What is the background of Marriage Plus?

Marriage Plus began in 1992 as Gary & Ann Wooley considered the question "How has God helped us in the past 25 years to serve Him and make our marriage a priority?" The answer to the question became a 12- to 15-month values and skills course taught to young Christian couples using a small group format. The goal is to disciple couples so that they have an approach to marriage and ministry that will serve them well throughout their lives.

As of 2003, those who have completed the course include 23 pastoral couples, 2 elders, 41 couples who serve full-time on staff or parachurch ministries, 1 missionary couple, 22 couples who serve as adult education teachers or leaders, 52 couples who are active in ministries in their churches (youth, missions, education, etc.).

About 30 couples will complete the course in 2004, ready to pursue the ministry that God assigns them. At our home church, Grace Chapel in Englewood, Colorado, Marriage Plus graduates are actively involved in many ministries and leadership roles, enfolding, teaching, and discipling.

With the help of the Holy Spirit,
those who have completed Marriage Plus are...

1. Meeting as a couple weekly for planning
2. Bearing one another’s burdens in quality communication
3. Structuring family life around the goal of spiritual fruitfulness
4. Working toward greater emotional and physical intimacy
5. Practicing micro-ministry when the church is gathered
6. Using their home as a base of ministry
7. Serving in a leadership position in a community/ministry within their local church
8. Developing biblical convictions relating to the Kingdom of God
9. Skilled in evangelism and basic follow-up of new believers
10. Aware of their unique spiritual history and giftedness
11. Skilled in small group leadership
12. Developing a plan to implement their personal vision for team ministry

	Their biblical commitment, their spiritual and psychological insights, their ministry at home and overseas, their academic background, their own experiences as effective parents and their life together as a Christian couple who model what they teach - all this qualifies Gary & Ann Wooley to be of transforming help to other couples.
	Dr. Vernon Grounds President Emeritus of Denver Seminary (Mentor)