Moms who pray together, and for each other – and who understand the spiritual and community benefits of gathering – find that connection matters.
They meet locally in groups – large and small – and find ways to give to each other and the region, and do so through prayer, outreach, and through the hopes that they will grow closer to Jesus in their journey, and lead others to Him as well.
Two area groups, River Region MOPS and Moms in Prayer, set this example, providing a support network for women on their journeys as moms and their walk with Christ.
River Region MOPS (Anna Sweet, coordinator)
KK: Briefly describe your ministry.
AS: MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. The group previously was geared towards mothers of children prenatal to five, but now as we transition to the MomCo by MOPS (International), we are open to mothers of any age or stage. We meet as a whole group twice a month to build community, connection, and support for each other. During these meetings, we host a variety of speakers on topics including women’s health, spiritual growth, and connecting with local community organizations that support parents. We also set aside a certain number of meetings to participate in craft projects and service projects together. Monthly playdate meet-ups and Mom’s Night Out events are also offered in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings.
KK: Why is a ministry like yours important for moms?
AS: Motherhood is hard, but it doesn’t have to be lonely! So much of mothering is often done alone with your children. For moms who don’t have a local support network of family or close friends, it can be incredibly isolating and overwhelming. MOPS provides easy access to a group of women who are all going through similar struggles and life experiences. It provides a group to lean on when you just don’t know how to solve a specific parenting problem, need some advice, or just need to vent and be encouraged.
KK: What do you hope moms gain from your ministry?
AS: Our hope is to meet moms wherever they are in their journey and to encourage them to take that next step towards a closer relationship with Jesus, however that may look. While many of the moms in our group come from solid faith backgrounds, we also have several who are new to the idea of what it means to trust in Christ and to have a personal relationship with Him. Just this year, we have had a few moms who were not attending church on a regular basis decide to start attending services at our host church, Young Meadows Presbyterian, and other local congregations that the moms in our group attend as well.
KK: What Bible verse best represents your work?
AS: Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)
KK: What do you hope moms take from your ministry in ways that can help or serve others?
AS: (Mission Statement) MOPS encourages and equips moms to realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church.
MOPS focuses on building a safe, encouraging space that will help our members realize the potential they have in becoming better women, mothers, and leaders in the group and the local community. Part of the beautiful thing about how MOPS runs is that we are a ministry by moms for moms. The leadership team is comprised of ladies who step up from within the group and take on additional responsibilities to ensure that the group can keep running no matter what. Many of our military moms are only here for a few years, and they are able to be involved in a MOPS group pretty much wherever they end up. The similarity in group structure worldwide allows them to step directly into serving even when they will only be somewhere for a short period. We want to continually be raising up the next generation of leaders from within to ensure that this ministry will thrive for many years in the future.
Another important part of MOPS is our focus on giving back to our local community. Each year, we facilitate at least one major service project, as well as meet any other needs brought to our attention to the best of our ability. Some examples of recent projects we coordinated include: helping a newly single mom find a job, childcare, and securing her housing and transportation; raising funds for a local family whose child needed open heart surgery; providing meals for a family while their newborn infant was in the local NICU following a premature emergency birth; hosting a diaper drive to stock Closet of Love (a local fostering ministry); and stocking the freezer for a family in need during the Christmas season.
Interested in learning more about River Region MOPS?
They meet September through May, first and third Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, 5780 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery.
Website: https://www.mops.org/groups/riverregionmops
Email: riverregionmops334@gmail.com
Moms in Prayer (Hannah Jones, Regional Coordinator)
KK: Briefly describe your ministry.
HJ: Our mission at Moms in Prayer is to impact children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray. Our vision is that every school in the world be covered with prayer.
KK: Why is a ministry like yours important for moms?
HJ: The Moms in Prayer ministry provides support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children. The one hour of prayer we spend together each week gives us hope as we “stand in the gap” for our children. Because if we aren’t praying for them, who else is?
KK: What do you hope moms gain from your ministry?
HJ: We hope that moms experience a greater glimpse of God’s glory and a greater understanding of who He is. God’s power is released as moms pray God’s word over their children and are able witness answers to their prayers through His promises.
KK: What Bible verse best represents your work?
HJ: The founder of Moms in Prayer, Fern Nichols, was compelled by the Holy Spirit to begin praying for her two boys as they were entering junior high school. God gave Fern the scripture verse from Lamentations 2:19 to claim for her boys, our founding verse for Moms in Prayer.
Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.
KK: What do you hope moms take from your ministry in ways that can help or serve others?
HJ: We pray that moms develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of how prayer matters. Prayer it is not something just simply said at a meal or with our children at bedtime. As daughters and sisters of Christ, we have access to the throne room of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We hope that moms experience their greatest joy as they lay their children at Jesus’ feet and desire to tell others what He has done!
Interested in learning more about Moms in Prayer?
Moms in Prayer meets at Trinity Presbyterian School, Thursday mornings, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Group Leader: Vickie Wilson
Email: thequeen_victoria@yahoo.com
Moms in Prayer Regional Coordinator
Hannah Jones
Email: hannahjonesmip@yahoo.com
Website: https://momsinprayer.org
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