Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. MOPS also encourages and supports moms through resources such as books, this website and the MOPS International Membership.

What Is A MOPS Group?

MOPS groups are communities that strive to meet the needs of every mom with children from birth through kindergarten. MOPS recognizes that urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be. MOPS groups can help!

There are more than 3900 MOPS groups meeting across the United States and in 35 countries around the world. MOPS groups meet regularly to celebrate the joys of motherhood and to encourage each other through the challenges

Each MOPS group adapts to fit the size and "personality" of the group's population. For example…

MOPS groups may vary in size from 10 to 200 women.
MOPS groups meet as often as once a week, and as infrequently as once a month; groups meet during the day, in the evenings, or on weekends. Most groups meet during the school year, while some meet year-round.
MOPS groups meet in small and large buildings, using the space and resources that are available.

MOPS groups are chartered through local faith-based organizations, including churches and parachurch ministries. While each group is different, the MOPS program is built on several foundational principles:

Community: MOPS provides an open, caring, and accepting atmosphere where women can come together to share this important season of life.
Mentoring: Mature women listen, encourage, and offer information and perspectives gained through experience.
Practical Instruction: Teaching focuses on areas of common interest, offering inspiration and information that is relevant to the life of a mother.
Leadership Development: MOPS groups are organized and run by mothers of preschoolers, as well as for mothers of preschoolers. Women who are involved in MOPS gain confidence in their leadership skills through the training and experience they receive from MOPS.

The above principles can be carried out through different aspects of a MOPS group:

Discussion: The intimate and accepting atmosphere of a small group offers moms a chance to share their successes, failures, questions, and concerns. It is during these times that a mom realizes that she is not alone, and lifelong friendships are formed.
Teaching: Topics presented at MOPS meetings celebrate motherhood and meet a mom's unique needs during this season of life.
Creative Activities: Through creative projects and presentations, women are encouraged to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with trying and finishing new things.
MOPPETS: During most MOPS meetings, children are cared for in a program called MOPPETS, where they experience love in a preschool-like setting.

"What MOPS has provided for me… is a welcome break; a chance to make new friends; the opportunity to know I'm not the only mom who goes through the struggles and joys of raising young children…"

Purpose Statement

MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

MOPS International Faith Position Statement

MOPS International is a Christian non-profit organization that believes in working with local Christian churches/parachurches to maximize ministry opportunities to God’s Kingdom. MOPS programs are chartered in churches of many different denominations and Christian traditions, but all share the common desire to reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to bring glory to God in everything.

Churches/parachurches and individual MOPS ministry leaders must embrace and agree on the basic, orthodox truths of the Christian faith and the essential issues of salvation. We believe the Bible is the foundation for these truths. It is God’s Word, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is authoritative on all matters on which it speaks. MOPS International is committed to telling the truth of the saving work of Jesus Christ, of God’s grace to mankind, of the reality of the Trinity and the role of the Church in God’s plan for the world. These foundational Christian beliefs are reflected in many of the historic church creeds.

By agreeing with this statement a church is affirming that they too believe in and teach the foundational truths of the Christian gospel. Because these beliefs are foundational to the ministry of MOPS International, MOPS International reserves the right to have final authority on the granting of Charters.

We believe:

There is one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, Matthew 28:19). We believe Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man (Matthew 1:18&23).
The Bible is the foundation for these truths. It is God's Word, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is authoritative on all matters on which it speaks (II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 3:16-17).
Jesus came into this world to redeem us by offering himself as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins; he died for us; and he demonstrated his victory over sin and death by rising physically from the dead and ascending to heaven (Romans 5:8-9, Romans 6:23, I Corinthians 15:1-4).
The result of this saving work of Christ is that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16).
We further believe that the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption will begin with the visible personal return of Christ to judge the world and separate believers and unbelievers forever, and will culminate in a new creation (Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:15, Romans 6:23).
We believe that God chooses to work through the believers in his church and that we are called to evangelism and discipling of believers within the fellowship of the church (Matthew 28:19-20, I Peter 2:9).

MOPS International Values

The MOPS International Purpose Statement is reflected in the following values and should be observable in the MOPS organization, ministry and communications.

Organizational Values:

Excellence: The achievement of organizational excellence by conducting all the affairs of the ministry in accordance with biblical principles, sound management, personal and organizational integrity, financial stewardship, and empowerment of the staff to accomplish organizational outcomes.
Heritage: The historical MOPS group structure serves as a model for ministry.
Faith Position Statement: A commitment to the MOPS International Faith Position Statement.
Partnerships/Alliances: Partnership/Alliances where individual strengths are shared for a common purpose.
Local Church: A relationship with the local church, embracing a spectrum of diverse denominations, which are in agreement with our Faith Position Statement.
Governance: The building of the board to model good governance, ensure the election of qualified and committed directors, constantly refine the Standing Policies Manual, and inform board members of major developments.

Ministry Values:

Dignity: The dignity of each human life and of each individual mother of preschoolers, no matter where she has been, what she has done or how she is choosing to live her life today, embracing both believers and nonbelievers and all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
Women: The equipping of women to become all that God has designed them to be.
Mothering: The value of mothering for its contribution to individuals, children, society at large, future generations and eternity.
Relationships: Relationships including the male/female marital relationship, the parent/child relationship, and the ultimate fulfillment of all needs through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Lifestyle Evangelism: Lifestyle evangelism as expressed through Christ-like relationships in an environment for growth and spiritual development as faith shared through actions and words.
Leadership Development: The equipping of women to gain confidence in their leadership skills and guide others through lifestyle evangelism.