How to Start a Missionettes Program

Missionettes is a discipleship training program for girls from preschool age to teenage years. The program leaders teach girls about Godly character, skills and the Bible. The girls usually do in-class activities, crafts and go for outreach field trips. The program is adaptable to any size group and varying commitment levels of its leaders. Read on to learn how to start a Missionettes program.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Get the Missionettes Leader Training Guide book or kit. The book comes with a full description of the program and how to be an effective leader. The kit includes additional material to help train the leaders. Get the video training in the kit and teach it in segments for better digestion. The prices range from $10 to $20.
2. Recruit and train leaders. Recruit from among the current children's ministry department, from the parents of girls who would be in the program, grandparents and the general church family. Offer the potential leaders a brief description of how easy the program is to start, how beneficial it will be to the girls, and how rewarding it will be for them. Train the leaders with the Leadership Training Guide Book or kit.
3. Plan the times and place of each meeting. Missionettes is designed to be completed in one to two hours at each meeting. The meetings are generally held at the church on an evening when there are other activities taking place. The program can be held at other times like after school, on Saturday morning or on an alternate weekday night. The teenage group does not need to meet at the same time as the younger girl's Missionettes night. Choose a classroom setting that can be adapted for craft projects and games.
4. Budget. Decide whether the church will provide the uniform for each girl or if there will be a fee. Decide how much the church will need to invest on the program. Decide how to collect offerings to support the program and whether offerings should go to another cause the girl's want to support. Budget for outings and gift giving at the outings. For example, if the Missionettes go Christmas caroling at a nursing home, will they take a Christmas gift along? Determine who will pay for what items.
5. Publicize. Buy or make posters to decorate the church and other public places. Some grocery stores and super centers will allow you to advertise on a community board. Decide who the target audience is and publicize to them.
6. Apply for a charter and order supplies. All this can be done through Gospel Publishing. Look in the Leader Guide to determine what supplies you will need and how many. Apply for a charter through you district's policy.