Looking Back at the Marriage Enrichment Course
Dear COAH,
Looking back at the past 20 years of ministry, I am grateful. One of the training programs I initiated was the Couple’s Marriage Enrichment Course. After attending a week-long training course by Hi-Family, Meja and I introduced the course to our church (KM). This ministry for married couples continued for almost 20 years, except for a break during the pandemic. Initially, we followed the curriculum set by Hi-Family, but we adapted the material to fit the immigrant situation as the years went by.
For example, we added an overnight weekend trip to the course, where we recreated the wedding vows and had all the couples read love letters to each other. Many had never written their spouse a letter or a card after marriage. We also shared the Five Love Languages book by Gary Chapman, which taught us how to love our spouse in their love language. The course continued to evolve. A few years ago, we split the course into two age groups: one for those in their 30s and 40s and the other for those in their 50s and 60s, the former for those rearing children now and the latter for the empty nesters.
The program has been top-rated, with several hundred couples completing it. Some couples returned to serve as group leaders over and over again. I attribute the longevity and success of the program to those who worked very hard behind the scenes. From recruiting participants to the dedicated preparation as small group leaders, from setting up and decorating the venue to providing childcare, all hands were on deck to make the program successful. In particular, the program coordinator’s role was critical.
The course ran for 12 weeks for the first several years, but gradually, we shortened it to 4 weeks. Those who formed trusting relationships in the small groups often chose to meet independently after the course; some ‘after’ groups have been meeting for many years.
Meja and I are grateful that the Lord has used this course to help strengthen many families in our church. I am thrilled that City on a Hill pastors and elders are considering it for EM. Four COAH couples are taking the course with us (this is our last time offering it).
On a side note, Meja and I have one month before we retire from Young Nak. On the last Sunday of December (29th) at 5:00 p.m., we would like to have a retirement Thanksgiving service with you all (EM and KM members) in the main sanctuary. We hope it will be a time of thanksgiving to our God for leading us and Young Nak to this point. I hope to see you there. Thank you!
Blessings,
Pastor Minho Song