Several times, my pastor has asked me to get licensed to perform marriages for couples in our church.  I didn't really need something else to do, so I declined.  This year, however, I coached many couples as they prepared for their big day.  I was able to share the gospel with seven couples, and I realized the importance of this ministry.  If we are going to help leaders have great marriages, we must start before they get married and become leaders.  Now I am officially licensed in New York to perform weddings.  I am excited about this new opportunity for ministry.

I was at dinner with someone I am mentoring.  As the waitress approached, it was obvious that she was distraught.  Immediately I asked her if she was okay.and she tried to brush me off.  That's a typical response in NYC where you aren't expected to strike up a conversation. 
*As April returned, I mentioned that we were going to pray for our meal.  I asked her if there was something I could pray about for her.  She was so surprised and told us that she was having a very difficult evening.  As time went by, she kept finding reasons to end up at our table.  Each time I shared a bit more about Jesus.  Each time she opened up more about her situation.
*Eventually April let me pray for her in front of her boss and the other customers in that crowded Manhattan diner.  She told me that her mom used to drag her to church and she wanted to return.  I gave her my email address and she wrote me back.  Come to find out, April lives practically next door to our church!  The chances of that are one in a million (literally).    Please pray that April will attend church, and more importantly, give her live to the Lord.

 Another Marriage Workshop  

We've led workshops just about every month this past year.  On June 8th, we led our last one of the school  year.  Honestly, I was feeling like it was just one more seminar to check off the list.  Was I ever surprised!  In addition to those who signed up, we had three couples walk in who had not registered.  None of them belonged to a church, and had just happened to find us on the web or through a friend! 
*Abe and Gail have been living together for years.  They were in a terrible relationship, yet looking to get married in the fall.  Abe has been verbally abusive to Gail and we encouraged her to seriously consider if she wanted to live that way.  Now Gail has moved back in with her parents and has started faithfully attending our church.  Successfully keeping a couple from making bad choices is as important as helping couples make good choices.
*Dan and Ruth never go to church, and Dan is agnostic.  They heard about the workshop through a friend who does go to church with us.  The couple have been married for eight years and have two children. They have been separated for several months.  After attending the workshop, they came to me for coaching.  I recommended they see a Christian counselor, which they have begun doing.  Things are looking better for them and they have begun visiting our church. 
*Santo and Ellie have successfully used the tools we presented and just emailed me last week that they are doing well.  They are so grateful for the boost.  Please pray for these folks that they would fully place their lives and marriages into the hands of Jesus.

Pam just wrapped up a whole year of leading the marriage ministry at our church. As we looked back at the list of accomplishments, we were both very excited about all that God had done.  Pam hosted a celebration with all the couples who led marriage groups and events.  It was great to hear how God had come to each leader over the year.  It's been a high light for Pam to build into these folks.
*Next year, Pam will be in charge of all the marriage small groups.  As a coach, she'll have the chance to pastor the leaders and help them improve their leadership skills.  Please pray for her in this role.

More children in America are now born out of wedlock than those born to a married couple.  In the inner city of New York at least 80% of children are born out of wedlock!  Satan is trying to destroy the family, but we know that God is bigger.