Single Parent Ministries

08/31/2026

🧰Ministry Training Resource Spotlight
🎲Survival Mode: Empathy Training Game

One of the greatest challenges in serving single parents is understanding the realities they face every day.

Many ministry leaders have never experienced the impossible choices that often come with raising children alone while navigating poverty, unreliable transportation, limited childcare, housing instability, or an unexpected financial crisis.

That's why Survival Mode was created.

Developed by our own Michelle Killingham, this interactive training experience was designed to help ministry teams step into the shoes of a single parent and experience the difficult decisions many families face every day.
Research consistently shows that single-parent households experience poverty at significantly higher rates than two-parent households. Understanding those challenges helps us move beyond assumptions and serve with greater compassion, wisdom, and grace.
This isn't just a game.

It's a conversation starter. An empathy builder. A leadership training tool.

When we take the time to better understand the people we're serving, we're better equipped to build meaningful relationships and point families to the hope of Christ.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Stephen R. Covey

Whether you're training volunteers, equipping small group leaders, or preparing your church to launch a single parent ministry, Survival Mode is a powerful resource to help your team serve with empathy, not assumptions.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Order Here 👇
https://jm-event-planning.kyte.site/en/p/survival-mode-empathy-training-game/1772288981561-GCups

08/27/2026

Purchase your copy of Reimagining Church As Family 👇
https://a.co/d/0cVVfvdx

08/24/2026

💡Rethinking... Small Groups

There isn't one "right" way to structure small groups. The best model is the one that fits your volunteers, your ministry, and the needs of the single parents you're serving.

📚 Option 1: Multiple Studies
Best for: Churches with enough volunteers to lead several groups.

Offer different studies at the same time, allowing moms to choose what best fits their current season. This option meets people where they are and gives them ownership over their spiritual growth.

👥 Option 2: One Study, Multiple Discussion Groups
Best for: Larger ministries.

Everyone works through the same curriculum but breaks into groups of 5–8 with one or two leaders for discussion. This way there's shared teaching with enough space for everyone to be heard.

🎤 Option 3: One Teaching, One Large Group
Best for: Smaller or close-knit ministries.

Teach one lesson together, rotating different leaders each week, followed by open discussion. The different teaching styles keep things engaging, and group conversations allow moms to learn from one another's experiences.

🌱 Just Getting Started?
Don't wait until you have a large ministry!
One table. One leader. A few moms.
God often grows ministries one relationship at a time!

⭐ Pro Tip
Whenever possible, assign two leaders to each small group. Consistent leadership creates a safe environment where moms feel comfortable sharing the personal parts of their stories.

Remember: The goal isn't simply to finish a curriculum. It's to help people grow in Christ while building authentic relationships.

08/20/2026

💛 Because of You...

Every church equipped. Every ministry launched. Every volunteer trained. Every single parent welcomed.

It all begins with people who believe in this mission.

To everyone who has prayed, shared our resources, or given financially, thank you! Your generosity is helping churches become places where single parents are seen, supported, and pointed to the hope of Christ.

As we continue training and equipping churches across the country, we're reminded that ministry is never accomplished by one person. God works through His people.

If you believe every single parent deserves a church family that understands their unique challenges, we invite you to partner with us.

Your generosity helps provide:
💙 Ministry training for churches
💛 Resources for leaders and volunteers
💙 Practical tools that equip churches to serve single-parent families with excellence

Together, we can help more churches become places where single parents don't just attend, they belong.

Thank you for believing in this mission and for making an eternal impact.

To support the work of Single Parent Ministries visit 👇
https://app.betterunite.com/singleparentministries

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give... for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Always On Giving Page

08/17/2026

☀️Monday Ministry Tip☀️
🤏Start Small Start Faithfully

One of the biggest mistakes churches make is believing they need everything in place before they can begin.

You don't need a large budget. You don't need 20 volunteers. You don't need the perfect curriculum.

You simply need a willingness to take the first step.

Maybe that first step looks like:
✅ Inviting three single moms to coffee.
✅ Starting a monthly support group.
✅ Recruiting one or two committed volunteers.
✅ Hosting a simple dinner.
✅ Praying consistently for the families God will send.

Every thriving ministry started somewhere. Don't despise small beginnings. God often grows ministries one faithful step at a time!

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." - Zechariah 4:10

08/11/2026

🎉 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN, WEST MICHIGAN!

