JFA Fall 2014 Events Update – September

September at a Glance

(12/30/2014 Update: October-November Pictures Update; December Update Roundup) 

OSU, 9/8-9/10 — Click the image to go to gallery.

The JFA Team completed two training projects in September, centered around the campuses of Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Kansas (KU).  

We had challenges with our space reservations on both campuses, so we thank God for allowing us to engage both campuses for a total of five days.

At OSU, we displayed a portion of our Big Exhibit near the Union along with poll tables, free speech boards.  We also displayed an A-Frame kiosk in the high-traffic area near the Chi-O Clock, and we initiated a new dialogue experiment by placing chairs right next to the display marked with different roles in the abortion conversation.  Catherine shared about one conversation she had using this new dialogue experiment in her October newsletter.

Our days spent at OSU were some of the hottest days on campus that our staff can remember, reaching the upper 90’s with high humidity for most of each day.  With some staff falling ill, and all staff needing regular breaks from the sun, it was a challenging three days.

You can read about three of CK’s conversations at OSU in her September newsletter. 

KU, 9/22-9/23  — Click picture to go to gallery.

At KU, we set up a poll table at Wescoe Beach on Day 1, and then at the Library lawn on Day 2.  Our team also used a survey focused on equal rights to strike up conversations.  This was the second outreach experience for a number of JFA volunteers.  One of these from Benedictine College, Molly, reflected after the outreach:

“One thing that I really liked about this time as opposed to my first outreach experience was that I interacted with the mentors more. I really enjoyed learning from their experiences and knowledge, as well as just getting to know them a little…

All in all, it was a great experience. I really felt as if I was doing something to make a difference; I was actually talking to people, trying to find the truth with them. That’s what I really like about JFA: you are out there actually talking to people face-to-face. It just seems so much more fruitful than writing article upon article about the issue. Talking about abortion actually makes people think about it.”

September by the Numbers

(All Seat Work events are “Abortion: From Debate to Dialogue” Seminars)

• 9/4 Chapel Presentation for Grades 8-12 at Southwest Covenant Schools, Yukon, OK – Approx. 70 attended
• 9/4 Presentation for Grades 6-7 at Southwest Covenant Schools, Yukon, OK – Approx. 30 attended
• 9/4 Seat Work seminar for Southwest Covenant School, Yukon, OK – 26 participated
• 9/5 Seat Work seminar for Oklahoma City area at Memorial Road Church of Christ, Edmond, OK – 13 participated 
• 9/6 Seat Work seminar in Tulsa, OK – 3 participated 
• 9/8-10 Feet Work outreach at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK – 18 new JFA alumni* from this event and 20 others returning to do more Feet Work!
• 9/20 Seat Work seminar for Benedictine College, Atchison, KS – 29 participated
• 9/21 Seat Work seminar at Morningstar Church, Lawrence, KS – 8 participated
• 9/22-23 Feet Work outreach at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS – 12 new JFA alumni* from this event and 10 others returning to do more Feet Work!

*A JFA Alumnus is someone who completes both parts of JFA’s training program: Seat Work and Feet Work.

(Note: Updated numbers on Oct. 1 for accuracy.)

Still to Come in October and November

• 10/4 Seat Work seminar for Fresno area, Fresno, CA
• 10/6-7 Feet Work outreach at Fresno State University, Fresno, CA
• 10/11 Seat Work seminar for Athens area, Athens, GA
• 10/13-14 Feet Work outreach at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA
• 10/18 Seat Work seminar for Wichita area, Wichita, KS
• 10/20-21 Feet Work outreach at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
• 10/25 Seat Work seminar for Norman area at The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
• 10/27-28 Feet Work outreach at The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
• 11/7 Seat Work seminar for Atlanta area high school, Atlanta, GA
• 11/8 Seat Work seminar for Atlanta area at Fellowship Bible Church, Atlanta, GA
• 11/9 Seat Work seminar for Atlanta area at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Canton, GA
• 11/10-11 Feet Work outreach at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
• 11/12-13 Feet Work outreach at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA