Is God Calling You Back to Marriage Encounter?

Is God Calling You Back to Marriage Encounter?

by | Apr 21, 2026 | Couple Resources, Faith & Relationships, Marriage Encounter, Marriage Enrichment

Try to remember your original Marriage Encounter weekend. What feeling rises up in your heart?

Was it peace… hope… a deeper sense of love and commitment?

Was it simply a weekend you attended, or was it an experience you felt called to be part of?

So many couples walk away changed, touched by grace in ways they never expected. While not everyone feels called to become involved right away, that invitation does not disappear. It remains gently waiting.

For some, the call to serve comes immediately. For others, it unfolds slowly over time.

Whenever that stirring returns to your heart, know this: it is never too late to respond. God works in His time, and when you feel that nudge again, it may be His way of inviting you to share the gift you once received.

Our community of Team Couples who serve as facilitators for Marriage Encounter would welcome you with open arms and joyful hearts.

Serving in this way is more than helping others. It is also a gift you give to your own marriage. Even if you choose to serve just once a year, the grace you experience, the connection you deepen, and the love you rediscover can be truly profound.

The process itself is simple, enriching, and non-threatening. You are never alone in it. God works through each couple in a unique way, using your story, your love, your challenges, and your willingness to bless others.

If you feel even the slightest nudge in your heart, it may be an invitation worth exploring.

Please call Mary at 651.454.3238 or email mary@marriages.org.

She would love to talk with you.

Strong Marriages Strengthen the World Around Us

Strong Marriages Strengthen the World Around Us

by | Feb 18, 2026 | Marriage Enrichment, Marriage Reflection

Here is the article. There’s a lot of truth in the idea that strong marriages ripple outward. When two people commit to loving each other well—especially when it’s hard—that stability doesn’t just bless them. It shapes children, friendships, churches, neighborhoods. Throughout history, cultures have relied on families as their foundation, and when those relationships are steady and healthy, communities feel more grounded too.

I really like the image of family being a laboratory for learning how to love. Marriage can be one of the most intense classrooms for that. It has a way of exposing selfishness pretty quickly. The daily, ordinary choices—doing the dishes, running errands, listening when you’re tired—become the real proving ground. That’s where “Love sincerely. . . Hold on to what is good. Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other” from Romans 12:9–10 moves from theory into practice.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that marriage isn’t the only path to becoming loving and mature. Single people, widows, close friends, ministers, priests—each relationship gives opportunities to grow in patience, generosity, and self-giving. A healthy culture needs all of those vocations. Love isn’t limited to one state of life.
What stands out most is the humility that comes with time. After decades together, love looks less like grand gestures and more like quiet faithfulness. It looks like respect, forgiveness, and choosing the other person again and again. When couples live that way, they don’t just strengthen their own bond—they quietly strengthen the world around them, and we thank God for that!

MN Marriage Encounter has been building strong marriages since 1972. Nobody is turned away based on their ability to pay. Our Scholarship Fund covers the cost of a Marriage Encounter for couples in a financially difficult situation. We are attempting to build our monthly donors, please consider giving $20, $40, or $50 a month to sustain this crucial ministry. Thank you immensely for whatever you are able to give at: https://marriages.org/donate/

Choosing Hope and Faith When Life Gets Heavy

Choosing Hope and Faith When Life Gets Heavy

by | Jan 22, 2026 | Faith & Relationships, Marriage Enrichment, Marriage Growth

Choosing Hope and Faith When Life Gets Heavy

Today I feel moved to touch on something most people only understand after they have lived a while. Hope and faith are not just nice ideas. They are things that actually show up when life gets heavy. It is easy to talk about them when everything is fine, but they become real in complicated and painful seasons when there is nothing else to lean on.

When Hope and Faith Become Real

My friend’s illness highlights this so clearly. When health, control, and certainty disappear, hope and faith do not erase the suffering. Instead, they give it meaning and direction. They become less about things turning out perfectly and more about trusting that we are not alone and that something good can still grow, even in the middle of the struggle.

Finding Meaning in Illness and Uncertainty

In seasons like this, hope and faith take on a deeper shape. They remind us that hardship does not define the end of the story. Even when answers are unclear and the road feels overwhelming, faith allows us to keep moving forward, believing that God is present and working in ways we may not yet see.

