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Ministry updates and two groups helped most by The Marriage School
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2
Dear Friend,
God is doing amazing things through The Marriage School and it's quite a thrill to have front row seats! We wish that everyone could experience the slow but unmistakable transformation that we get to see every semester. A couple arrives in obvious pain. Within a few weeks, they are grasping hope. In a few months, they are gaining ground and celebrating small wins. During this year, we have seen the biggest impact take place within two groups: Empty nesters (parents of college-age or young adult children) and young families with school aged kids.
The Marriage School's staff and volunteers have invested countless hours of time, teaching, and prayer into these marriages that need encouragement and support. Couples who previously thought that their only choices were either to suffer in unhappy marriages or get divorced are now learning that there is a Third Option: Grow together and build stronger, more fulfilling marriages. It is inspiring to see the transformations take place!
Struggles come at all ages and life stages, and The Marriage School is there for couples whenever they need us. As Paul says in Galatians 6:2, we are called to carry each other's burdens, and it is an honor for us to do so!
On this GivingTuesday, we officially mark the beginning of our Annual Year-End Fundraising campaign. We are thankful for the support that you have shown for this ministry and want to share some of the highlights from the past year - including a testimonial from a couple who share the difference that a supportive community can make!
With love and gratitude,
Daniel & Rachel
Help support The Marriage School in our work to minister to marriages- healthy, in crisis, and/or looking to grow relationally and spiritually.
Ministry Updates for 2023:
New Programs:
Marriage Enrichment Workshops
Premarital Curriculum Development
Men’s Retreat
Increased Reach:
Online classes and coaching reach people throughout the US and Germany
Development of “Meet the Marriage School” and Pastor outreach programs
Increasing Mentor Programs: Recruiting and training more marriage mentors for both married and engaged couples.
Praying Purposefully
Weekly prayer meetings for wives WHIPP (Wives Healing in Praise & Prayer)
Weekly intercessory prayer meetings for couples attending The Marriage School
Growing Professionally
Updating our infrastructure (business systems, accounting database, website)
Enhancing our team (business, marketing, fundraising, and administrative support)
Welcoming two new Board members
Training more volunteers and mentors for our programs
Ministry Needs for 2024: We want to serve and impact more marriages and families in 2024 than ever before! To reach our goals, we are praying for guidance and support in the following areas:
Funding: We seek to remove the financial obstacles that come with counseling programs so that we can help any and all marriages in crisis. Your donations allow us to do this. Your partnership in fundraising is also valuable to us. Want to host an event? Let’s talk!
Volunteers: Marriage mentors, sharing couples, and prayer warriors – WE NEED YOU!
Attendance: Let’s help as many in need as we can! Please share the word about what we do and how we can help!
After the Honeymoon
Even before they took their vows, Kate and Pete were prepared to work on their marriage. Each had been painfully impacted by divorce and understood that a healthy, strong marriage requires effort. Even though they knew they were in it for the long haul, Kate muses that, “No one gives you a handbook when you walk down the aisle. You make these lofty promises, but they’re so vague.”
External pressures pushed them to seek help sooner than expected. They had married in the midst of the pandemic and then experienced a job loss before their first anniversary. While searching their church website, they stumbled upon The Marriage School’s Third Option Program and started attending online.
At the first class, they learned about The Bill of Rights, a practical checklist for showing respect and love. They immediately loved all of the tools. The Third Option gave them a shared language and understanding of their dynamics. It has helped them get to know themselves and each other. They now have the tools for successful conflict resolution.
Pete says he is glad that they were proactive. “You don’t have to come in a crisis. The classes help you build and prevent the crisis.”
Kate agrees, “It breaks my heart when I hear about couples who suffer years and years of unfulfilled marriages. Don’t wait!”
Now, Pete and Kate serve as a sharing couple. Kate says, “Even though we’ve now seen all of the lessons multiple times, we get something new every single week. The program is so fruitful.”
When asked if she has any advice for other newlyweds, Kate exclaims, “Be in community! Everyone has become even more isolated in the last few years. We grew so much in this supportive, encouraging environment, and we’ll never outgrow the need to be in community. Because life keeps changing.”
Mail checks to: The Marriage School PO Box 84, South Lebanon, OH 45065 |
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