Why this?

One of the main things single moms communicate to us is how they feel disconnected from the church.

Through this monthly series, The Single Mom Year, we will be giving you practical ideas on how to minister to single moms on a monthly basis.

These are basic ideas to help you let them know that they are loved by God and your church.

Everyone’s goal in fatherless family ministry should be to point them to God. He is the only constant they will have in this life. But once they learn to cling to him, it will be a transformative habit in their lives!

These practical monthly tips will help your church point them to God by showing them the love from your church on a regular basis!

Some single-mom data:
 

“In 2011 there were 10 million single mothers living with children younger than 18 in 2011, up from 3.4 million in 1970." - The U.S. Census Bureau

“49% of single mothers have never married, 51% are either divorced, separated or widowed. Half have one child, 30% have two." -  The U.S. Census Bureau

These statistics show us that there are millions of single moms all over the place! A large majority of these single moms have been an unreached people group across the United States. Most single moms need and want encouragement for themselves and their children from the Christians around them, but sadly many do not ever receive it.

Look what these single moms had to say…

“My Church is ________________ in MA. We are a small church, probably less than 50 families in membership, and as far as I know, I’m the only young widow with children. I do know of 1 other family with kids and no father in the home. We also occationally have kids attend out Wed. night youth programs who do not have a father in the home. My husband died in 2012 after fighting cancer for many years. My kids were 7, 9, and 11 when their dad died. Today they are 12(boy) 15(girl) and 17(girl) I have never mentioned having a ministry to fatherless children at my church, since there are very few, but I know it would benefit my son especially. I once had a conversation with a man who worked with me during our Wed night ministry. We were discussing a boy who was in our group who was having some behavior issues. He was a fatherless boy. The man said about this boy, “ it’s unfortunate, but these kids are a victim of their circumstances”...I was very hurt by that comment. I’m pretty sure that this man forgot that my own kids were in the same situation. I think a lot of people forget that my kids are fatherless. With that type of comment though, It seems that people think they can’t help/minister to them. Thank you for showing a concern, and I’m relieved to know that there is hope..." - Melanie, a single mom in Massachusetts

“I have been a single mom, basically since my son was a baby. His dad wasn’t there during his birth (he drove home with my car and went to bed.) He later told me how he was plotting to move out while we were in the hospital. He was an abusive, unrepentant serial adulterer. I have been raising my boy alone. It’s been hard since I have no family willing to really help. God has been kind and provided for us. I am in another hard situation right now and feel so alone. I feel my church has been apathetic to my son- some people, down right dismissive and unkind. I am seeking help for mentorship- someone who actually cares about fatherless boys with gaping holes in their hearts. Thank you." - Kim, a single mom in California

What if Melanie & Kim’s churches on opposite sides of the United States began practicing “pure religion” by visiting them and their children, as we are led to in James 1:27?

Imagine if the single moms in your church and community were ministered to consistently throughout the year. 

• How would this change their perspective of your church?
• How would this change their view of God?
• How would this change their children’s future?

In this series, you will gain a better understanding of the struggles single moms face throughout the year, why you or your church should help them, and ideas for each month on how to minister to them!

Let’s go on this journey together!

Please contact us and let us know if we can help you in any way as you strive to practice pure religion in ministering to the fatherless families in your circles of influence! We are just here to help!

Click here to learn more about launching a single mom ministry at your church: Start a Single Mom Support Group.

-Sean Teis