Holding Space for a Single Mother's Ministry at Christ Wesleyan Church: A Community Advocacy Discussion

[Audio] Holding Space for a Single Mother's Ministry at Christ Wesleyan Church: A Community Advocacy Discussion Created by Pamela Kriton, School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University Narrated by AI.

[Audio] Community Advocacy encompasses seven core competencies designed to promote and support social changes within a community (Lewis & Colleagues, 2003, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). These core competencies include identifying any unmet needs that require political intervention and action, developing appropriate goals and objectives to meet these needs, networking with stakeholders, and providing statistical information supporting the need for change while keeping communication open between subgroups for proper and adequate feedback that supports your goals and objectives (Lewis & Colleagues, 2003, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). Establishing a needs assessment in your community involves thoroughly understanding the identified problem area with unmet needs. Successfully advocating for single mothers and their children, therefore, requires an understanding of their needs and setting aside preconceived notions and ideas, including the common misconception that single mothers only want welfare. By understanding differences within the identified group, their individual demographics, and other social determinants contributing to the barriers and challenges they face, you are moving beyond first-order change into second-order change (Watzlawick, Weakland & Fisch, 1974, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). Some single mothers have disabled children, some are disabled themselves, and some are both. Successful community advocacy that empowers marginalized groups or individuals requires critical skills and abilities (Scott et al., 2015). The distinction of social justice you are aiming to distribute is essential when dealing with social and political systems that have been historically created to oppress and segregate individuals, groups, and communities from equal access to resources and opportunities (Jason, 2013, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). Therefore, it is vital to move beyond distributive justice into procedural justice. Aiming for distributive justice would involve providing resources and opportunities, while procedural justice consists of the fairness of determining who benefits from them (Jason, 2013, cited in Scott et al., 2015)..

[Audio] Merriam-webster (n.d.) defines a single mother as a parent who does not have a husband. The United States Census Bureau (2025) estimates that single females head 284 households out of 4,161 family households in Sunbury, PA (American Community Survey (ACS) 2023). These women are moms, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters. More importantly, they are our neighbors. Holding space for single mothers at Christ Wesleyan Church (CWC) is choosing to uphold the second great commandment of God, love thy neighbor (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Leviticus 19:18). In the spirit of CWC's current campaign theme, "Reach the One," I propose making room at the table for Sunbury's single mothers and their children. Single mothers need to be served according to their demographics. Due to the differences in culture and individual social determinants among single mothers, this population lacks adequate parenting and social supports (Reese et al, 2023). Therefore, in serving God, the community, and the congregation, it is imperative to understand these differences to prepare to serve those who have never been reached before (Mestach, 2025). CWC breaks barriers and Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) arguments that undermine and oppress (Gent, 2022) and instead, advocates for the oppressed. With a history of ministering to marginalized populations, CWC began a Recovery Church in 2021, ministering to those affected by substance use issues. The Recovery Church does not support substance use or unbiblical behaviors any more than it would condone unbiblical behaviors among single-mother families. Instead, it would build single mothers and their children up in Christ, learning biblical principles, because CWC is a church that, like Jesus, seeks the lost one and meets them where they are..

