Neighborhood Ministries

Mothers Clubs-Mothers who do not work may feel isolated and become frustrated with no social interaction besides their kids, especially if their husband is gone all day at work and even more so if they are a single parent and have no other adult interaction. Today, many mothers no longer have family living nearby to help. Since families are having fewer children, many mothers did not grow up with younger siblings and did not learn to care for children. As a result, they need help learning to manage their kids. They are glad to get together with other mothers who can help them to deal with the problems they face caring for young children. In addition, many parents no longer let their kids roam the neighborhood and it gives children the opportunity to play together and learn to deal with others. Mobile home parks, apartment complexes, and new neighborhoods often have a lot of families with young children, and are fertile for neighborhood mother’s clubs. It is good to have an older church woman whose kids are grown who can work with the young church mother who hosts the group to help her deal with problems she hasn’t experienced yet. Older unmarried college age girls can help watch the kids and keep them occupied while their mothers meet giving them valuable experience dealing with kids, or the mothers may take turns watching the kids if no one else is available. You may also have older women whose kids are grown teach a children’s Bible Club for the children of the mothers who participate and other neighborhood children who wish to attend. Since many households in poor areas are single parent households, there is also a need for social and spiritual ministry to the mothers, but many churches aren’t interested in reaching out to the mothers. Churches often only provide  children’s activities one day a week, but because of the neighborhood environment in poor areas, mothers have to keep close watch on their kids. As a result, the mothers take the time during after school programs for washing and cleaning. Such neighborhoods may require more work with the kids to free mothers for time to get together. Unfortunately, many of those that do run outside ministries do it to attract people to support their failing church and not to minister to those who are in need. Christ cared for the lost and ministered to the needs He met. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and comforted those who grieved to meet their needs, not just to get them to follow Him and He calls the church to do the same.