Assemblies of God-Michigan District

Greetings! We want to tell you about a truly life-changing marriage ministry. You may have heard of Marriage Encounter and wonder what it is. Is it a seminar? Is it marriage counseling or group therapy? Is it for those with problem marriages? Is it for couples just beginning their married life to get them off to a good start?

Marriage Encounter is NOT these things. It is a weekend program focused on helping couples have better marriages through effective communication techniques they grasp during a weekend in a hotel setting. It is an opportunity for you to spend a weekend away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life to grow together.

Couples will not disclose their problems, if any, to anyone during the weekend. The most you have to say is to introduce yourself. It is also not considered a retreat. You can benefit from a Marriage Encounter weekend no matter how long you have been married or how good your marriage is.

In 1981 a group of Assemblies of God people felt the burden to develop an expression of the Marriage Encounter Ministry. Under the leadership of Mark and Becky Rhoades they worked diligently to craft a vision and implement a format that would complement the spiritual values and practices of Assemblies’ folks. Now close to 37,000 couples have experience an encounter weekend through Assemblies of God Marriage Encounter (AGME). By the grace of God it has become a force that has put couples closer to each other, and households closer to God.

The Michigan District has been blessed in the past with people who believed in the ministry and offered their time and service to plan and implement Assemblies of God Marriage Encounters here in Michigan. We are a volunteer driven ministry with a passion to uphold God’s design for marriage. We would be happy to help any ‘encountered’ couples find a place of volunteer service in our Michigan ME Community. Currently there are two regularly scheduled Marriage Encounter weekends per year---the second weekend in March and the second weekend in November. Registrations are taken on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. When the allotted hotel rooms are filled under our contract, names will be held on a waiting list should any couples cancel. A schedule of other AGME weekends in the U.S. can be accessed at the National Web Site.

Ron & Cheri Cook

Marriage Encounter Committee Members

Ron and Cheri Cook—area coordinators

Darryl and Elaine Harless—clergy presenting couple

Tom and Jan Hibbard—registration couple

Registration Information

To register for a Michigan District Marriage Encounter go to the National Marriage Encounter site (see above) and choose Michigan as your state.  Follow the on-line directions and prompts to complete your registration.  You may use a credit card when registering on line.  Your registration will be automatically forwarded to the Area Coordinators, Charles and Karen Sanders via email.  You will also receive verification from the registration couple, Tom and Jan Hibbard.  

Coming Events