Marriage Ministries

Willowdale’s Marriage Ministry offers a variety of marriage enrichment and focus groups that may readily fit into this season of your life.  Whether you are seriously dating, engaged, newly married, or looking to enrich your marriage, we have a place for you to begin the process of gaining and regaining momentum.

Perhaps you are looking to find family support and growth within the context of both your marriage and family unit.  Circumstances may have led you into a blended family situation, or maybe you find yourselves navigating life as a special needs family.  Take hope! We have formed amazing focus groups for you as husband and wife. If yours is a young family with small children and you are hoping to find a network of support and a healthy, family-friendly community, we offer that, too!

If you are interested in participating in one of the Marriage Ministry opportunities listed below or if you have questions, please contact Brett Foester at bfoester@willowdalechapel.org.

MERGE GROUP

Seriously Dating and Engaged Couples

Merge is a premarital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples.  It provides opportunities to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun, and authentic environment.  Merge addresses common questions and challenges from a biblical perspective. 

Merge meets one night a week for 13-weeks. We use the book Ready or Knot by Scott Kedersha for guided conversations. It’s a great resource that offers us twelve conversations that every couple needs to have before marriage or just starting out. The in-person group experience involves group gatherings, discussions with your mentor couple, with weekly homework that lends itself to working on your togetherness. There will be some time to also enjoy food and other activities. But perhaps the most exciting aspect is you get to find friendship and community with other like-minded couples the can lead to life-long friendship.

We also offer 1:1 mentoring and seriously dating/premarital counseling using the relationship assessment tool SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts).

FOUNDATION GROUPS

NEWLY YOUNG MARRIED (5 YRS OR LESS)

The first few years of marriage are often incredibly difficult, and without community and support, even more so.  Couples need an intentional environment focused on laying a foundation on which to build their marriage.  Foundation groups provide just that.  As couples establish this solid foundation, they meet weekly as a group to discuss topics related to marriage, their relationship with the Lord and relationships with each other.

RE|ENGAGE

MARRIED COUPLES LOOKING FOR ENRICHMENT & MARRIAGE MOMENTUM

Re|engage is a relationship-enrichment program for any marriage, in any condition.  Whether you’re hanging by a thread or looking to go from good to great, re|engage examines God’s design for marriage and applies biblical principles to deepen your relationship.

Re|engage offers both Large and Small Groups that are a critical part of the experience. Each week you’ll receive encouragement as you hear stories from other couples who’ve survived hard times and have begun to thrive on the other side. We invite you to join us on Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at our Kennett Campus. Childcare is not provided. No need to register.

Large Group

Every week begins in a large group setting.  Here you’ll hear stories of hope from other couples whose marriages have been transformed.  Re|engage leaders will also share practical steps you can take to improve your own relationship.

Small Group

After meeting as a large group, participants will break off into smaller groups, with each group led by a facilitator couple. Together, you and your small group will work through the 16-lesson curriculum and learn how to effectively communicate, resolve conflict, and grow closer to your spouse.

EMERGING FAMILIES

YOUNG FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN (AGES 0-10)

This community group experience is a place where young families, who are growing and developing, can gain traction as they face the challenges of raising young children. Too often they feel isolated and out of touch because they lack a community of support.  Emerging Families creates opportunities for these families to come together and develop friendships and community in biblical and relational ways.