Single Parent Ministries is coming to the Grand Rapids area this fall for our West Michigan Church & Leader Training! 💙💛

Join us for a full day designed to equip pastors, church leaders, ministry teams, and volunteers with the biblical foundation, practical tools, and understanding needed to effectively reach, disciple, and walk alongside single parent families.

Throughout the day, we’ll talk about:
• Getting your whole church ready
• Understanding the unique needs of single parents and their children
• Discipling single dads
• Poverty, diversity, and trauma
• Our interactive Survival Mode experience
• Practical next steps for launching or strengthening your ministry
• Panel discussion, Q&A, and more!

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
📍Keystone Community Church

Whether your church already has a single parent ministry or you’re wondering where to even begin, bring your team. This training is about more than starting a program, it’s about equipping the Church to see, reach, and disciple families who are too often overlooked.

Register Now 👇

https://app.betterunite.com/singleparentministries-westmichiganchurchandleadertraining

08/10/2026

☀️Monday Ministry Tip☀️
🙏Pray Before You Plan

It's easy to start with calendars, budgets, curriculum, and volunteer schedules.

But the most effective ministry strategy doesn't begin in a planning meeting, it begins in prayer!

Before choosing a study, Pray for the moms who will walk through your doors.
Before recruiting volunteers, Pray for the people God is calling to serve.
Before planning events, Pray for the families God wants to reach.

Once your team is in place gather together before your ministry launches. Pray over your leaders, the rooms where you'll meet, the classrooms where the children will be, and every family God is preparing to send.

Years ago, I helped a church launch a single moms ministry. We expected moms to start attending right away. Instead, every week, it was just our leaders. At first, it felt discouraging. But looking back, I believe God had a different plan. He used that first year to unite us in prayer, build our team, and prepare our hearts. The next year, He began bringing the moms.

Sometimes God prepares the ministry before He fills it.

As ministry grows, continue making prayer a priority. Stay an extra 30 minutes after each group meeting. Use that time to pray with any moms who need additional encouragement, lift up prayer requests that came up during the evening, and pray over your leadership team before everyone heads home.

This has been one of the greatest blessings for our team. Setting aside intentional time to pray together after each group has strengthened our leaders, deepened our unity, and reminded us that God is the One doing the work.

Don't underestimate what God can do through a praying team. Prayer is the foundation He uses to build a ministry that lasts!

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1

08/08/2026

📢 West Michigan... we're coming home!

We're so excited to announce that Single Parent Ministries will be hosting a West Michigan Church & Leader Training this fall!

Whether you're already serving single parents, exploring how to start a ministry, or simply have a heart for this mission, this training is for you.

🗓 Save the Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
📍 Keystone Community Church | Grand Rapids Area

Registration opens August 10, so stay tuned for more details and the registration link!

We can't wait to gather with churches from across West Michigan as we equip leaders and strengthen ministries to better serve single-parent families.

08/06/2026

Comment your answer below ⬇️

08/03/2026

☀️MONDAY MINISTRY TIP☀️
🖍Back-to-School Is Ministry

For many families, the back-to-school season is exciting. But for many single moms, it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year.

School supplies. Shoes. Clothes. Backpacks. Headphones. Haircuts. Sports fees. Lunch accounts... the list can feel overwhelming, especially for single parents raising multiple children on their own.

Don't let this season pass by unnoticed. Take a moment to ask a single mom in your church,

"How can we help your family get ready for the school year?"

If your church has the resources, consider hosting a back-to-school outreach or giveaway. Invite your congregation to donate backpacks, new shoes, or Walmart and Amazon gift cards throughout the summer. Because school supply lists vary, gift cards allow families to purchase exactly what their children need.

Use the gifts God has already placed within your church!

Do you have members who work in cosmetology or barbering who could provide free haircuts or braids?

Could local businesses partner by donating supplies or services?

Make the event fun with games, food, music, and activities so children associate your church with a place where they are loved, welcomed, and cared for.

A back-to-school event is also a wonderful outreach opportunity. As families come for practical support, invite them to your fall single parent ministry, support group, or upcoming family events. A simple invitation and a warm welcome can be the beginning of a life-changing relationship.

And if your church doesn't have the resources to host a large event, don't let that discourage you. Helping one single-parent family with school supplies, shoes, or a gift card is a tremendous blessing and a powerful expression of Christ's love.

Whether you're serving one family or one hundred, every act of generosity reminds a parent they are not walking this journey alone.❤️