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Their passion for helping couples embrace God’s design for marriage stems from their personal encounter with God’s redemptive grace in restoring their own broken marriage.
They offer three-fold programs: MarriageAdventures, Marriage Outbacks and Marriage Getaways at intimate resortdestinations around the world.
In addition to their highly successful marital enrichment programs, they alsofacilitate marital education for churches, small groups, and organizations inboth large conference and intimate workshop venues.
www.MarriageLifeMinistries.com
See the recording of a zoom call from 10-17-2024:
https://youtu.be/1_PamkJHMBw
Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community. His unique message is designed to help you embrace the unique way that you interact with God, partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse, build a closer, grace-based family, and enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.
Gary Thomas wrote many books about marriage and family. One of his latest books is called Cherish.
Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on.
But marriages can and will not only survive but thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another.
Those are the powerful words of bestselling author Gary Thomas in his newest book Cherish. And in a world desperate for marriage redemption, it is needed now more than ever.
Thomas shows that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in proven, loving, and everyday actions and words. Through personal stories and real world examples, Thomas proves what husbands and wives can begin doing today to turn their marriage around even a marriage marred by neglect and disrespect.
So how do you cherish your spouse? Thomas will show you how going out of your way to notice them, appreciate them, honor them, encourage them, and hold them close to your heart will bring hope, light, and life into your marriage.”
Interviews
Focus on the Family: Cherish Your Spouse, Cherish Your Marriage (Part 1)
Focus on the Family: Cherish Your Spouse, Cherish Your Marriage (Part 2)
Endorsements:
Gary Thomas has given a deep understanding and application of a key biblical concept that is sure to take any marriage who applies it to the next level. A must reading for every couple who wish to grow their relationship.
–Dr. Tony Evans, President, The Urban Alternative
Get ready to be inspired! This book is sure to lift your marriage to a higher level – thats what it did for us. But Gary does more than inspire. He equips. He shows us how to lovingly care for and treasure our spouse like never before. Don’t miss out on this incredibly practical message. Your marriage will never be the same.
–Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts
Many of us vowed “to love and to cherish” when we married. We hear a lot of good advice about loving our spouses, and that’s certainly important – but there’s more. Gary Thomas shows us how to put love into action through cherishing the one we love.
–Jim Daly, President – Focus on the Family
For more information, see his website: www.garythomas.com
See the recording of a zoom call on 5-2-2024: https://youtu.be/qeju0u4fF6o
Dr. Gary Chapman is the celebrated author of the perennial #1 New York Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages®: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Millions of readers credit this book with improving their marriages by showing them simple and practical ways to communicate love to their partner. The book has been expanded into the Love Languages series which applies these concepts to families, singles, children and teens, special needs families, the workplace, the military, and more. Today, Dr. Chapman speaks to thousands of couples nationwide through his weekend marriage conferences. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, A Love Language Minute, and a weekly program, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, which air on more than 400 stations across the country.
Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Gary Chapman’s international bestseller has brought back or intensified the love in millions of marriages by revealing the five distinct languages we all use to express love:
Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch
Couples who understand each other’s love language hold a priceless advantage in the quest for love that lasts a lifetime – they know how to effectively and consistently make each other feel truly and deeply loved. That gift never fades away.
Dr. Gary Chapman’s website: 5lovelanguages.com
See the recording of a zoom call with Dr. Gary Chapman from 9-7-2023:
Ruth Buezis began the Awaken-Love ministry out of her own experiences, struggles, and transformation. Her journey began after studying Song of Songs, when Ruth realized that she is God’s beloved, which led to a deeper intimacy with God and her husband. In 2012, God called her to share how this new intimacy and freedom transformed her marriage. He filled Ruth with the boldness to share His truth on a subject that the church often avoids: sex! Her heart’s cry is for Christi ans to grow in intimacy with God and their spouses so that they are fully known and unashamed. In addition to teaching Awaken-Love classes, she helps lead women’s Bible study, serves on her church’s Marriage Ministry team, mentors women, and is an integral part of a church plant. Ruth has been happily married to her husband Jim for over 29 years and has raised four incredible daughters. She attends Plymouth Covenant Church in Plymouth, MN.
Most people realize how destructive sex is outside of God’s design, but do we also realize how powerful sex can be within marriage? Awaken Love gives couples an understanding of God’s design for sex. But we also go beyond these biblical truths to help you figure out how to experience God’s full freedom and blessing in your marriage. We don’t talk about sex just in vague spiritual terms but in respectful conversations that educate, encourage, and heal. Awaken Love is about reclaiming the amazing way that God gave us to connect with our spouses and acknowledging that it does not necessarily come naturally or easily. We invite you to begin a lifelong journey of growing in intimacy with your spouse today—a journey that never gets boring and brings you closer to God.
