Eight women.  The number was small,  but the need was great.  The first MOPS meeting took place in February 1973 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.  For two hours, while their children received care, these mothers talked, laughed, ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had a craft demonstration and ended with a short devotional.  In this humble beginning, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format were planted.  Through friendship, creative outlets, and instruction, the women began to understand that “mothering matters.”  Today, the same needs for significance are met in much the same way in MOPS groups across the United States and around the world.  

In 1997, Darla Spears, who had been in a MOPS group in Houston, founded Branson MOPS.  This group began as a PM group with about 15 moms  meeting in the parlor of First Baptist Church.  Before the end of that first year, Darla moved away and Dee Goodwin and Jana Brown took over as co-coordinators.  In 2001, a group of women from the PM group saw a need for a morning group and thus MOPS AM was founded.  At  first the PM group supported the AM group financially until they could get their ministry up and running.  By 2006, there were over 150 moms in the two groups combined.  Past coordinators of Branson MOPS include:  Darla Spears, Dee Goodwin, Jana Brown, Sonja Myer, Amy Westcott, Paula Stoner, Tennille Michel, Dixie Braatz and Debra Ruda.  Tennille still serves as PM coordinator today.  Tennille says she remembers when Community Cash was accepted as payment for MOPS dues.  When you talk to any of these women about their MOPS experience,  they will tell you that MOPS was a huge part of their lives and made such a positive impact that they will never forget their time in MOPS.  So thank you Darla Spears, wherever you are, for founding Branson MOPS.  Whether you belong to the PM group or the AM group, your life will be blessed just simply from your involvement in MOPS.

(MOPS International story was taken from the MOPS International website.)