[Audio] Scott et al. (2015) remind us of the skills and competencies needed for the roles and tasks involved in developing new, effective, evidence-based interventions (EBIs). They state that EBIs require an understanding of strategic program planning and current literature to support the implementation of the proposed intervention. However, sometimes the research needed to address unmet needs in one's community for a program proposal may be lacking. If no current literature supports your vision and your community's need for an EBI, seeking ways to acquire adequate skills for developing and distributing surveys that would fill the research gap may be helpful (Scott et al., 2015). Depending on your vision, additional skills may also be needed that include, but are not limited to, technical assistance and training to guide the framework of the program, encompassing grant writing skills, creating local or state stakeholder-based advisory groups, and a comprehensive understanding of the development of EBIs (Scott et al., 2015). According to Scott et al. (2015), these excellent accommodation skills can help practitioners navigate various funding mechanisms and their associated contracts and cooperative agreements. They also recommend acquiring Knowledge of funding, resources, and systems when funding is an issue in establishing your EBI. When collecting factual information at the federal, state, and local levels, these competencies are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the scope of funding and its specific requirements. They add that practitioners planning an intervention program must align with the funder's expectations and become acquainted with their resources and systems, as this is foundational for understanding the organization's implementation process. Scott et al. (2015) remind us of the skills and competencies needed for the roles and tasks involved in developing new, effective, evidence-based interventions (EBIs). They state that EBIs require an understanding of strategic program planning and current literature to support the implementation of the proposed intervention. However, sometimes the research needed to address unmet needs in one's community for a program proposal may be lacking. If no current literature supports your vision and your community's need for an EBI, seeking ways to acquire adequate skills for developing and distributing surveys that would fill the research gap may be helpful (Scott et al., 2015). Depending on your vision, additional skills may also be needed that include, but are not limited to, technical assistance and training to guide the framework of the program, encompassing grant writing skills, creating local or state stakeholder-based advisory groups, and a comprehensive understanding of the development of EBIs (Scott et al., 2015). According to Scott et al. (2015), these excellent accommodation skills can help practitioners navigate various funding mechanisms and their associated contracts and cooperative agreements. They also recommend acquiring Knowledge of funding, resources, and systems when funding is an issue in establishing your EBI. These competencies are necessary when collecting factual information at the federal, state, and local levels to comprehensively understand the scope of fudging and its specific requirements. They add that practitioners planning an intervention program must align with the funder's expectations and become acquainted with their resources and systems, as this is foundational for understanding the organization's implementation process..

[Audio] According to Scott et al. (2015), Empowerment evaluation is a process that involves an in-depth critical inspection of the probability of a successful EBI program. The Empowerment Evaluation process provides constructive feedback with methodological clarity designed to foster short- and long-term improvements, and empower the practitioner (Fetterman, 2001, p. 3, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). Empowerment Evaluators consist of stakeholders, community members, and friends who support the program's mission and want it to succeed. Thus, a highly critical process throughout their examination is necessary to ensure practitioners receive sound, reliable feedback systems (Scott et al., 2015). Guiding the evaluators are ten foundational principles that embody the Empowerment Evaluation process. The ten principles are as follows: 1. Improvement, 2. Community ownership, 3. Inclusion, 4. Democratic participation, 5. Social justice, 6. Community knowledge, 7. Evidence-based strategies, 8. Capacity building, 9. Organizational learning, and 10. Accountability (Wandersman et al., 2005, p. 28, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). These principles were designed to cultivate better positive outcomes for the program and give the practitioner autonomy and self-determination (Scott et al., 2015). The Empowerment Evaluation process is now mainstreamed as a necessary component for planning and managing the intended organization or program (Wandersman et al., 2005, p. 28, as cited in Scott et al., 2015). Hence, with a Polycentric Theology focus regarding mission and mission leadership, as discussed by Handley (2021), the employment of an Empowerment Evaluation and collaboration from the community for a successful single mother ministry are paramount for better positive outcomes in the lives of these mothers, their children, and the community as a whole..

[Audio] Current research by Dharani and Balamurugan (2024), encompassing 80 studies focusing on the psychosocial concerns of single mothers, the challenges they face, including mental health, and social supports, reveals that collectively, members of families headed by single mothers are the most vulnerable of all disadvantaged groups. Their research exposed common denominators that include the absence of social supports, financial resources, and education, costing single mothers negative impacts on their emotional and social well-being, contributing to dysfunctional parenting. As a result of a lack of parenting supports and social inequality, a single mother is more often reported to Children Protective Services than any other family demographic (Shipe et al, 2024). Additional research by Chavda and Nisarga (2023) reports that single-mother households are marginalized with restricted access to resources that would otherwise help them build resiliency and thrive, disclosing instead that these families live at a higher risk of adverse health effects. They proclaimed that children from single mothers are more likely to do poorly in school, have lower self-esteem, behavioral problems, struggle with addictions, engage in hazardous sexual behavior, and have suicidal thoughts compared to children from two-parent homes (Chavda & Nisarga, 2023; Dharani & Balamurugan, 2024). As a result, children of single mothers are collectively denied healthy growth and development (Chavda & Nisarga, 2023). As members of the Christian community called to go out and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), current discussions on the table for The Great Commission include laylaylan theology and polycentric approaches to reaching, listening to, and amplifying marginalized voices (Del Castillo, 2022; Hadley, 2021; Ross, 2021)..