We believe:
1. God can transform you and your marriage.
2. God created sex for wives as much as for husbands.
3. Sex is a powerful gift from God that connects us in ways that are unexplainable.
4. Sex must be measured against God’s design—oneness, knowing, pleasure, etc.
5. God desires freedom in our marriage beds, but we must deal with the lies, baggage and body image issues that hold us back.
6. God wants us to experience so much more—marriage is not supposed to get boring.
7. Sex is much more than intercourse—it is seeing each other naked and unashamed, it is joining two into one, and it is a holy communion with God.
8. The best thing we can do for our kids is have a lifelong love affair with our spouse.
9. We can learn to talk about sex in good and healthy ways that equip and encourage others.
10. Intimacy is always about our relationship with God—it is a mirror.
Ruth offers classes on site and on line. She also holds speaking engagements.
She also offers a book, Awaken Love: The Truth About Sex that will Transform Your Marriage
After years of buying into the same old messages about sex, Ruth went searching for God’s truth and discovered something radically different. By sharing her own journey to sexual freedom and the stories of the women she’s taught, you will come away with a new mindset about sex and a deep-seated belief that God designed each of us unique, special – and created for delights.
Contact Ruth at ruth.awakenlove@gmail.com
See the recording of a zoom call with Ruth from June 22, 2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-uQDpSHLdc
In 2015, Dare to be Different entered into a partnership with Love and Respect to offer a marriage mentoring program like none other. President of Love and Respect, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs has authored several books, including the national bestseller Love & Respect. Emerson and his wife Sarah bring three decades of counseling as well as scientific and biblical research to our mentoring process. They believe in our method of mentoring as deeply as we believe in their message of Love and Respect. Together we offer the best marriage mentoring available, specializing in mentoring for couples in crisis.
See the recording of a zoom call with Matt from 5-18-2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncnwf3gGFQs
See the recording of a zoom call with Matt from June 1st, 2023:
https://youtu.be/Q-1ezfb705o
For further information see his website: www.daretobedifferent.com
Rob Carvell, born in England, started his adult life as a sound engineer touring the world with superstar rock and roll bands. But he received his call from God to come to the USA in 1976, this country’s bicentennial. He spent the next 12 years on the spiritual frontlines working with various programs and crusades, eventually becoming a pastor in Austin TX and then Little Rock AR. In 1988 he moved to NY to help build a TV and recording studio complex for the church and stayed on to help in its operations for 28 years. He continues to utilize this skill as a technical director and stage manager for various festivals such as the Rod of Iron Freedom Festival and the America the Great Festival held annually.
Gabriella (Gaia) Carvell, born in Italy, became a neo-natal nurse by her father’s choice. In 1976 she started a Ginseng business in Milano, traveling around Italy to demonstrate the wondrous medicinal value of this natural root. In 1986 she came to America where she focused on raising her children whilst providing full-time care for a relative with severe mental and physical handicaps. During this time, she studied holistic health care. But she was always ready to share her faith wherever, and with whoever she could. In 2015, after serving for a few years with a high-profile Anglican Bishop, she was ordained as a Chaplain. An ordinary woman doing extra-ordinary things.
Both having lost their first spouse, they re-married in 2016. Discovering their shared love for God and Christ, and their mutual desire to share this with others, they co-authored five books.
They now live in NE Tennessee and are both active in the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary simply known as Sanctuary Church.
Book Three of the Gospel Family Anthology
Sex dominates so much of who we are today, and along with the incredible confusion surrounding our sexual identity can bring us great misery. In this book, we look at sex from the Judeo/Christian perspective. With the operating instructions God has given us we can find happiness as an individual, as a family and as a society. The freedom that clarity of heart and mind brings is in stark contrast to the enslavement of carnal desires. We invite you to join us in this wonderful journey of discovery towards true love.
What is the difference between a man and a woman? Their bodies, including the sexual organs. The human sexual organs are shaped as concave and convex. Why are they shaped differently? Each is for the sake of the other. A man’s sexual organ exist for the sake of a woman. A woman’s sexual organ exists for the sake of a man. Until now, we did not know the fact that, absolutely, a woman’s sexual organ belongs to her husband, and a man’s sexual organ belongs to his wife. By owning each other’s sexual organs, a husband and wife can come to know True Love.
For more information you can visit their website: www.HeadwingWay.com
See the recording of a zoom call with Rob and Gaia Carvell from September 21, 2023
Soul Refiner is a Ministry of Kingdom Works Studio. That is a Christian film studio that empowers the church to grow the Kingdom of God. Their videos heal broken lives and set captives free. The Soul Refiner series are used across denominations; the studies are about struggles every Christian encounters at some point in their walk and pursuit of living more like Jesus.
