Karen and Wayne Jacobs are leaders of the Marriage Moments ministry, and they had this to say to those considering attending:

“There is power in telling a story—especially our personal story. When we put words on our authentic, vulnerable, sometimes laughable realities, we build bonds through shared human experiences. We listen to the stories of others and experience the commonality of the human heart. Sharing and listening to life stories paves a path for affirmation, inspiration, empathy, and connection.

“God offers his Church the Bible as a holy example of the power and influence of storytelling. Reading, studying, and meditating on his sacred word brings us into deeper relationships with our Creator and with the longings of our heart and soul. Hearing the timelines, parables, and events of Scripture unifies individuals as they listen and learn alongside one another.

“God desires to use our stories as a means for his presence in the world. As we tell a story and give glory to God, we may open someone’s eyes to recognize his hand in their own life.

“We attended Marriage Moments when we began attending Mobberly. We realized it was a valuable resource for families of all ages. That journey led to us becoming certified through the Prepare/Enrich program. We continue to work with couples individually as well as participate in Marriage Moments. God continues to lay upon our hearts the need for strong marriages. That is the basis for building strong communities and ultimately changing the world for Christ.

Just come and join in! We have couples (and some singles) of all ages that join us on the second Monday in Longview, the second Wednesday of every other month for Marshall, and the fourth Monday of each month for Mobberly Español. It is an intergenerational ministry, and we learn from each other. As an added bonus, it is also a great date night.

Our heart’s desire has been for this ministry to grow. It has nothing to do with us but with the powerful impact marriages have on families and communities. The most impactful piece of the ministry is seeing the bonding that occurs when you realize that you and your spouse are not an ‘island.’ There are those that have gone before and those that will come after who will become part of your ‘family story.’ Many of our couples have shared that the activities have been exactly what they needed at that time of their lives.”