We know the facts but we needed reminders:
Children benefit from two parent homes:
- 80% less likely to live in poverty and rely on welfare;
- Lower involvement in drug and alcohol abuse, gangs, and crime.
Marriage is good for men and women:
- Increasing the likelihood of better health, lower rates of disability
- Reducing the rates of drug and alcohol abuse
Marriage means better economic outcomes:
- Over a ten year period, tax payers save about $100,000 for every marriage saved
- Children are more likely to complete college and have better jobs
Over 30 faith leaders were reminded that marriage matters. We gathered at Family Life on January 8th. Leaders from non profits, churches, state and government organizations came together because of their desire to improve the health of marriages in our area.
We gathered together to do more than review the facts. We gathered to be reminded that a united church is needed to impact our continued high divorce rates and decreased marriage rates. We came together because God wants us to serve together.
A united church does what we did. We cried out to God, we recognized our role in not working together to impact marriages. We sought his forgiveness, his power to bring hope.
We committed in our own congregations to engage in National Marriage Week, Feb. 7-14.
We each agreed to do something this week, a sermon, a date night, a workshop, something to encourage marriage. We connected with each other to being a long journey of being more intentional in the way we support marriages.
We prayed as we launched this network of leaders who want to identify strategic ways to improve the way we encourage marriage. The Central Arkansas Healthy Marriage Initiative (CAMI) was launched with a clear mission–to improve the lives of Arkansas by promoting healthy marital relationships. CAMI participants are bridge builders who connect folks interested in God’s plan for marriage with a desire to strengthen couples and families.
Contact Phil Goad ([email protected]) if you want more information about National Marriage Week or CAMI.
This article was contributed by Gerald Driskill, a member of the Nehemiah Network Servant Leader Team and Chairman of the Central Arkansas Marriage Initiative.
