
In an era where the line between peaceful protest and federal offense has blurred, individuals like Cal find themselves at the center of a national debate. Recently sentenced under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, Cal and others like him face years in prison for what they describe not as activism, but obedience to a higher calling.
Cal’s story is emblematic of a growing movement among Christians who believe that faith demands action. A husband and father, Cal never saw himself as a "pro-life activist" in the traditional sense. Instead, he describes his actions as a natural extension of his Christian duty: to speak for the voiceless and to protect the vulnerable.
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?"
Proverbs 24: 11 - 12
This conviction led him to peacefully block the entrances of abortion mills, praying and offering an alternative message of hope to those entering.
For this, Cal was convicted under the FACE Act, a federal law originally designed to protect access to "reproductive health services" by criminalizing obstruction or intimidation. In reality, this law is being wielded selectively, punishing peaceful Christian protesters while turning a blind eye to vandalism and violence against crisis pregnancy centers and churches. Since the FACE Act was instituted in 1994, 97% of FACE Act prosecutions were initiated against pro life Americans.
Cal is not alone. His fellow prisoners of conscience include men and women from diverse backgrounds who have chosen to put their freedom on the line. Their stories share a common thread: they were compelled by faith to act. For them, standing silently in prayer or singing hymns outside clinics is not activism—it’s obedience to God’s call to defend life.
Former President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to pardon those convicted under the FACE Act. While this move has been celebrated by pro-life organizations, it also shines a spotlight on the legal and cultural battles surrounding abortion in America.
The pardons would bring immediate relief to those currently imprisoned including Lauren Handy (57 months in prison), John Hinshaw (21 months), Jonathan Darnell (34 months), Herb Geraghty (27 months), Jean Marshall (24 months), Joan Bell (27 months), Paulette Harlow (24 months), Bevelyn Williams (41 months), Heather Idoni (24 months), and Calvin Zastrow (6 months).
These people were imprisoned over peacefully blocking the doors to abortion mills in Tennessee, Washington D.C., and New York. They sang hymns, read Bible passages, and ministered to women seeking abortions.
For Cal, the road has been long and costly. He faced not just years in prison but the heavy burden of being separated from his family. Yet, he remains steadfast, viewing his suffering as a testament to his faith and a call for Christians to take a stand.
In a culture increasingly hostile to Christian values, Cal’s story—and those of others like him—serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of discipleship. It challenges believers to ask: What are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel and the defense of the unborn?
Their stories are far from over. With hope, their stories may continue to inspire a generation of Christians to live out their faith with courage and conviction, regardless of the cost.
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