Single Parent Ministries

10/23/2026

A beautiful evening supporting brighter futures for single moms in West Michigan! ✨🙌

We attended Fashion for a Future in Grand Rapids, benefiting Hope for Single Moms. What a joy to enjoy a fun fashion show while celebrating the important work happening in West Michigan!

Dr. Carla Ludwig and her team help single moms pursue education, develop career skills, and explore opportunities including starting their own businesses. Through practical support, mentoring, and encouragement, they walk alongside moms as they build financial stability and lasting opportunities for their families.

We’ve seen that impact personally! One of the moms from our West Michigan Hub has been blessed with support and an opportunity to start her own business through Hope for Single Moms. That makes this mission especially close to our hearts. ❤️

Carla, thank you for believing in single moms and helping turn possibilities into opportunities. We are incredibly grateful for your organization and the lives you are helping change!

Thank God for our West Michigan community and the people faithfully using their gifts to help single-parent families thrive.

✴️Check out Hope for Single Moms’ page or visit https://hsmgr.org to learn more about their incredible work and how you can get involved!

10/22/2026

10/19/2026

💛Monday Ministry Tip💛
What keeps single parents from coming back?

Sometimes it is not a lack of interest.
Sometimes it is the weight they are carrying.
For many single parents, the barriers are very practical.

Childcare is one of the biggest. If we are asking single parents to attend a Bible study, support group, training, class, or church event, free childcare can make a huge difference. For many families, it is not just helpful, it is what makes attendance possible.

Transportation can be another major barrier. A mom may want to come, but if she is low on gas, has unreliable transportation, or is already trying to stretch every dollar, getting to group can feel impossible.

One practical idea is to create a small transportation fund. Even a $5 or $10 gas card each week may help a parent choose to come instead of staying home.

Another option is to think creatively with your team. If a leader or childcare volunteer is already driving to serve on ministry night, could they pick up a mom and her children on the way? Small solutions can remove big barriers.

And then there are the invisible barriers: shame, exhaustion, fear of being judged, or wondering if they really belong.

As churches, we have the opportunity to respond with empathy, not assumptions. No single parent should walk into our ministries and feel looked down on. They should feel seen, welcomed, and valued.

Follow-up matters too. When a new mom comes once and does not return, reach out. Let her know she was missed. Let her know she is still welcome. Let her know there is a place for her and her children.

The goal is not just invitation.
The goal is belonging.

10/12/2026

❤️ THANK YOU, WEST MICHIGAN!

What an incredible ministry weekend! Our hearts are full of gratitude as we reflect on both The Leader Connections Dinner on Thursday and West Michigan Church & Leader Training on Friday!

So much time, prayer, planning, and preparation went into making both events possible. From those who donated their time, talents, and resources to those who provided food, hospitality, and behind-the-scenes support, every contribution mattered!

So many little details came together to create space for meaningful connections, encouragement, and room for the Holy Spirit to move! Our prayer is that the impact reaches far beyond these gatherings and into our churches and communities. ❤️

A special thank you to the following churches and organizations represented at our training:

⛪ Churches:

Madison Church: North Campus
The Foundry Church
Lakeshore Vineyard Church
Central Church
Port City Church
Calvary Church
Hopkins Community Church
Trinity Baptist Church

🤝 Ministries & Organizations:

Psalm68five
Bethany Christian Services
Love INC of Muskegon
Higher Ground at Lake Louise
Divorce Support Anonymous
Community Teams
Alpha Grand Rapids
Growing Into Men
Limitless Youth Ministry

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend possible!

❤️ Keystone Community Church for graciously hosting us, and Sam (sound) and Seth (facilities)!

❤️ Our panelists for sharing their wisdom, experiences, and hearts for ministry. Mike Miller, Carol Lubs, Bruce Johnson, Staal, and Kathey Batey.

❤️ Scott and Relivit Media for capturing special moments from the weekend!

❤️ Our team, volunteers, and generous supporters who gave their time, resources, food, hospitality, and countless hours behind the scenes.

And THANK YOU to everyone who attended! Your willingness to learn, connect, and better serve single-parent families is what makes gatherings like these so meaningful.

Our prayer is that the relationships formed and seeds planted this weekend will continue to grow into lasting ministry partnerships and meaningful impact throughout our communities.

Because when we better understand the people we are called to serve, we can better reflect the love of Christ to them. ❤️

To God be the glory for all He has done and all that is still to come! 🌱

10/12/2026

💛Monday Ministry Tip💛

Single parent ministry is not only about supporting parents. The children are being discipled too.

They are watching how the Church treats their family. They are learning whether church is a safe place. They are forming ideas about God, community, belonging, and love. That means kids’ programming is not just childcare. It is ministry.

We want church to become one of the places children think of as safe, fun, joyful, and full of people who love them. When kids enjoy coming, they are more likely to engage, learn about Jesus, build healthy relationships, and even encourage their parents to keep coming back.

It is also important to remember that many single-parent families have walked through hard or traumatic situations, and the children may be carrying some of that too.

Whenever possible, build your children’s ministry with extra care:
📌Have consistent volunteers.
📌Create a welcoming environment.
📌Make space for fun and connection.
📌Train leaders to respond with patience and compassion.
📌Include extra support people when available.
📌Invite those with experience in trauma-informed care, special needs, counseling, education, or children’s ministry to help strengthen the team.

When we care well for the children, we are caring for the whole family. Don’t just create a place for parents to heal. Create a place where their children can belong, grow, and encounter Jesus too.

10/08/2026

Ministry leaders, this one is especially for you.💛

The ENGAGE Newsletter was created to encourage and equip single parent ministry leaders with practical tools, real-life stories, proven strategies, and resources you can actually use.

Whether your church is just beginning to dream about single parent ministry or you’re already serving families week after week, ENGAGE is designed to help you lead with more confidence, compassion, and clarity!

Subscribe today and get ministry encouragement delivered straight to your inbox.

ENGAGE: a newsletter for single parent ministry leaders Practical tools, real-life stories, and proven strategies delivered straight to your inbox.

10/06/2026

⭐️ Meet the Speakers for our West Michigan Church & Leader Training

We are so excited for this incredible lineup of ministry leaders bringing years of experience!

Each speaker will bring a different perspective, but one shared heart: to equip churches to better reach, support, and disciple single-parent families.

Throughout the day, we’ll cover biblical foundations, practical ministry models, whole-church readiness, the unique needs of single parents and their children, the long game of care, navigating poverty/diversity/trauma (Including The Survival Mode Experience), discipling single dads and more!

This training is designed for church leaders, staff, volunteers, and anyone who wants to make a lasting impact in the lives of single-parent families.

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
📍 Keystone Community Church | Grand Rapids, MI
⏰ 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

⏳️ Time is running out to register!
Come learn, connect, and be equipped to make a difference. 👇
https://app.betterunite.com/singleparentministries-westmichiganchurchandleadertraining

10/05/2026

🍂Monday Ministry Tip🍂

If your church is already hosting a Trunk-or-Treat, fall festival, harvest party, or community night this month? Don’t miss the opportunity to intentionally connect with single-parent families.

Many single parents are looking for safe, fun, affordable things to do with their children. A church event may be one of the easiest doors for them to walk through.

Use that moment wisely!
Have a information table, flyer with a QR code, or an invite card available that lets families know about your single parent ministry, support group, family night, meal, or upcoming gathering.

Pro Tip: Consider making each trunk more than a decorated car. What if each trunk told a story, shared a biblical truth, or created a small interactive moment for kids? Instead of only costumes and candy, churches can use creativity to point families toward the love of Christ.

A fall event can be the bridge to deeper connection, discipleship, and community.

10/04/2026

⭐️ We’re excited to highlight Kathey Batey, one of the local experts who will be featured on our panel at the Equipped for Single Parent Family Ministry: West Michigan Church & Leader Training

Kathey brings wisdom and experience in walking alongside individuals and families navigating separation, divorce, mediation, and difficult relational seasons.

During our panel, Kathey will help churches think through how to minister with compassion, biblical hope, and practical care to families facing separation and divorce.

These are conversations the Church cannot afford to avoid. Many single-parent families are walking through grief, transition, conflict, and major life changes and they need churches that know how to respond with both grace and truth.
We are grateful to have Kathey joining this important conversation.

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
📍 Keystone Community Church | Grand Rapids, MI
Register today and join us for the West Michigan Church & Leader Training!

10/03/2026

⭐️ We’re excited to highlight Michael Miller, one of the local experts who will be featured on our panel at the West Michigan Church & Leader Training.

Michael serves as the Executive Director of Love INC of Muskegon County, where he helps mobilize local churches to come alongside neighbors with practical help, meaningful relationships, and long-term support.

At our training, Michael will bring an important perspective to the conversation around the Church’s role in meeting tangible needs for single-parent families.

Single-parent ministry cannot only be about programs. Families often need the Church to step into real-life needs with wisdom, compassion, resources, and relationship.
We are grateful to have Michael join this conversation and help equip churches to serve single-parent families with dignity and practical care.

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
📍 Keystone Community Church | Grand Rapids, MI
Register today and join us for the West Michigan Church & Leader Training. 👇
https://app.betterunite.com/singleparentministries-westmichiganchurchandleadertraining