A Christmas Gift That Strengthens Marriages for a Lifetime

A Christmas Gift That Strengthens Marriages for a Lifetime

by | Dec 17, 2025 | Donate, Holiday Giving, Marriage Encounter, Marriage Strengthening

Marriage and Engaged Encounter continues to thrive, thanks be to God.

We are blessed with strong attendance, generous donors, and a community that believes deeply in the power of marriage. This season invites us to reflect on goodwill, joy, love, and giving with open hearts.

While our ministry is financially stable today, we also recognize how quickly circumstances can change, both for our program and for the couples who need it most. That is why your continued generosity matters.

Most donated funds go directly to our Scholarship Fund, which helps cover the full cost of a Marriage Encounter weekend. In 2026, that cost is $425 per couple. Scholarships may also provide partial assistance for couples who are facing financial hardship. Your gift helps ensure that no couple is turned away because of cost.

We invite you to think back on your own Marriage Encounter experience. Remember the love, hope, healing, and renewal you felt. Your donation makes it possible for another couple to experience that same transformation.

Reflections from a recent weekend clearly show how powerful this ministry continues to be. Couples shared how meaningful it was to step away from daily distractions and find the space to truly talk. Many learned tools to heal conflict, rediscovered emotional connection, and experienced God’s presence in a deeply authentic way. Some arrived feeling stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed, and left with renewed commitment, deeper understanding, and real hope for their future together, living out their promise of “until death do we part.”

If you feel called to help another couple experience this renewal, please consider donating to our Scholarship Fund: Click here to donate

Your generosity is an investment in marriages, families, and lives changed for the better. It is truly a gift that keeps giving for generations to come.

If you are unsure what amount to give, we offer $50 and $100 gift certificates, or you may choose to sponsor the full cost of a weekend.
We thank you for your continued prayers, support, and open hearts.

A blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Celebrating the Season of Giving: Supporting MN Marriage Encounter’s Scholarship Fund in February

Celebrating the Season of Giving: Supporting MN Marriage Encounter’s Scholarship Fund in February

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Community Engagement, Fundraising, Holiday Giving, Marriage Enrichment, Nonprofit Updates

 
 

A Season of Connection, Faith, and Giving

With the holidays approaching, we’re gearing up for a season filled with connection, devotion, and moments of joy. It’s a wonderful time to focus on fun, faith, and fellowship—whether it’s cozy gatherings, faith-based events, or festive harvest celebrations that bring everyone together. This season of togetherness also brings a meaningful twist to our work at MN Marriage Encounter by adding an “F” word into the mix—fundraising. While fundraising can sometimes feel uncomfortable or make people a bit uneasy, it’s a vital part of making our impactful projects possible.

When done thoughtfully, fundraising can be a powerful way to unite people. As we rally around a cause that excites us, we’re hopeful that this will be a time to strengthen our Marriage Encounter community and inspire fresh involvement. This season is a great opportunity to get creative—think about ways you can get involved and support us with simple, meaningful actions that align with our theme of fellowship.

For the past twelve years, MN Marriage Encounter has hosted our annual fundraiser during Give to the Max Day. However, this year, the board has decided to move our fundraising efforts to February, the month of love. Here’s why we’re making this change:

Why We’re Moving Our Fundraiser to February

At GiveMN, we appreciate the transparency they provide regarding the cost of fundraising. They charge a 6.9% processing fee plus a $0.30 per transaction fee for every donation made on their platform. While they provide an excellent platform, we believe that using these funds for fees isn’t the best use of our resources. Instead, we’ll be processing donations through PayPal, which charges a much lower 1.99% processing fee plus $0.49 per transaction, ensuring that more of your generous donations go directly to the Marriage Encounter Scholarship Fund.

You will receive several emails prior to Valentine’s Day, encouraging you to support our Scholarship Fund, which covers the total or partial cost of a Marriage Encounter for financially needy couples. The marriage enrichment achieved is exactly what they need at a difficult time in their marriage! 

Donations will be accepted through our secure donation page: https://marriages.org/donate/.

Please pray for the success of this initiative, and when February rolls around, encourage your family, friends, and co-workers to support couples in need, helping them enrich their marriages through MN Marriage Encounter.

Enjoy every moment with family and friends during this wonderful holiday season!

We thank you for your support and generosity. Together, we can make a lasting impact and strengthen marriages throughout Minnesota.