Hillvue Heights Church

Marriage Ministry

The Hillvue Heights Church "Marriage Ministry" exists to promote healthy marriage lifestyles. We actively support the vision of the church (C₃HD) by equipping, nurturing, and ministering to all couples in every phase of their relationships. Married couples are encouraged to live Christ-centered relationships and help us connect other couples to Christ.

There are many opportunities for those seeking marital growth via premarital counseling, marriage counseling, marriage enrichment Bible studies, marriage retreats, marriage social outings, and marriage support resources. We also offer support to those struggling with separation and facing divorce.

We are a place for all people, and together, we seek to help all of us have better relationships with ourselves, our spouse, our family, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We want the absolute best for married couples and seek to promote growth on many different levels through every facet of married life.

Marriage Enrichment

The 1^st Century believers demonstrated the importance of building strong and healthy relationships with fellow believers (Acts 2:42-47). Essential to their faith was the strength of their families. The health and strength of 21^st Century believers' families is constantly challenged. Life is fast-paced and it is sometimes difficult to find the time, energy and resources necessary for nurturing and enhancing our marriage relationships. It is our desire to help relationships grow and become more godly so that the Lordship of Christ impacts our daily lives.

The following Marriage Enrichment Classes are currently being offered at Hillvue Heights Church:

Marriage enrichment classes involve the holistic development of couples. We do this through providing classes and weekend seminars that address a wide range of concerns. Some of these concerns include but are not limited to:

• How to communicate more effectively with your spouse.
• How to resolve conflict.
• Personal finances.
• Spiritual growth.
• Understanding marital roles and gender differences.
• Romance and sexuality.
• Parenting issues.
• Blended family issues
• Time management.
• The "Empty Nest" syndrome.

It is our desire to create spaces for community and learning in order to assist couples as they establish healthy, long-lasting friendships where sharing and personal growth can occur. It is fun and exciting to watch God at work in our marriages! We hope you will be a part of it.

Marriage on the Move

Sometimes things are moving so fast that we rarely pause to relax and enjoy the company of our spouses and other married couples. The Marriage on the Move Ministry helps married couples take time to address some of their social and developmental needs. We do this by providing opportunities for you and your spouse to join with other married couples in community.

Registration for most events is available at the Marriage Ministry Table in the Atrium of Hillvue Heights Church or by contacting Pastor Jeff Reynolds via our "Contact Us" page.

Some of our events include but are not limited to...

• "One Night With You" events with Marriage Enhancement Speakers
• Annual Cookouts and Outings
• Marriage Retreats
• Couples' Amazing Race
• Ballroom Dancing Lessons

Premarital Counseling

This ministry provides "building blocks" for healthy, long-lasting marriages that bring glory to God. In Ephesians 5:21-33, the Apostle Paul compares the relationship between husbands and wives to the relationship Jesus has with the church. In this comparison, Jesus is the sacrificial and loving husband and the church is the trusting and devoted bride. An absolute commitment exists in such a covenantal relationship where Jesus is Lord and the marriage unit lives in submission to Him.

In premarital counseling, we answer the question, "What is marriage?" by pointing couples toward a Biblical understanding of this God-given relationship. The following areas are covered:

• Biblical Foundations for Marriage (i.e., God's expectations)
• The Celebration and Gravity of Marriage
• Three-Dimensional Oneness
• The Pot-Holes of Marriage That Must Be Avoided
• Healthy Boundaries with In-Laws and Friends
• Intimacy in Marriage
• Family Financial Stewardship

Premarital counseling is required for anyone being joined in marriage by a pastor at Hillvue Heights Church and must occur at least two months prior to the wedding date. Begin your premarital counseling sessions by contacting the church office.

Marriage Life Support

Are you a couple in crisis? Are you and your spouse finding it difficult to see eye to eye? Do you feel distance between you and your spouse? Has there been some kind of abuse, addiction or infidelity that has eroded your relationship? If so, we want you to know that there is hope! The hope we speak of is found in a relationship with Christ and knowing that He has the ultimate plan for complete recovery, reconciliation and healing. Not only can your marriage be renewed or reconciled, you and your spouse can be living witnesses of God's grace and power.

Hosea 6:3 provides the underlying biblical truth that drives this ministry: "Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him." It is when we "acknowledge" the Lord that we experience healing. Our marriages heal as we continue to "press on" in our relationship with God through Christ and His community.

If your marriage is in the middle of a major or minor crisis, the Marriage Life Support Ministry is available to help you. We provide opportunities for couples to receive:

• Helpful guidance in the form of marriage mentoring
• Short-term counseling
• Counseling referrals
• Classes
• Prayer support

Come let the healing love of Christ bring recovery and reconciliation to you and your marriage through this ministry.

If you would like to learn more about or serve in Marriage and Family Ministries at Hillvue,
please contact Pastor Jeff Reynolds at (270) 842-0012, ext. 120.

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