[Audio] As noted by Scott et al ( 2015), the science of dissemination gathers key components of what works within a system and applies them as a common denominator across program settings for sustainability. In doing so, they declare that programs can adopt proven methods and strategies to sustain their program while keeping their original key components. However, practicing dissemination, implementation, and sustainability requires a team effort. This cohesive approach enables successful collaboration in distributing skills and abilities across team members to ensure success. Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities include, but are not limited to, project management, program planning, framework development, budgeting, as well as a comprehensive understanding of literature, knowing precisely what is not working within the program in order to provide a new working theory (Scott et al., 2015). Understanding structural inequality and why it exists is important when trying to grow a church and make disciples. Although inviting your neighbor to church may be relatively easy, a return visit may be difficult, especially for the single mother. Considering that roughly 38.9% of all babies born in Pennsylvania today are born to unmarried mothers (CDC/National Center for Health Statistics, 2022), and nearly half of all babies nationwide (Gogoi, 2023), knowledge of dissemination practices within the body of Christ would therefore be deemed beneficial when addressing the plight of single mothers. One way to get started is to contact the faith-based nonprofit organization, The Life of a Single Mom, which offers ministry training kits for single mothers in local churches, meeting them where they are (The Life of a Single Mom, n.d.)..

[Audio] Current research on the positive impacts of single parents included promoting strength and resilience in single-mother families (Taylor & Konger, 2017; Chavda & Nisarga, 2023). Fostering Resiliency in children enables them to be more prepared to extend their influence on the world because they can adapt to new situations more easily and are more confident and curious (Pettoello-Mantovani et al., 2019). According to a study by Taylor and Konger (2017), single mothers with perceived social supports had more confidence in their parenting, demonstrated positive parenting behaviors, had better relationships with their children, and experienced increased mental health benefits. They state that single mothers with lower perceived social supports reported having poorer parenting behaviors, low self-esteem and efficacy, and an increase in internalizing symptoms. As a result, they recommend interventions focused on promoting the well-being of single mothers that include social support and interventions to bolster internal strengths and coping skills. Research by Chavda and Nisarga (2023) discovered that children of single mothers who participate more in community activities and help with chores at home develop a stronger sense of responsibility and community and are more mature than their peers with two parents. They report that single mothers who are encouraged, listen to their children attentively without judgment, and with empathy experience healthier, more effective problem-solving and communication skills, improved parenting behaviors, and well-being. Their research recommends a multi-integrated approach that includes effective parenting, promoting social development, and cultivating protective and resilience-building factors. Declaring these factors increases single-mother families' overall health and well-being, and helps with short and long-term adjustment to diversity..

[Audio] I envision the ideal Puzzle Project as a faith-based, non-profit drop-in center for single-mother families that integrates current scientific research recommendations. Initially, the Puzzle Project will be funded by purchasing and renovating one of Sunbury's several abandoned homes, where each room will be utilized. Guided by Christian principles, the Puzzle Project would offer a variety of resilience-building activities to single mothers and their children. Goals include purchasing the Single Mothers Ministry Training Kit (The Life of a Single Mom, n.d.) and collaborating with CWC church leaders and interested parties. Enabling the Puzzle Project to offer a weekly faith-based parenting support group and Bible study from a successful EBI. This would be the meat and potatoes of the Puzzle Project. Alongside this social support service, the Puzzle Project would offer an actual puzzle project, incorporated into the house's main room, where single-mother families can drop in and work on puzzles together. There will be a variety of tables to work on, puzzle glue, and frames to hang the puzzles on the wall as testimony to their story. Other rooms include a clothing donation room where single-mother families can contribute, a game room where families can play board games and meet other families, and a TV room that is only on for movie nights. The reading room will offer Christian resources and appropriate trending books. Youth can come here to study; moms can come to relax. The Kitchen can serve as a place where local businesses can sell coffee and snacks, where a part of the proceeds go back into the Puzzle Project..

