How do you describe a feeling of utter joy and amazement? Sometimes you need to look back to be able to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness in the present. It was Fall of 2019 and I asked Jess Sanders to go out for Mexican food. Over chips and salsa, I gave her the big ask, “Would you pray about launching a new mom’s ministry at Hebron that exists for the purpose of reaching moms of littles and spreading the Gospel beyond our walls?” Jess Sanders, in the midst of being a mom of three little boys, boldly and obediently said yes over the next few weeks. Over months of prayer, discussion, think-tank meetings, reading, talking, and brainstorming; All Moms was birthed! Meredith DeWalt came on the scene brand new at Hebron and I recall Jess saying to me “I’ve found my woman! My partner for this!” God was faithful to provide. In the midst of the pandemic in October 2020, we obediently were trying to launch All Moms at Hebron. I remember walking with a friend in the late summer of 2020, tearing up and saying, “it will never happen! NEVER. No one is going to come to this. We will be masked. All this work (for nothing).” I was despondent. God was faithful and good. Trials and hardship are never for nothing. God had a plan. It was unfolding. He was going to bring this ministry about.
The one photo depicts Jess in the Barclay waiting for moms to arrive on our first night. The table seating was distanced, masks were on, and all were nervous and giddy that it was happening. People were finding us on our website “All Moms” – and they began to flow in. Our first semester we had approx. 16 moms registered. The ministry reaches Hebron women (birth to K moms) as well as those outside our doors. People bring friends and neighbors. Sometimes they are even cold contacts or women from other churches. Each and every year we stand amazed at how people find us in search engines on the web because they are “looking for community” in a moms group! Some are Christians. Some are not. Some are happy in the stage of motherhood and some are really struggling and need this kind of connection.
September 16, we began our sixth season of All Moms! They keep coming. According to my records, we have reached 110 different women who have come through the doors of All Moms in five years. How encouraging is that? This Fall, we have 32 moms registered and there is excitement and a newness in the air.
All Moms is a ministry of Hebron designed to uplift and encourage moms in the unique stage of caring for young children from pregnancy to kindergarten. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month during the school year (7:00 PM to 8:30 PM). We have play dates, moms nights out, and mentoring times during coffee chats in my home. We point moms to the revitalizing truth of the Gospel while speaking to specific topics related to motherhood. We engage in meaningful conversations to pursue spiritual growth and personal development. We have fun in a community designed to help us embrace all of motherhood with a joyful hope. Jillian Morrow and Jess Cline are now the co-directors.
Thank you, Hebron Church for these past five years, for seeing to it that this ministry remains vital and strong! We are reaching people with the hope of the Gospel, strengthening Christian mothers and families, and providing a space where meaningful relationships happen. Thank you for your prayers and support. God is doing a good, good thing – how faithful He is and how kind all these years to Hebron and to these families. It’s all for the praise of His glory that we do this.
By: Kelly Knapp