How God Is Changing the Lives of Single Moms at Schweitzer Church
Wednesday nights are often the highlight of my week, thanks to the Embrace Grace program, where I get to be part of God’s moving in the lives of single mothers, many of whom I now call friends. “During each 12-week session we use a curriculum that teaches the love and worth found in Christ for both mom and baby, while also providing for practical needs.
Frances (right) with Leigh-Ann (left) holding baby Genesis at the shower.
The Embrace Grace leaders prepare for months ahead of time to be able to care for these ladies in the best ways possible. Countless stories of life transformations have come from the program. We have seen women accept Christ as their savior, start coming to church, and attend Bible studies.
Frances, an amazing mother from last year’s fall program, learned of the class from the Pregnancy Care Center. She lived about an hour away and did not have transportation. However, she assured me that she would find a way to be a part of the group.
To my surprise, Frances was the first to show up on week one! Despite being well into her third trimester with her fourth child, she was an enthusiastic ball of energy! She was very open to sharing her story. Frances was from California but she and her children got into a devastating car accident while visiting Missouri. Due to drugs being involved in the accident, a judge determined that she was not allowed to leave the state until it had been settled. Her children returned to California, where they lived with their grandmother while Frances stayed behind. Several years went by, and the trial was continually pushed back. Alone and far from her home and her children, Frances hit rock bottom when she found out she was pregnant.
Determined to get her life back on track, she got sober and started attending every self-help and pregnancy class she could find, which eventually led her to Embrace Grace. We became fast friends, and in week five of the program, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on a Tuesday and FaceTimed into our class on Wednesday, saying, “Embrace Grace is the highlight of my week! Being in the hospital isn’t going to stop me from being there!” All the moms and leaders huddled around the screen to meet the baby. After studying a passage from Genesis back in week one of the class, Frances named her new daughter Genesis.
“This baby is my new beginning. When we read from the book of Genesis that first week, I knew that that was my sign from God.”
Frances shared that she feels like attending Embrace Grace saved her life. Feeling isolated from family and the rest of the world, she didn’t know how she would take care of Genesis until she found Embrace Grace. She was taken aback at the love and genuine kindness shown to the mothers going through major hardships.
“Embrace Grace is a place where I feel like I am safe to share my struggles with other moms who get it. I love having this support system that I know will uplift me and are praying for me.”
On the Saturday after the last class, the leaders throw a baby shower for all of the moms who have attended at least 9 out of the 12 classes. The shower equates to a $400 value per mom. Prior to the shower, the moms select items from a list to ensure they get the things they need, and our volunteers work diligently to get all the items for the best deals possible. Additionally, each mom gets plenty of diapers and wipes, clothes, toys, and other baby accessories.
Our ability to provide so much for these moms depends on the incredible generosity of Schweitzer Church. You can contribute to the next shower during our baby shower drive on March 16-23 (needed items will be posted on the windows outside the Sanctuary). You can also purchase items with our Amazon Gift Registry and have them sent directly to the church. Or you can give monetarily online or in-person.
“Embrace Grace is the reason I feel like I can do this whole mom thing. It has shown me that I am never alone. I have a trust in God for his plan for not only my life but also the life of my child.”