Why Client Testimonies Matter

Effective ministry isn’t static—it grows as leaders listen, learn, and respond wisely to the needs in front of them. One of our amazing partners, Linda, has done exactly that, recognizing that while numbers and outcomes matter, stories are what truly capture the heart of the mission. By intentionally elevating client testimonies, they have strengthened donor trust, deepened accountability, and brought their life-saving work into clearer focus. Their approach offers a compelling example of how innovation, when rooted in humility and stewardship, can amplify both impact and credibility in pregnancy center ministry.

Why Client Testimonies Matter and How to Gather Them

At a pro-life pregnancy clinic, lives are changed every day—often quietly, personally, and away from the public eye. Women walk through our doors facing fear, pressure, and uncertainty. They leave with truth, compassion, and hope. While statistics help tell part of our story, client testimonies are what truly bring our mission to life. They show donors, churches, and partners how their support translates into real transformation for women, children, and families.

The Power of Testimonies: Impact, Credibility, and Accountability

Client testimonies are not about promoting ourselves—they are about honoring God’s work and stewarding the trust of those who support us.

1. Demonstrating Donor Impact

Donors want to know that their gifts matter. A testimony answers that question in a deeply human way. When a woman shares how truthful counseling, an ultrasound, or a compassionate conversation helped her choose life, donors can clearly see the

connection between their generosity and a saved life. Stories transform abstract support into tangible outcomes: a baby born, a mother healed, a future restored.

2. Building Credibility and Trust

In a culture that often misunderstands or misrepresents pregnancy clinics, testimonies offer authentic, first-person accounts that speak louder than any defense statement. They demonstrate that we provide ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based care.

When women willingly share their experiences, it validates the integrity of our services and reinforces public confidence in our mission.

3. Accountability to Our Supporters

Our supporters invest in us because they believe in our calling. Testimonies allow us to report back with humility and transparency. They show that resources are being used

wisely and that our programs—medical, educational, and healing—are truly meeting women where they are. Sharing stories is one of the most meaningful ways we can say, “This is what your faithfulness makes possible.”

Types of Testimonies That Reflect Our

While every story matters, certain testimonies uniquely highlight the breadth and depth

of our work:

• Abortion-determined women who choose life after receiving truthful counseling and viewing their ultrasound. These stories reveal the power of information paired with compassion and show how clarity can replace fear.

• Women who find healing after abortion through our PASSAGES post-abortion support program.T hese testimonies demonstrate that our care does not end at a decision but continues into restoration and hope.

• Women who choose adoption, often sacrificially, out of love for their child. These stories reflect courage, maturity, and the availability of life-affirming options beyond parenting or abortion.

• Each testimony highlights a different way God works through our clinic to protect life and restore hearts.

Identifying Potential

Effective testimony gathering begins with intentional awareness. Not every client is ready—or called—to share her story publicly, and that must always be respected. However, certain women naturally stand out as potential storytellers:

• Women who openly express gratitude for the help they received

• Clients who articulate how their decision was influenced by our services

• Mothers who remain engaged with the clinic after their initial visit

• Women who demonstrate emotional healing, peace, or joy over time

When appropriate, mark these client files as “potential testimonials.” This internal note allows staff to follow up thoughtfully without pressure or urgency.

Following Up with Care and Respect

Timing and trust are essential. A woman’s story belongs to her, and sharing it should always be an invitation—not an expectation.

Follow up periodically through phone calls, postpartum check-ins, program follow-ups, or ongoing support relationships. When the time feels right, staff may gently askwhether she would consider sharing her Crossroads experience to help other women

like her.

A simple, respectful approach might sound like:

“Your story has impacted us deeply. If you’re ever open to sharing how Crossroads helped you, it could encourage donors and supporters who make this work possible—and help us reach more moms facing similar situations.”

Always emphasize that participation is voluntary, confidential options are available, and her comfort comes first.

The Most Impactful Stories

While every life saved matters equally, some testimonies powerfully illustrate the stakes of our mission. Stories involving significant barriers to continuing a pregnancy often resonate deeply with supporters.

These include:

• Young teens

• Unmarried women with little support

• Mothers facing poverty or homelessness

• Women struggling with substance abuse

• Clients carrying multiples

• Women under intense pressure to abort

  
  

These testimonies reveal the complexity of real-life situations and show how compassionate intervention can change outcomes even in the hardest circumstances.

See examples at https://friendsofcrossroads.org/testimonials/

Stewarding Stories with Integrity

Client testimonies are sacred. They should always be gathered, written, and shared with dignity, accuracy, and consent. When stewarded well, they become a powerful ministry tool—one that honors the woman’s courage, glorifies God’s work, and strengthens the partnership between our clinic and those who make our mission possible.

Through these stories, supporters don’t just hear what we do—they see why it matters.

Linda Stewart has been the Executive Director at Crossroads Clinic in Guthrie, OK since January of 1997. During that time the ministry has converted from a Crisis Pregnancy Center offering benevolence materials and free pregnancy tests to a Pregnancy Help Medical Clinic focused on reaching abortion seeking women.

Linda was born and raised in Southern California. She and her husband Paul have 3 grown and married children, 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson. Having experienced her own crisis pregnancy at 17, Linda has a passion to reach women and families facing their own unplanned pregnancies with hope and courage.