[Note: This post is taken from an article by Herb Reese entitled, “A Comprehensive Church-Based Ministry to Fatherless Boys.”]
I have been focusing on ministering to fatherless boys in our churches. But how do we reach unchurched fatherless boys? Here are some ideas.
Focus on Ministries that Naturally Draw Fatherless Boys to Your Church
One of the best ways to reach unchurched fatherless boys is to focus on ministries that draw the fatherless into churches. I’ll start with the most obvious.
- Single moms ministries
New Commandment Men’s Ministries has helped 1,000 churches across America form teams of four men each who adopt widows, single moms, and their fatherless children. They donate two hours of service by working around their homes one Saturday morning a month, returning each month to the same home. In this way the teams develop a relational ministry with their care receivers, including their fatherless children.
The Life of a Single Mom sponsors support groups in churches across America, and provides an online “Single Mom University,” that covers a multitude of topics relevant to single moms. In order to make it easy for the single mothers to attend the group, the church provides child care for their fatherless children. Older children of these single moms are excellent mentor opportunities.
For examples of other single mom ministries, see my post, “Parachurch and Church-Based Single Moms Ministries“
AWANA is a popular children’s parachurch ministry with a large focus on scripture memory. I have seen this ministry used as an effective outreach into the community for the following reason: it usually meets at the church for two hours on weekday evenings.
AWANA meeting on weekday evenings is significant because my observation has been that non-Christian parents, especially single moms, often use AWANA for free babysitting, resulting in a good percentage of fatherless children attending.
- Church sports and camps
Since fatherless boys make up at least 20% of all boys, any church activities that attract boys from the community, like church basketball leagues, softball leagues, and camps will inevitably also attract fatherless boys, especially teens.
Reach Unchurched Fatherless Boys by Utilizing National and Regional Ministries
National and regional ministries to fatherless boys provide excellent expertise on how to reach fatherless boys in your community. Here are some examples of successful national and regional ministries to fatherless boys:
Provides extensive research on fatherlessness.
“We believe the local church is the best institution to reach the fatherless locally. We are working to partner with at least one church in every county of the United States. Through partnership we provide speaking, consulting, insights and training, and physical products to help you do ministry!”
“Mentor fathers and boys meet four times a month and, using these tools, gain insight and understanding, serve others, worship, and plan a special outdoor activity (camping, hunting, fishing, riding, whatever they decide to do together) so they have a year-end ‘rite of passage’ celebration to prepare for and look forward to.”
Provides resources for churches to use in ministering to the fatherless.
“Our mission is to reach, inspire, support, and engage young men from fatherless and single parent homes in understanding their purpose as Christian men and helping break the fatherless cycle in society today.”
“In 2007 the Men’s group at Coast Hills Church in Aliso Viejo, CA was challenged to address the needs of fatherless boys in their community. In response, a local business owner, Andy Schiller, was moved to answer the call. He recruited other like-minded men, contacted some single moms in the church and surrounding area and started meeting on Monday nights at the church. The moms dropped off their sons, and the mentors fed them, played sports and games and then ended with a Bible study that addressed real-life issues the boys faced every day, like loneliness, bullying and the challenge of standing up for their beliefs.”
“There are now six Mentor UP chapters throughout Orange County, serving over 50 boys each week, with plans to add several more chapters within a year, including reaching into Los Angeles and San Diego counties. We believe this vital ministry for fatherless boys will continue to grow according to God’s plan and with His timing.”
“If you are a single mother with sons, you likely recognize the need for your sons to have adult male role models. Find the resources you need to equip yourself as well as your sons’ coaches, Scoutmasters, Sunday School teachers and other mentors. Share these resources with your church staff and encourage them to help meet the needs of the fatherless boys.”
As you can see, there are a number of excellent ministries to fatherless boys that — by doing a little research — your church can either utilize directly or use as templates for your own custom designed ministry to reach unchurched fatherless boys.
Since 2003 New Commandment Men’s Ministries has helped hundreds of churches throughout North America and around the world recruit teams of men who permanently adopt widows, single moms and fatherless children in their congregations for the purpose of donating two hours of service to them one Saturday morning each month. We accomplish this with a free training site called New Commandment Men’s Ministry Learn how to mobilize your men’s ministry to meet every pressing need in your church at newcommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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