There is a constant attack on the marriage covenant within our culture today.  We see it through social media, printed media, and in every other outlet.  The struggle with sexual identity, gender confusion, sexual abuse, and pornography are all part of this ongoing battle.

When we view this onslaught, it would be easy to just say, “it’s too much, let’s just do the best we can, and try not to let this creep in to the church.”  Sadly, the truth is, that stance of neutrality has left us in the church fighting the same battles within that we see without.  This is why we must take the strategy of preventive truth rather than passive tolerance.  Spiritual Oneness is our greatest weapon against marital disillusionment, and that can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ and obedience to His Word in our marriage relationships.

The Healthy Marriage Weekend is an opportunity to open the communication lines and experience the necessary Spiritual Oneness that will allow for the walls to come down.  Both Marriage Encounter and Marriage Restored are weekends that allow the couple to communicate through clearly directed areas that bring about healing and wholeness.  The weekends are unique because they are extremely private for every couple.  There is no public sharing required.  It is an opportunity for a couple to “work” on their relationship in privacy, after hearing life stories of presenting couples who have walked down these paths before.

 Marriage Encounter is based upon the theme of “good to great”.  Simply meaning if you feel like you have a “good marriage”, then a marriage encounter weekend can make it a “great marriage.”  The focus of Marriage Encounter is enrichment and gaining vibrant communication skills.  Marriage Restored is based upon healing and forgiveness to reestablish the covenant of Marriage that has been damaged and needs a fresh start.  The focus of a Marriage Restored weekend is just as it says, restoration.  Wherever you find your relationship, or as you work with couples, wherever they find theirs, this is a great opportunity to let God bring grace into a marriage and rekindle the love necessary to have a fruitful life, marriage, and ministry.

To register for either weekend, please go to the AGK website and click on the “Healthy Marriage Weekend”.  This will link you to either the Marriage Encounter or Marriage Restored website and you can register from there.  The cost to register is $125.  There is no more direct cost for any couple.  An offering is received on the weekend.  If finances are an issue for you to be able to attend, please contact Bobby or Beth Massey at centralkansas@agme.org and we will arrange for a scholarship.  People have given to specifically bless ministry couples so they can attend.

God bless you and hope to see you or couples from your church at one of our upcoming Healthy Marriage Weekends.  The next one is August 22-24 in Wichita.

Bobby and Beth Massey
Senior Pastor, Hope Church
AGME Central Kansas Coordinating Couple