Lamar and Kristina are married for 24 years and work for Soul Refiner. Lamar is a retired naval officer with a background in operations management and large group leadership. But more than anything, he is focused on ensuring Kristina survives raising their four sons without long-term psychological damage.
Kristina is a retired Physical Therapy professor whose passion was teaching neurology. She transitioned her academic pursuits by studying mental health counseling at Liberty University so she could further help men and women who have been impacted by infidelity and sex addiction. More importantly, she is deathly afraid of roaches and absolutely adores a fresh fired crème brulee.
Lamar and Kristina went through their own personal struggles beginning in 2015....BUT God, rich in mercy, saw them through to a redemptive marriage full of meaning, love, and purpose. They are committed to seeing other couples learn from their mistakes and perhaps discover a new marital journey.
For more information about Soul Refiner see their website: soulrefiner.com
See the recording of a zoom call with Lamar and Kristina from 11-2-2023: https://youtu.be/gBOdsp1LpHo
Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerich
Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have already taken the Love and Respect message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other.A wife has one driving need – to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need – to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy.What do you want for your marriage? Want some peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? Want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some Love and Respect?
www.loveandrespect.com
Mark Gungor
Improve your marriage and reduce marital problems with Mark Gungor's exclusive advice. Mark Gungor, one of the most sought-out speakers on love and marriage, explores the underlying dynamics of male/female relationships, combing striking clarity and practical solutions to common relationship woes. Mark's humor makes his teaching enjoyable, effective and memorable, helping husbands and wives remember these insights and immediately put them to work.
Dr. Doug Weiss
"ADDICTION IS A CHOICE...
AND BECAUSE IT'S A CHOICE,
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GET BETTER."
Dr. Doug Weiss, the founder and executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center, is a nationally recognized psychologist and sexual addiction expert who coined the term intimacy anorexia almost a decade ago. Dr. Weiss has dedicated his life to help others understand sexual addiction and intimacy anorexia, provided quality training for counselors around the world and continues to use his expertise to heal marriages.
Our hope is to provide you with healing and tools to transform your life. Our mission is to rebuild your relationships and make them stronger and better than ever before. Our counseling and intensive programs will help you heal and begin to live the life you were intended to live.
https://www.drdougweiss.com/
Sharon Slater
Sharon Slater, co-founder of Family Watch International, has dedicated the past ten years of her life to defending marriage, family and life. Whether it be in a remote village in Africa, addressing 1.5 million people at a pro-marriage rally in Spain, or opposing challenges to family values in the United States, Canada or at the United Nations, Sharon has taken a leading role in organizing support and always makes a difference.
Family Watch works to protect and promote the family as the fundamental unit of society at the international, national and local level through education, pro-family advocacy, and family-based humanitarian aid.
To protect the family by working to preserve and promote traditional marriage, safeguard parental rights, defend human life, uphold religious liberty, and protect the health and innocence of children.
Family Watch policy positions are based on scientific research, social science data, lessons from history, and what has been proven across cultures to produce the best outcomes for men, women, children and, thus, for society.
familywatch.org
Mark And Jan Gregston
When we started out almost 30 years ago, my wife Jan and I could never have predicted our “small idea” of helping kids would one day become a haven of hope and a place of healing for countless families across the U.S.
Known as one of the top facilities of our kind in the country, I say proudly that Heartlight is dedicated to excellence, committed to results, and fully structured around the family. It’s the reason we’ve been able to serve so many struggling teens and seen such dramatic turnarounds.
Our facility is second to none, our program is remarkably effective, and our staff is incredibly passionate about our mission—bringing help and hope to parents and teens.
www.heartlightministries.org/about-us
The Parenting Today’s Teens radio program and podcast offers biblical insights and practical wisdom to help you gain a deeper relationship with your teen. We also offer free online parenting courses, eBooks and events to guide you through the turbulent teenage years.
Tough Guys and Drama Queens
For almost 40 years, we’ve been passionate about guiding kids and parents through the turbulent teenage years. Tough Guys and Drama Queens has been a huge part of that mission, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer it now, to you, as a free online course!
This two-week course will give you a look into why traditional parenting techniques aren’t as effective as they used to be, the pressures they face in today’s culture, and how to build a stronger relationship with your teen throughout the tricky experiences they’ll have during these years.
For many more free online courses please visit parentingtodaysteens.org/free-resources/
Rev. Hyung Jin Sean Moon is the youngest son of Rev. Sun Myung Moon. In 2013 he and his family moved to Pennsylvania and he founded together with his wife the “World Peace and Unification Sanctuary (WPUS). Initially, worship services were held in his home. By May 2014, the congregation grew to the point where a dedicated building was necessary. The Sanctuary Church of Newfoundland got established. In the meantime his ministry grew to a worldwide ministry.
Watch Pastor Hyung Jin Moon giving a Blessing of Marriage Preparation session: