This weekend was well spent at the National Life of a Single Mom’s Conference.
Yes, I attended a Single Mom’s conference.
I know I’m not a single mom – I’m a married mom.
BTW – Will and I celebrated 19 years on Labor Day – (whoop whoop!) My attendance was not a projection – God willing, I plan to grow good and old with my man (smile.)
Bottom line, I have a heart for ministry to women and when I come across outreach that sees a true need and then applies the Word of God, the heart of God, and the hands of God to address those needs – I’m drawn to it.
Isn’t that really what ministry is – meeting needs?
There are 15 million single mothers in the United States. Single mothers have unique challenges that impact their lives and the lives of their children.
What specific and consistent ministry does your local church provide to this demographic?
The Life of a Single Mom is laser focused on addressing these needs through direct outreach to single mothers, and the provision of training and resources to help churches develop their ministry to single mothers. They do great godly work.
I found out about The Life of A Single Mom at my Barnes and Noble book event earlier this year. I connected with an amazing young lady in attendance named Nicole. Nicole and I are different; I’m much older, we have different backgrounds and different life situations yet we connected and talked after the event like we knew each other.
Nicole had recently gone through a difficult life change that left her raising her young son alone. Her heart was so open. Nicole was pained, yet it was precious to see how God was healing and helping her. She shared she attended the National Life of A Single Mom Conference last year and went on and on about how it was the genesis for her finding her way back to God and finding a community of women who support each other. I was excited by her excitement about the event and ministry that helped her find her way back to God.
(What a testimony! Imagine if most ministry events had this kind of impact…)
So, a few weeks ago she Facebooked me about the conference. When I saw the classes, I registered – and after researching the organization, I signed up to work as a volunteer. (I wanted to support this work.)
Check out the class offerings this weekend.
- Building Wealth – Alton Jamison
- $5 Dinners – Erin Chase
- Men Raised by Women – John Dennis
- Being Healthy – Daurie Adcock
- Joy-Full Single Parenting – Misty Honnold
- Living Pure in an Impure World – Dr. Robbie Furdge
- Be Fearless – Jennifer Finnegan Pool
- Moving Past Your Past – Amy Ford
They offered classes that were relevant, practical, spiritual, and powerful. Each attendee attended two breakout sessions. I was drawn to the ‘Living Pure in an Impure World’ topic (one we explored with our youth at the GLBC Youth Empowerment Retreat) and “Be Fearless”.
Anointed! The teachers shared from the Word, their life walk, and from a clear volume of experience ministering to other women. It was so helpful and encouraging. The conference started and ended with worship and fellowship experiences were included throughout the weekend. TLSM also offered training for Single Mother Ministry Leaders. Three light meals and childcare with activities my daughter thoroughly enjoyed were also provided, along with opportunities to shop.
It was a wonderful weekend. To top it off, at the end of the the second session, Nicole tapped me on the shoulder. It was so good to see her and the joy of the Lord in her eyes!
I’m so glad I was in this place! The tangible connection and uplift among women, and the heartfelt encouragement to lean into God was filling.
We need the Lord and each other.
If you are a single mom or desire to support single mothers – check out The Life of a Single Mom at http://thelifeofasinglemom.com
