Our History

God is planting seeds all the time! Lebanon’s MOPS group was a seed planted from a MOPS groups in Blue Springs, MO with me, Becky Rodgers. When I moved to Lebanon and discovered that there was not a MOPS group, I was encouraged by my friends in Blue Springs to start one. At a playgroup in McDonalds, three friends banded together to start a MOPS group in Lebanon: myself, Lyla Day, and Kristen Tucker. Pastor Terry Rhoads and the leadership from Southern Heights Christian Church were very supportive of the idea of a MOPS group and agreed to be our chartering ministry.
The first meeting of the Lebanon MOPS group was held September 2, 2003 in the chapel at Southern Heights Christian Church with 11 members present. Lenita Davison was our Mentor Mom and Pat Taylor was our guest speaker for the evening. She helped us understand the most important priorities in a woman’s life and that it was alright to say “No”. The members of the steering team were Becky Rodgers, Coordinator; Lyla Day, Discussion Group Leader; Kristen Tucker, Creative Activities; Debbie Alwardt, Finance; Lisa Young, Hospitality; and Michele Evans, Publicity.
I helped start this MOPS group because I believed that’s what God wanted me to do and I obeyed. It was scary at first and exciting and the blessings have come again and again. My personal goal was that no mom who moved to Lebanon would ever feel as lonely as I did when I first moved here. I wanted a group where a new mom could come and feel welcome, connect and make friends. I hope that this MOPS group is always able to provide the support and encouragement that we all need as moms.

Becky Rodgers
Founder of Lebanon MOPS at SHCC