How Hard Seasons Strengthen Marriage

This belief touches marriages as well. The hardest seasons often shape the deepest intimacy. When couples walk through fear, conflict, or uncertainty together and choose not to run from it, those moments can become the foundation of real unity and love. These experiences stretch us, soften us, and teach us how to truly see each other as we are. Two imperfect people learning to celebrate their differences.

Trusting God and Each Other Through the Struggle

Hope and faith may be difficult to measure or define, but they are incredibly powerful. They do not take us around the crisis. They carry us through it. On the other side, we often find a deeper kind of joy than we could have imagined before. Make the choice to focus on hope and faith, in the Lord and in each other.

Summer Love: What the Season Can Teach Us About Marriage

Summer Love: What the Season Can Teach Us About Marriage

by | Jul 2, 2025 | Marriage Encounter Reflections, Marriage Enrichment, Seasonal Reflections

Summer Love: What the Season Can Teach Us About Marriage

The Gift of Summer in Minnesota

Living in Minnesota, the arrival of summer is like a breath of fresh air — literally and emotionally. After a long winter, those warm days invite us outside to soak in the sunshine and enjoy everything from lake swims and scenic golf outings to backyard picnics and long-awaited family vacations. It’s a season that almost begs us to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with the people we love.

How Marriage Mirrors the Season

In the same way, marriage can mirror the beauty of summer. When it’s growing, enriching, and grounded in love, it becomes the sunshine that warms everything else. It turns a simple day at the lake into a memory, a family road trip into an adventure, and a quiet evening on the porch into something sacred. Just like summer enhances the beauty of Minnesota, a strong marriage enhances all the moments that make life good.

Storms Come, but Love Endures

Of course, even in summer, storms roll in — and marriage is no different. But when a couple is committed to loving and learning from each other, those passing clouds don’t ruin the season. They just remind us to hold each other a little tighter and to be grateful for the clear skies that follow.

So here’s to summer — and to marriages that blossom right along with it. Let’s not just enjoy the season, but also take time to invest in the relationship that brings joy to every part of it.

Plan now to attend the Marriage Encounter on October 11–12 or December 6–7.

Marriage Encounter has been enriching, saving, and celebrating marriages in Minnesota, surrounding states, and beyond for over fifty years. Whether your marriage is good, mediocre, or struggling, it’s the best program for YOU.

Register now at marriages.org/register-for-encounter/ to give your relationship the sunshine it deserves.

@ marriageencounter

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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.

Falling in Love Again: A Season of Reflection and Growth

Falling in Love Again: A Season of Reflection and Growth

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Fall Reflections, Love and Commitment, Marriage Enrichment, Relationship Advice, Uncategorized

In the fall of the year, there’s a certain magic in the air, isn’t there? The temperatures start to drop, the trees turn brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red, and everything feels a bit cozier. Fall has a way of slowing things down just enough to really appreciate the beauty around us. Whether it’s taking a peaceful walk through a park filled with fallen leaves or enjoying a warm drink on a crisp evening, it’s a season that invites us to reflect and recharge.

For many people, fall also brings a sense of preparation. With the holidays approaching, it can be a time to focus on family, traditions, and the things that matter most. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but fall reminds us to take a moment, breathe in that cool, fresh air, and enjoy the present.

In this season of fall, let’s work on falling deeper in love! Love really does go beyond feelings, which can be fleeting or change with time and seasons. Choosing to love, especially, until death do we part, means committing to action, even on days when the emotions may not be as strong or present. It’s in the small, daily decisions — showing kindness, offering support, being patient — that love deepens and strengthens over time.

Years of experience in marriage helps us to see how love evolves. The initial spark might look different as the years go by but choosing to invest in each other consistently is what keeps the flame alive. It’s about knowing your partner’s needs, dreams, and well-being matter just as much, or a more intense love means their needs mean more than your own. 

When you commit to falling in love over and over again, it becomes a shared journey, full of rediscovery. Whether it’s trying new things together, reminiscing about old memories, or simply enjoying each other’s presence, you nurture that bond. Every day offers a fresh chance to grow deeper in love, by choice.