On the weekend of November 3–5, 2006—the first of two H.I.M.-sponsored marriage conferences this year—couples gathered in Jackson, New Hampshire, at the historic Eagle Mountain House to consider marriage God's way. The theme was "Mission: Possible—How to have a blockbuster marriage," and was carried out in the main sessions by speakers Paul and Virginia Friesen, who spoke on Mission Perfect (God's design), Mission Sabotaged (Satan's destruction), Mission Redeemed (reconciliation through Jesus) and Mission Reclaimed (our hope for vital marriages.) The "blockbuster" element was carried out by an old-fashioned popcorn machine running constantly (thanks to Jim Martis) to provide attendees with fresh hot popcorn throughout the sessions. Barbara Franks did a great job of coordinating the decorations and on-site registration. The "all hands on deck" effort to make it a great weekend additionally included John Nugent, emcee extraordinaire; Nate and Jeannie King, who managed the book table; and Barbara Steele, without whom not much would ever happen.

From newlywed couples (the "youngest" marriage present was 4.5 months) to two over-fifty-year marriages (54 and 58, to be exact) and everything in between, the breadth and depth of experience was represented. From thriving to struggling marriages, from full nests to empty nests, all came with hopes of being encouraged in the journey.

And God was there. At work. Through worship, workshops, main sessions, and side-bars, His presence was palpable. That is, after all, our only hope for our growing Christlikeness.

Danny and Rayna Oertli (www.dannyoertli.com) from Parker, Colorado, lead us in worship, humbly and vitally, and additionally taught a workshop and performed a concert Saturday evening. They were loved! Many took them "home" with them in the form of CD's, so touched were they by the authenticity of their lives and the compelling nature of their music.

Workshops were also led by John and Marilyn Nugent, Doug and Julie Macrae, Eric Swanson, and Paul and Virginia Friesen. Topics dealt with included marital sexuality, marital vitality, marital spirituality, and marital challenges with extended family and finances.

By God's grace, couples left the conference better equipped to keep growing in their marriages. Following the weekend, one husband wrote: "As you taught transparently using illustrations from your own weaknesses and challenges, you help us understand our own challenges and the fact that we need to take steps continually to improve in our relationship with our spouses and with our relationship with God."

Wise couples are committed to "annual marital check-ups." One wrote, "I spoke with a coworker Sunday evening after the conference. He asked why we went to Jackson. When I explained, he promptly apologized, saying he didn't realize my husband and I were having problems. I said, 'We aren't,' and that led to a baffled moment of silence on his end." They "aren't" in part because they've made their marriage a priority and are proactively working to keep it alive and growing.

Shooting the theory that "all marriages need to be strengthened by marriage conferences," however, the longest married couple at the weekend (58 years and counting) was attending their first ever marriage conference! Just happens that after all those years, being the parents of the presenting couple was reason enough to come. It was such a personal delight for us to share the weekend with Virginia's parents, RADM and Mrs. Frank Collins, Jr., (ret), who added plenty of color to the weekend as they interacted with the rest. Marriage conferences or not, they attributed the strength and vitality of their marriage to the Lord.

He is our hope.

The next Marriage Conference will take place on the weekend of March 30-April 1 with David Hegg as speaker, and will also be held at the Eagle Mountain House. We expect this conference to fill quickly, so we would encourage you to register soon. If your registration and $75 deposit are received by January 1, 2007, you will receive the early bird discount rate of $290 for the weekend. This would make a great Christmas present to a spouse or a couple who could use a weekend away to focus on the Lord and each other.