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Changing Canada One Marriage at a Time

Written by Jennifer Penner

December 6, 2013

Is there a future for marriage in a society where a once esteemed institution has been devalued, divorce is all too common, and families are torn apart?

Christ-centred marriages

In a society with a roughly 50% divorce rate, FamilyLife passionately believes that wholesome, long-lasting marriages can only truly happen when God is at the centre. “God created marriage for our good, and there is a way to do it that’s healthy and whole,” says Sharol Josephson, co-director of FamilyLife (along with her husband, Neil). “Marriage is good, not just because it works on a societal level, but it’s good for us as individuals. There’s a spillover effect, not just on our kids, but also expands to our network of people,” she adds.

At the heart of FamilyLife’s mission is promoting healthy, Christ-centred marriages through yearly conferences that happen in the fall and spring across various cities in Canada. It’s here where couples from a vast range of ages, experiences, and Christian or non-Christian backgrounds come to discover the relevance of Jesus Christ in their marriages and lives. For many, it is a life-changing event where they accept Christ for the first time, or recommit their lives back to God. “Sometimes, this number is as high as 50%,” says Neil Josephson. “We have seen dramatic change.”

Case in point: Neil shares the story of a couple who came to a conference, both having divorce papers already signed by their lawyers back home. After the weekend was over, they returned home, tore up their papers, and decided to start over in their marriage. This same couple was so impacted by the ministry that they also wanted to become donors to FamilyLife as well.

2013 marks the launch of a brand new FamilyLife conference curriculum that has been uniquely adapted for a Canadian audience. From listening to and encouraging feedback from people, FamilyLife has designed the new curriculum to present biblical principles in fresh, insightful ways that can be understood by those with no Christian background. So far, it has really resonated well with participants.

Homebuilders

At the heart of FamilyLife’s mission is also the desire to see the ripple effects of healthy, godly marriages in society – one transformed couple at a time.

Last year, a couple came to a Weekend Getaway conference in Collingwood, Ontario. They returned again this year and brought another couple with them. After returning home, they also started a small group study at their church using FamilyLife resources. This is just one of many examples of how FamilyLife helps couples, who in turn, become volunteers and help other couples.

Building and growing a volunteer movement, known as Homebuilders, is integral to the process of the multiplying strong marriages and seeing the impact on couples, families, communities, and even countries.

While the state of marriage may seem somewhat bleak in Canada, there is a glimmer of hope in that two-thirds of first time marriages do not end in divorce. Couples can save their marriages with the help of FamilyLife and bring positive change to the home.

“In a culture where there are a lot of negative perceptions about marriage, we want not just to touch the country, but change it. Our role is to create pockets of wholeness across the country, with God’s help,” says Sharol.