About a month ago, I was invited to preview the film, Voiceless.

I watched the film last week but I’ve been struggling to write my review of a movie that seeks to engage the church on such a controversial issue. The truth is, I believe that the abortion debate is not as much a legal and political issue as it is a heart for people issue.

Is the church loving and supporting people well in the midst of heartache and tragedy? Are Christians meeting their hurting neighbors in their time of need, speaking truth into their situations, and putting their money where their mouth is, even when it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable?

Voiceless does a decent job of exploring these questions and inspiring action through ministry.

How Voiceless reminded me of the true meaning of ministry

Voiceless follows the story of troubled Army Ranger veteran and native Oklahoman, Jesse, in his new home of Philadelphia. A newly hired community outreach minister at the inner-city church his wife Julia grew up in, he uses boxing as a way to engage and start faith conversations with young men in their neighborhood.

When he begins to interact with clients of the abortion clinic across the street, his inner demons begin to affect both his ministry and his marriage. He wants to help but struggles to overcome rage and grief from his past.

Jesse finally finds an ally in his neighbor, an elderly Scottish woman whose father started their church and bravely spoke out for civil rights during her childhood.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3 ESV

Abortion isn’t really something we like to talk about on social media, and I think that was the point of this movie–to start conversations and inspire action.

The film wasn’t about lobbying and legislation. Instead, it was about supporting women who feel they don’t have any other options right where they are.

Ministry is love in action

“I pray the church will be a voice…”

Will this film motivate the church to take a more active role in the pro-life movement? I don’t know. 

I do know that it got me thinking about what I can do personally to support women in crisis pregnancies. It challenged me to re-engage with my local pregnancy resource center.

Voiceless reminded me that ministry is about more than preaching the gospel. It is about living out the gospel in big and little ways in our everyday lives.

Ministry is love in action:

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” – 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

The film will be in theaters October 7.