FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Digital Copies Available at rez.org/press
Press Contact: Pastor Mary Bangs
970-667-5479
mbangs@rez.org
Resurrection Fellowship MOPs in International Magazine
Nearly Half of Attendees are Non-Members of Church
Resurrection Fellowship’s Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) and the program’s coordinator Chris Vick are featured
in the January 2014 edition of MOPS International’s leadership magazine, Connections.
Vick and the MOPs group drew attention when MOPs International was contacted by Vick’s husband who thanked
them for the personal growth he had seen in his wife. This accomplishment was confirmed by Pastor Mary Bangs of
the church (better known as ‘Rez’ to locals) and by other moms in the group. The magazine was eager to tell the
story of a highly successful MOPs group from varied perspectives.
The MOPs program saw tremendous growth in the 2011 and 2012 years under Leslie Lowry. When Vick later
accepted responsibility for MOPs she expanded upon the vision and exploited the growth trends by dividing the
organization into two groups that meet biweekly with 150 moms.
Writer Alexandra Kuykendall of MOPS International points out that Rez MOPs is unique in part because they kept
the same leadership for both groups rather than creating two completely separate groups. In addition, Rez MOPs has
a significant outreach into the community with 40% of attending moms coming from other churches in the area.
Kuykendall also took note of the care and compassion demonstrated by leaders of Rez MOPs who make sure that
moms with newborns are receiving nutritious meals and getting help with childcare. She added that Pastor Bangs’
positive mentoring influence is another key to the group’s success.
Resurrection Fellowship’s program provides mothers of preschool children with fellowship, guest speakers, mentor
moms, crafts and a variety of annual activities such as toy and children’s clothing exchanges, secret sister gifts,
raffles, prizes and the popular MOPs and Pops Date Night. The group also supports charitable efforts such as
Operation Christmas Child by filling shoe boxes with donated toys for children around the world. Each year the
moms also create handcrafted cards for military families to share with loved ones serving overseas.
Pastor Bangs explains that the program is successful because it provides “a safe place for a short time of fellowship
(without the worries of young children) in a Godly atmosphere with Godly influence.” MOPS meets from late
August through May each year. The cost is $29.95 annually to MOPs International for a magazine and support
materials such as DVDs. Each session costs $5 to cover the cost of activities and craft materials. Scholarships are
available to those needing financial assistance. Childcare is provided by Resurrection Fellowship. Anyone interested
in knowing more about the program can call Pastor Mary Bangs at 970-667-5479.
MOPS International is headquartered in Denver, CO. It was started by eight women in February 1973 in Wheat
Ridge, CO. The idea spread as women moved to other parts of the country and started new groups. By 1988 the
organization had expanded beyond U.S. borders and was renamed MOPS International. The basic purpose of MOPS
is to support motherhood via the belief that better moms help make a better world. Military MOPS, sponsored by a
base chapel or local church, meets special needs of moms in military families. Teen MOPS helps teen moms by
providing a nonjudgmental and encouraging mentored environment. MOMSnext serves moms with school-age
children. More information about MOPS International is available at www.MOPS.org.