North Texas Pro-Life Advocacy Training

Passionate about protecting life? Your biggest impact starts right here in North Texas.

While many concerned pro-life advocates focus on Washington, D.C., most critical decisions are made every day at the Capitol in Austin by your own elected officials who represent you where you live. You don't need a trip to the nation's capital to make your voice heard — you can drive real policy change right from your home.

Join The Leadership Institute and Texans for Life for a free, hands-on training on civic engagement and effective grassroots lobbying.

Who: Pro-Life Citizens

What: Grassroots Lobby Training

When: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Where:  Cliff Nelson Recreation Center, 4600 W Bardin Rd, Arlington, TX 76017
Volunteers needed!  Click here to volunteer for this event.

CLICK HERE FOR FREE REGISTRATION (Deadline is Wednesday, November 18)

Cost: Free. Includes lunch, coffee and drinks, and snacks.

The Texas Legislature will meet at the Capitol in Austin for its next session from Tuesday, January 12, through Monday, May 31, 2027. This will be an opportunity for citizens to get involved with the members of the Legislature to protect innocent human lives 

You Will Learn to:

• Master the State Legislative Process: Understand how state laws are created through the legislative process.

• Lobby with Confidence: Learn proven tactics for persuasive, impactful meetings with elected officials, including your state senator and representative, and their staff.

• Prepare for the Next State Legislative Session: Get up to speed on key life-related policy issues, goals, and key players for the next legislative session.

Who Should Attend: Citizens, grassroots activists, and everyday Texans who want to defend the sanctity of life through public policy.

Dr. Joe Pojman has served as the president of Texans for Life since October 2025. Previously, he was the executive director and founder of Texas Alliance for Life, a role he held for nearly four decades. Recognized as one of the state's premier pro-life leaders, Dr. Pojman is a prominent advocate for pro-life legislation and a frequent commentator in public forums and the media.

Dena Espenscheid has over twenty years of professional political and policy experience and has held a variety of positions in public policy organizations and political campaigns.  During her first campaign, Dena was the Eastern Field Director for Vote Yes For Life, the nation’s first statewide pro-life ballot initiative in 2006.  In her last paid campaign, she served as Field Director for Donald J. Trump for President in Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland (2015-2016).  She has been a paid state and federal lobbyist and volunteered on campaigns as small as the school board. 

Jacquelyn Smith is the Director of Ablaze For Life and a Catholic pro-life educator and activist passionate about building a Culture of Life. She holds a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Theology both from the University of Dallas. With 25+ years’ experience in the movement, she has spoken to thousands of youth and adults, organized medical ethics conferences, executed chastity rallies, testified and lobbied for life affirming Texas legislation, written articles and directed youth pro-life leadership camps. Her topics have included abortion, fetal development, bioethics, chastity, Evangelium Vitae, dating, end of life and the need for life affirming approaches to a life limiting prenatal diagnosis. Her most important pro-life work is being a mom to 12 children: 6 on Earth and 6 in Heaven.

Leadership Institute – Founded in 1979 by its president, Morton C. Blackwell, the Leadership Institute (LI) teaches conservatives the nuts and bolts of how to succeed in the public policy process.

Texans for Life – Founded in 1982, Texans for Life is known as one of the state's premier pro-life organizations and has been involved in advocating for most of the state's effective laws.