The Unexpected Impact of a Grandparenting Ministry

A candid conversation about grandparenting ministry with Bill Parkinson, Sageworks Pastor in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Brent Dodrill, Senior Pastor at Grace Crossing Bible Church in Estacada, Oregon.

Why did you start a grandparenting ministry in your church, and how did it overlap with your senior ministry?

BILL: Legacy Coalition’s mission and vision resonated with our ongoing 55+ ministry, Sageworks. It was a perfect fit for our church to engage, equip, and encourage grandparents in their biblical role. It became an additional way for them to be involved in the mission and ministry of the church as disciplers of their families.

Our senior ministry benefited from this addition. The average grandparent did not see the need to be intentional with their grandchildren until they were exposed to the scriptural teaching about their role. Many responded with “Oh—this is a lot different than what I am doing!”

BRENT: We are a multigenerational church, so we did not have a stand-alone senior ministry. But we had Rachel.

Rachel is a grandparent in our church who attended a Legacy Coalition event and was eager to share what she had learned. She started by inviting grandparents to pray for their grandchildren and adult children. They meet one Sunday a month. She really was the catalyst for our grandparenting ministry.

What need does the ministry meet in your church?

BRENT: Once the scriptural mandate was realized, we knew we had a need. So, for us, the need came second. Our grandparenting ministry is now meeting a need we did not know we had. Grandparents discipling grandchildren is not an odd thing; it is a God thing!

From our small, simple beginning, it has grown to over 50 grandparents coming to our grandparents’ monthly lunches. At these lunches, grandparents from area churches join in as well. It is a wonderful time of sitting and visiting, along with the sharing of information. Each lunch’s focus is on encouraging intentionality, scriptural challenge to speak the gospel and God’s Word into lives, and a sharing of resources to equip grandparents.

BILL: Many grandparents were feeling isolated and insulated due to the season of life. Many of the activities, like work and sports, were no longer part of their day. These opportunities for discipleship and community were gone. Family, while always important, became more of a primary concern or focus. This natural point of connection led to this amazing God-given opportunity and challenge to answer the call to disciple their grandchildren.

Has your church changed in any way since the grandparenting ministry started? How?

BILL: Grandparents in our church now understand their role in the spiritual mandate of discipleship, which is the role of the church.

They also find a community of motivated individuals who also want to serve the Lord this way. This reinvigoration of service for the Lord is what many of them were missing and craving!

Has this ministry impacted your community?

BRENT: We have been a host site for the Legacy Grandparenting Summit twice. Grandparents from around our area have gathered and gleaned. What a blessing to hear such powerful speakers. Summit has been a real boost for our grandparents, encouraging and equipping them to be intentional. We were so excited that another church in the area hosted it in 2025. We have helped this church as well as several others. We count it a privilege to spread the vision and mission of purposeful grandparenting.

BILL: Our grandparenting ministry has been contagious in our area. It has spread to other churches. God has blessed us with many opportunities to share what we have done and allowed us to help others to start.

As we envision and help others see the value, it is spreading in the community. Christian schools have even held Grandparents Day with a focus on the strategic role of the grandparent in the life not only of a family but of the school. They are seeking to connect with grandparents in a more vital way.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a grandparenting ministry in their church?

BRENT: Consider what the grandparents in your church are willing to do in terms of commitment. Lives are so busy with small margins. Do your grandparents want to meet once per month or once per week? What are they interested in? A word of caution is to start small and build from there. Pace yourself.

BILL: Follow the proven best practices for starting a grandparenting ministry. [See the end of this article for info on Legacy Coalition’s Starter Kit for Church Ministry.]

Pursue grandmothers as the core of your ministry. Grandpas will come along, but focus on grandmas because they are the driving force. Make them your target!

How important is it to get the pastoral staff involved?

BRENT: It is critical. They need to see that this is a vital ministry of the church. Our elders got involved early on as they saw how the parents were responding. We could not help but see “IT’S WORKING!”

In fact, the grandparenting ministry is supported through our general fund. It is important for the pastor to verbally support and promote the ministry.

BILL: Grandparenting ministry is often seen as a niche ministry with a relatively small number of the church involved. When it is not embraced as being integral in fulfilling the mission of the church, it is relegated to this secondary status. It is tolerated but not promoted.

It is key that church leadership see the benefit, including it as part of their Family Ministry Tree. This will allow it to receive the prominence and influence necessary to start, grow, and sustain as a ministry.

What is a major piece that helped your ministry to get off to such a strong start?

BRENT: An individual led by the Spirit that will “own it”, making something happen. This individual also needs to assemble a team to help as it builds and grows.

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Editor’s Note: Churches, including these two, are reporting that this change in perception about Christian grandparenting has been a catalyst for perpetuating faith in their grandchildren. Additionally, relationships are being repaired and restored with adult children.

Legacy Coalition is here to help local church leaders start a strong grandparenting ministry. Check out our online Starter Kit for Church Ministry for more tips from leaders who have walked the path.