During a recent prayer walk on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, while members of Love Life’s national leadership team were in town, a powerful moment unfolded: a mom chose life outside the abortion center. This decision was the fruit of prayer and the faithful, consistent presence of the church. It’s moments like these that remind us why this mission matters. When the church shows up, God moves.
8 Mile Road, long known as a dividing line in Detroit, is now becoming a place of unity and life.
Why Detroit Needs the Church
Detroit is not just another city. It is one of the most urgent mission fields in the nation when it comes to the issue of abortion. The abortion rate in the city is approximately 50.6 per 1,000 women of reproductive age, nearly four times the national average. In fact, 23 percent of all abortions in the state of Michigan occur in Detroit.
In 2023 alone, Michigan recorded nearly 31,241 abortions statewide, with Wayne County (where Detroit is located) averaging 31.2 abortions per 1,000 women. These numbers are staggering, and they reveal a deeper spiritual and moral crisis that requires the presence of the Church.
Much of the fruit being seen in Detroit is the result of the steady, faithful labor of Roy and Jill Roy. For nearly five years, they have helped lead the charge with humility, conviction, and consistency. They have built trust with local pastors and laid a foundation that is now bearing lasting fruit. Roy’s powerful testimony can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuO0pgW-f0U
That fruit was on full display throughout the week: a packed volunteer meeting; a pastors’ luncheon full of energy and vision; a powerful prayer walk that resulted in a life being saved; and a special night at the Tigers ballpark where local pastors were honored for standing for life. The team also exposed an abortion center hidden in a strip mall: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL-ICHbM83j/. God is moving in Detroit, and the team is praying and believing for even more in the days ahead.