CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey quickly challenged the young man’s statement, “Sure, you are still (technically) killing even when you eat veggies, but we all take it for granted that veggies can’t think.” Joshua stood in disbelief as he heard the young man’s reply, “Actually tomatoes can think. There is a book that says tomatoes can think.”

Knowledge is power. CBR volunteer Tony spoke briefly with Justin, a freshman. Justin admitted, “Abortion is crazy. I was pro-choice, but now being informed about it, I’m having different ideas of if it should be legal (or not).” No wonder the other side works so hard to cover up abortion; they know that once people see for themselves, the lies that justify abortion begin to crumble.

Who wants to cancel Halloween? A group of students approached the display and immediately proclaimed their feelings: “Your pictures are traumatizing and make us feel unsafe. They cause PTSD.” Quick to point out a double-standard,  Joshua mentioned that there was a bloody hand picture in the student center advertising a movie for Halloween. He said, “That doesn’t upset you because it isn’t real. Abortion is real. If I asked for Halloween to be canceled (because some find it offensive), you would laugh me out of the room.” The student reported: “You WILL NOT cancel Halloween.”

The healthcare deception. A male nursing student was appalled. “I was trained to believe abortion was a good thing; that it was simply the removal of a clump of cells. I have been mis-taught and deceived.”

God is faithful to provide. Tommy encouraged us, “Yeah, these are big pictures, and you are doing a great work.”

A student protests GAP at ECU.

In October 2019, CBR headed to Greenville, North Carolina for a return visit to East Carolina University. We captured the attention of the campus for the two days with our Genocide Awareness Project.

Check out the press coverage of our visit:

•  Anti-abortion display should have been reconsidered
• Group calls abortion ‘genocide’ at ECU

CBR Staffer Maggie Ferrara explains that human beings are valuable no matter how they were conceived.

When we began planning GAP at The College of William & Mary (W&M), we contacted the pro-life student organization, Tribe for Life.  They refused to work with us; a common decision among pro-life college students. The reality is, most pro-life student groups think that being liked around campus will help end abortion. How wrong they are.

On our first day at W&M, a member of Tribe for Life approached CBR staffer Jane Bullington and said, “I think we made a mistake not working with you guys. Pro-lifers need to stick together.”  Praise God this student was able to see the effectiveness of GAP, and was willing to step forward.

Nothing like a good ad hominem. Jane asked two passing girls, “How are you?” One replied, “Fine until you stuck this in my face! You are wrong and stupid and ignorant and I don’t like being forced to see this.” Her friend continued, “We wouldn’t be so angry if you just showed aborted fetus pictures. Piggy-backing on these other events from long ago only weakens your argument.” Somehow, we doubt you wouldn’t be so angry if that’s what we did.

Facts or feelings? CBR staffer Maggie Ferrara spoke with a student who claimed that life doesn’t begin at fertilization, but it also doesn’t begin at birth. He decided it began sometime in between those two events. He refused to look at the list of academic sources Maggie offered him, saying that he could go into the library and find sources that disagreed with ours. Maggie encouraged him to do his own research and not rely on when he “feels” like life begins.

Kill your child, or risk stretch marks? Annie told CBR staffer Joshua, “I use my body every day, and pregnancy would take too much of a toll on my body. Especially if I were raped, I would get an abortion to preserve my body and prevent stretch marks.” A human life, or stretch marks? They’re about equal in importance, wouldn’t you say?

Vulgarity abounds. One girl yelled as she walked pass the display, “If I wanted the government in my vagina, I’d f*** a senator.” Another gave us the middle finger while snarling, “You disgust me.”

Williamsburg Democrats claim our photos are doctored. Maggie talked to an older gentleman who received an email from the Williamsburg Democrats, claiming our photos were doctored. He went to our website (AbortionNO.org) and then responded to the email, “Why do you claim the photos are doctored? That does not add anything to this debate.” Maggie told him, regarding the authenticity of our photos, to use common sense. If you don’t believe our proof (affidavits from a doctor and photographer), you can look at fetal development and at how abortions are performed, and can logically deduce that the end result would look like our pictures. He nodded, “Yes, that makes sense.” 

CBR SE Director Fletcher Armstrong answers the questions of a growing crowd.

At W&M, there was plenty of good to counterbalance the plenty of bad. Many students spoke words of encouragement. Some maintained intellectual honesty even if they didn’t agree with us. Others shared personal testimonies which affirmed what we know to be true: God is the creator and sustainer of life. Here are a few flickers of hope:

Open minds see the truth. A young man spent time talking to us, and to the protesters across the green. “You guys have the arguments. The other side only has posters that say you are hateful. No information at all.”

Photographs promote understanding. CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey talked with a girl who understood exactly why we were on campus because she recently visited the Holocaust Museum. She told Joshua, “I always knew the Holocaust was wrong, but it didn’t become real to me until I saw the photographs of the victims.”

