The MOPS Story

Eightwomen. The number was small, but the need was great. The first MOPSmeeting took place in February 1973 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. For two hours, while their children received care, these motherstalked, laughed, ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had acraft demonstration and ended with a short devotional. In this humblebeginning, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format were planted.Through friendship, creative outlets, and instruction, the women beganto understand that "mothering matters." Today, the same needs forsignificance are met in much the same way in MOPS groups across theUnited States and around the world.

From the beginning, womenin MOPS were not content to be spectators. Through MOPS, they found anopportunity to discover and cultivate their leadership gifts. As womenmoved around the country, they took the concept of MOPS with them, andnew groups formed.

Growth began as word spread in churches,conventions, and magazine articles that explained this unique newprogram. Inquiries and requests for information became more frequent,and a handbook was printed. Office space moved from a desk in a familyroom to a rented office.

In 1981, MOPS established a Board ofDirectors and incorporated first as MOPS Outreach, and later as MOPS,Inc. As interest mushroomed, leadership training began. One hundredfifty women from five states gathered in 1982 for the first all-dayMOPS leadership seminar.

In 1988, MOPS expanded beyond USborders and was renamed MOPS International, Inc. to reflect theinternational impact of the ministry. As MOPS grew, so did the need fora chartering process, additional resource materials, and a paid staff.The Board hired Elisa Morgan as the first president of the organizationin 1989.

MOPS reached out to moms through the MOMSense newsletter (now MomSense magazine) beginning in 1993. The newsletter joined the existing MOMSense radio program to help MOPS nurture every mother of preschoolers, whether or not she attended a MOPS group.

In 1995, MOPS formed a partnership with Zondervan PublishingHouse, further expanding its outreach to mothers through books. Alsothat year, MOPS established Teen MOPS groups for teenage mothers. MOPSbecame even more available to moms when it went online in 1997, and in2000 when it created the MOPStoMom Connection (now MOPS International Membership)to bring additional resources directly to a mom's home. In 2004, MOPSInternational entered into an publishing relationship with Revell ofBaker Publishing Group.

MOPS has come a long way over the years, and continues to adapt to meet the various needs of moms today.

For more info contact: Michele Hadder @ 321-289-8494