As you drive around our state it is not hard to locate a local church. Most every community in our state, rural or urban, has a church, some have multiple churches. Also true of every community is that there are children and families that are disconnected from the church. Wouldn’t it be amazing if in every community, local churches had the ability to learn about and get connected to families that are living disconnected from those around them. Caring believers in local communities could make connection with children and families in crisis and be able to serve and love them.
The MBCH Church Engagement Initiative launched at the beginning of 2019 with the desire to offer MBCH resources and guidance to assist churches in serving local children and families more effectively. The mission of MBCH is to serve God by responding to the needs of children, youth, and families to make a lasting difference in their lives, and certainly one of the best ways we can accomplish this is to connect children and families to local churches.
When your church engages with MBCH, we can offer resources that may increase your church’s impact on your local community. Our partnership may help bring clarity on ways your church can serve the least of these, and it is likely to create some new avenues for discipleship, missions through service, and leadership development. Consider the following resources described below.
MBCH is an Implementing Partner with CarePortal. www.careportal.org CarePortal is a technology platform that drives action for local children and families in crisis. Your church can receive training and enrollment to CarePortal through MBCH at no cost and get connected with local children and families. Not only does using CarePortal connect your church with children and families in your community, but it can also be used to deepen your connection with your local schools, develop lay leaders, and help to create a culture of serving that increases discipleship opportunities in your congregation.
Does your church know and practice the 5 steps to keep children and youth safe? Stewards of Children is a training that can equip your staff and volunteers, and all the adults in your church to ensure a safe ministry environment. It can also be used as a tool to connect you with your local schools and the parents in your community and communicate a message that your church cares about keeping children and youth safe.
In the area of women’s ministry MBCH offers consulting, training, and conferences to help your church have a strong ministry to women. We also offer free discipleship resources and opportunities for women to engage in ministry to local children and families.
These resources and more are available to your church at no cost, simply to help you be more effective in serving children and families. If you are interested in learning more, contact our Church Engagement Strategist, at david.burch@mbch.org.