CFL held another Sidewalk Supporter Boot Camp on September 12, 2009 for about 23 students.  The goal of these events is to equip attendees with a gospel-driven worldview and tools for doing Christ-honoring ministry on a sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic.  It also serves to dispel fear, as one student remarked, "There is no reason to be afraid [of sidewalk ministry], and this training shows that."

The Boot Camp starts with about an hour of classroom instruction.  Students are given insights that will help them process and practice godly ministry for the next phase of the training on location at an abortion clinic.  This particular morning, after our classroom session, we all walked to Planned Parenthood in the Central West End for on-the-job training.  Once there, Rev. Merkey, CFL President and leader of the Boot Camp, gathered everyone together.  He pointed out noteworthy features of the facility and area, led the group in prayer, and then instructed students to practice what they just learned in the classroom.  After about an hour on the sidewalk, the group walked back to the classroom (at ThriVe's Lindell facility) for a time of debrief and prayer. 

This particular Boot Camp was filmed by Channel 4 News (KMOV).  They plan to put a special segment covering the morning's events on their evening news sometime in late September.

CFL's Boot Camp is the only training of its kind in the region.  It is comprehensive and worthwhile for first-time and veteran sidewalk ministers.  To find out about the next Boot Camp, please visit CFL's online calendar.