[Audio] The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM, n.d.), where no single mom walks alone, is the largest provider in the US offering Christian-based curriculums, training, and ministry practices for single-mother families. The following statistics from their website serve as testimony to their work of serving over one million single mothers: 69.8% of single moms consistently attended the support groups for more than six months, 89.5% of attendees integrated at least one new parenting skill learned from the group, 10% of the single mothers attending the group and other programs experienced an increase in homeownership, after six months of group attendance 46% of single mothers are still utilizing a working budget, while 44% of them, since attedning the single mom group have reduced their credit card debt, 92% of attendees reported reduction of stress, 96.2% of them indicated improved relationships with their children since group attendance, 98.1% of single mom attendees reported having more confidence in their parenting skills, 96.2% of single mom support group attendees reported not having an incarcerated child, compared to the national statistics of 78% of the US Prison Population being raised by a single mother, 52% of single mothers engaged in at least two of their programs, less <2% of attendees reported having a child run away as opposed to the national avearage of children of single mother houshoulds being 32x more likely to have a child run away from home, and 86.8% of single moms attending the support group reported that the group helped them form meaningful friendships..

[Audio] The Puzzle Project's drop-in center vision includes improving the quality of life among single-mother families, providing good mental health, and fostering healthier relationships between single mothers, their children, and the community. Happier, healthier homes in our community can have lasting positive effects on future generations. Although there is no current literature to predict statistical outcomes, I theorize that God will reveal His bigger plan in time. Violence could go down, reports to CYS among single-mother homes can decrease, as well as alcohol and drug use among youth. Most importantly, souls could be saved. Although I only know the Bible through my studies at Liberty University, I have learned that a perfect God sent His only Son to demonstrate a perfect love, giving us the chance to believe in Him and align with the Father's will to create more disciples to bring home to His Kingdom for His glory. If I have learned one thing, being raised by a single mother and being a single mother, it is that I serve a God who works through all things, even the terrible, horrible things, for His greater good. All we have to do is have the faith of a mustard seed, and more will be revealed. The Puzzle Project provides a place where lost souls can receive spiritual nourishment, grace, and fellowship, and be seen as part of The Great Commission. Putting the pieces of the puzzle back together for a better world, one lost soul at a time, beginning with me..

References CDC/National Center for Health Statistics. (2022, February 24). Percent of babies born to unmarried mothers by state. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/unmarried/unmarried.htm Chavda, K., & Nisarga, V. (2023). Single parenting: Impact on child’s development. Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/09731342231179017 Del Castillo, F. A. (2022). Laylayan Theology: Listening to the voices from the margins. Religions,13(5), 391. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050391 Gent, W. (2022). “Not in My Back Yard”: Democratic rhetorics in spatial gatekeeping. Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, 19(2), 140–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/14791420.2022.2061026.

Dharani, M. K., & Balamurugan, J. (2024). The psychosocial impact on single mothers’ well-being - A literature review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13(148). https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1045_23 Gogoi, P. (2023, October 22). Why children of married parents do better, but America is moving the other way. https://www.npr.org/2023/10/22/1207322878/single-parent-married-good-for-children-inequality Handley, J. W. (2021). Polycentric mission leadership: Toward a new theoretical model: OCMS Montagu Barker Lecture Series: “Polycentric Theology, Mission, and Mission Leadership”. Transformation, 38(3), 225-239. https://doi.org/10.1177/02653788211025065.

New International Bible. (2011). Bible Gateway. https://biblegateway.com (Original work published in 1978) Pettoello-Mantovani, M., Pop, T. L., Mestrovic, J., Ferrara, P., Giardino, I., Carrasco-Sanz, A., Nigri, L., Namazova-Baranova, L., Vural, M., & Çokuğraş, F. Ç. (2019). Fostering resilience in children: The essential role of healthcare professionals and families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 205, 298–299.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.10.069 Scott, V., Wolfe, S., Jason, L., Beasley, C., & Hunter, B. (2015). Advocacy and social justice. In Advocacy and social justice (pp. 262-289). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483398150.n10 Ross, K. (2021). Polycentric theology, mission, and mission leadership. Transformation. https://doi.org/10.1177/02653788211026334.

Shipe, S., Guastaferro, K., Ayer, L., Lee, J., & Connell, C. (2024). Family structure and children's risk of child protective services re-reports. Child Abuse & Neglect, 154, 106915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106915 Taylor, Z. E., & Conger, R. D. (2017). Promoting strengths and resilience in single-mother families. Child Development, 88(2), 350-358. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12741 The Life of a Single Mom, where no single mom walks alone. (n.d.). Looking to launch or improve a single mom support group? https://thelifeofasinglemom.com/start-grow-single-mom-ministry/ Retrieved on May 4, 2025..