Watering a pro-life sapling. Nick spent almost an hour talking with CBR staffer Jane Bullington. Nick said he was Christian and pro-life but didn’t think our method was best. Jane calmly answered his many questions and listened to his thoughts. After a long while he said “I just realized how middle-of-the-road I really am on this issue. I need some time to think about this.” Jane agreed and encouraged him as he left. She told him, “Thank you for being a blessing to me, with your honesty and desire to be truly pro-life, in word and deed.” Sometimes we plant the seed, sometimes we water that seed, sometimes we bring in the harvest. But God always fills in the gaps.

Forcing people to care. CBR staffer Mik’aela talked to a group of girls for a long time, answering all their questions. They were particularly interested in why we use images to support our pro-life position. Finally, one of the girls said, “It sounds like your purpose in bringing these pictures here is to foster conversation, because people aren’t going to care about talking about abortion otherwise.” You got it!

CBR Staffer Maggie Ferrara answers the “rape” question.

Our first visit to The College of William & Mary (W&M) in historic Williamsburg, Virginia shook the campus.  Thousands of students and faculty saw the truth of abortion for the first time, and they could not stop talking about it.

Check out press coverage of our visit:

• Protests, while distressing, emphasize supportive, kind collegiate student body
• Upsetting protests offer poor reflection of pro-life movement, harm students
•  William and Mary students hold counter-protest during anti-abortion demonstration
• Wed April 24, 2019. Letter written by David Scheeveil of James City County.  Mr. Scheeveil writes a letter to the editor of the Virginia Gazette in response to SaraRose Martin’s article (see above).
  • “Why is it that the protest side of events and issues gets the headlines and becomes the focus of stories published and promoted by the news media? Isn’t it correct to say that the event of that day was a pro-life demonstration? Why couldn’t there have been a title to this article like ‘Pro-life group holds anti-abortion demonstration at W&M’? Then if you wanted to say something about the fact that protesters to the event also rallied to voice their concerns with the display, that’s fair game. I just get a little tired of always seeing the liberal perspective being the headlines.”
• W&M’s pro-life student organization, Tribe for Life, released a statement on Facebook in opposition to CBR’s demonstration:
  • “We have spoken directly with the Center, asking them to refrain from demonstrating at W&M. Please know that Tribe for Life is in no way associated with it.”

Lee U student learns that God is appalled when we do nothing about injustice.

“We are almost all pro-life…” said a Lee University student who opposed our March 2019 visit.  If that is true, then why are “almost all” Lee students, alumni, administrators, and faculty—and their churches—doing almost nothing to end abortion? 

Unfortunately, almost doesn’t count when innocent babies are being slaughtered by Christians and non-Christians alike.  Many students and faculty at Lee University had never seen abortion until we showed it to them.

Shocking warning.  As soon as we set up the first day, Isaac approached us and said, “This university is getting more liberal and students won’t want to see these.  Abortion is being ‘normalized’ and they think it is a clean procedure that should be allowed.”  God was using this student to confirm we had gone to the right place.

Encouragement is always welcome.  A young woman told us, “I appreciate you guys devoting your time to this great cause.”  And another said, “These pictures are graphic, but I think they’re saying what they need to say.”  Indeed.

A God moment.  Three angry girls were badgering CBR staffer Joanna Keilson with questions, barely letting her answer and repeatedly claiming our images were harming children.  While they were still ranting, a family walked up: a father carrying a toddler, a pregnant mother, and a 6-year-old child.  The father took his children over to the sign, pointed, and said to the oldest, “See, that’s the doctor’s hand.  He’s holding a small baby that was aborted.”  He went on to explain what that meant and why it’s wrong.  

You don’t represent us.  A group of ministry school students came out against us, claiming that they represented the ministry school.  Several other ministry students came to support us and told the others, “You don’t represent us; we’re pro-life.” 

Shocking fear.  Two of the ministry students who supported us were saddened by the negative reactions of their fellow students.  One of their professors encouraged them, but was afraid to join us himself, for fear he might get fired.  Think about that.  A professor at a Christian university is afraid of being fired for standing against child sacrifice.  He told his students, “The abolitionists used these same methods. These students just don’t like it because it’s the one injustice they don’t want to deal with.”

Lee University students attempt to conceal child sacrifice.

In a March 2019 article published by The Cleveland Banner, Ann Lasley (a Lee University student) described her reaction to our Revival Project. She disagreed with our photos and our message. She identified herself as a Christian, but claimed that “Christians should
not impose their views on others who don’t share them.” Really? What Jesus is she talking about? Not the one I know.  What about the Jesus (and His apostles), who confronted evildoers and exposed evil? What about the Great Commission? Sadly, Ann was not the only Lee student who believed this. 

Shocking arrogance. A girl in a passing car yelled to CBR staffer Jane, “How dare you show these disgusting pictures! You need help.” Jane asked if she was a Christian. “Yes, and you need to leave!”

