It takes a village: Crossway MOPS aims to connect young mothers for their journey through motherhood

Crossway MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) is reaching out to young mothers and offering a support group to help them on their journey through motherhood.

Founded in 2002, MOPS is a faith-based organization that services mothers of preschoolers and helps them “find their tribe” to connect for support and encouragement.

“Our goal is to help moms ‘find your tribe’ – find a group of people that will walk through life with you, that are in the same stage as you, be able to encourage each other and drive each other to Jesus through everything that we’re doing,” said Jessica Gain.

Crossway MOPS is financially backed by Crossway Church and has been able to provide service projects such as baby showers, providing hygiene kits, adoption and Christmas parties at the shelter. As a group, MOPS provides service opportunities for the whole community.

Though the group is mostly local, the Facebook group still offers support for those who are outside of the Vicksburg area if they need advice or prayer.

“We have meetings every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Crossway,” said Gain.”I had a friend that was really involved with MOPS and she has moved to north Mississippi, so she can’t join us (at the meetings) but still reaches out when she needs prayer.

When you join MOPS, you are joining a whole organization. There are free emails they post about different activities to do with the kids and leadership resources they publish for free for MOPS to go through and get different resources on all kinds of topics involving motherhood.”

Crossway MOPS is mostly known by word-of-mouth but the group plans to reach out in new ways and hinted toward plans of a fall festival to help spread their presence.

Beyond pre-school, Crossway continues to provide support and offers a group known as MOMSNext. MOMSNext helps mothers of children K-12 stay connected and continue to provide support to one another.

In-person meetings are hosted on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Crossway Church, located at 1825 Hwy 61. Child care is provided.

“Motherhood is tough and rewarding all at the same time. We know that we cannot do it alone,” said Gain.

Crossway MOPS and MOMSNext informational flyer