Christian, and gay? CBR volunteer Laurice spoke with a protester who was openly gay, holding a rainbow flag, and a sign proclaiming rights for gay preborn babies. Laurice discussed Scripture as well as genetics with him, since he claimed gay people are “born that way”. She affirmed that we at CBR fight for the right to life of ALL human beings, including those who experience same-sex attraction.

Human life: it depends. “Well, I don’t know, it depends on when you think a human life begins.” Is it up to us to decide this question? Or is it up to us to find the factual answer to this question, which has been answered thousands of times already?

Shocking spiritual blindness. One student admitted to CBR staffer Joanna, “I don’t really buy into the concept of sin. Sins are mistakes. You (CBR) create shame, which makes women have to cover up the last mistake with another mistake.” Comments like these make us wonder, “What in the world is this Christian university teaching its students?” Not only does this student seem to not understand the difference between guilt and shame —guilt is good, shame is not —but he doesn’t even accept God’s admonition to recognize sin and avoid it.

A CBR Volunteer shares God’s heart for the unborn.

In Spring 2019, we headed to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee as part of our new Revival Project.

Check out the press coverage of our visit:

• Lee Students for Life meet in the wake of graphic anti-abortion demonstrations
• Pro-Life group holds anti-abortion demonstration, met with Lee student counter protest
•  Anti-abortion activists visit Lee University campus

Mik’aela Raymond tells how abortion is a violent way to address a crisis pregnancy.

We returned to the University of Tennessee this past Spring to a mixture of callousness, indifference, curiosity, and blessing. God orchestrates dialogue around GAP, often in a miraculous fashion. Here are a few moments which stood out.

Be the hands and feet. Samuel approached the photos. He stopped in front of CBR staffer Jane Bullington, heartbroken, and asked, “What can I do?”  Showing photos not only changes hearts and minds, but it also prompts pro-lifers to do more. Many Americans
claim to be pro-life, but only in their heads; to end  the killing, we need their hands and feet to be pro-life as well.

Still needs healing. James, a 33-yr-old man, said, “I still regret what I did; my child would be 14. But everybody’s circumstances are different so I’m still pro-choice.” Jane urged him to share his story and seek healing. Please pray for James, that he realizes the full gravity of what he did, so that he can be forgiven and healed.

Does that really answer the question? CBR staff member Joanna asked a passerby “What do you think about abortion?” His response: “Long live Roe v. Wade.”

She wore her heart on her shirt. Jane saw a girl whose shirt said, “I would like to stop and talk to you, but I would be lying.” Jane laughed and told the girl her shirt was funny. The girl almost responded, but then realized that Jane was with GAP. She yelled “NO!” and flipped the bird. I guess she meant what her shirt said!

Making progress.  Sean expressed the unoriginal view that he is “personally against abortion, but wouldn’t stop someone else from having one.” How many times have we heard that?

CBR staffer Joanna Keilson asked him, “If I wanted to own a slave, would you be content with saying ‘that is your decision’ like you do with abortion?” He responded, “No, of course I wouldn’t!”

Joanna replied, “Slaves are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. The preborn are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. It’s not okay to own or kill someone else.”

He paused, then nodded, “I can see that.”   With GAP, the photos create interest and convey facts, and dialogue helps overcome obstacles to clear thinking.

Pro-abort protesters would help us draw big crowds at VCU.  (Click to enlarge.)

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) may be the most leftist college in Virginia, if not in the entire Southeast.  We were expecting (and hoping for) a ruckus for our third visit to campus, and they did not disappoint!  When the pro-aborts show up, they never fail to draw attention!

What if the Holocaust were still happening?  A woman stopped to tell CBR staff member Mik’aela Raymond that we were using scare tactics.  Mik’aela mentioned the Holocaust Museum as proof that images work to convince people of atrocities.  The woman said, “Maybe, but no one is forced to go in the Holocaust Museum.” Mika’aela responded, “That’s because they Holocaust isn’t happening anymore.  But if it was, I would be willing to use images to stop it.”

For some, it’s personal.  Jennifer told us that her father pressured her mother to abort her older sister.  She’s very emotional about it, but that’s why she’s pro-life!

Hostile campus.  Nick and James were so thankful that we were there. “We’re both conservative, and it’s so hard to hold on in this environment.”  Keep it up, gentlemen!

Genocide survivor agrees with GAP.  A young woman who had survived the 2004 genocide in Burundi spoke with CBR staffer Jane Bullington.  She wasn’t totally convinced that all abortions are wrong, but wondered, “This is America. For not much money, you can get birth control and never need abortion.”  However, she completely understood our comparisons of genocides and our use of victim images because, as she said, “the baby is real.”

The right to share the truth?  Nellie, a young Christian student, told CBR staffer Joanna Keilson that she didn’t know where she stood on abortion.  Joanna challenged her to research when life begins and to stand up for truth.  Nellie asked about earning the right to talk to someone.  Joanna reminded her of the prophets, disciples, and Jesus Himself who were killed because they preached against sin.  Did they need to earn permission to speak to someone before calling them to repentance?