I am the pastor on staff who has the responsibility for marriage
and family. Through a link with another marriage ministry about
2 years ago, I heard of the formation and first annual conference
of the AMFM. My wife and I went alone the first year and invited
one couple to come over to the open session on Thursday night.
This past summer they came for the whole conference and the pre-session
along with two other couples. I am happy to report that as a result
of going to the conference, we are developing a full range of
ministries addressing marriages and families at the different
stages. For example we have started a marriage mentoring program
based on the Lowe’s work which they presented in the conference.
We now have about 10 mentoring couples. Thank you for the vision
to partner with churches in this strategic work of strengthening
marriages and families. Pastor Paul Forsythe - Mesa, AZ
This was my first year at the conference. I wanted to take the
time to tell you that I really enjoyed it. I attend several conferences
a year, yours was very organized. It was easy to find the break
out sessions and I felt there was just the right balance in what
kind of topics and how long the sessions were. When you attend
a conference and the break out sessions are too short you feel
rushed and that you didn't hear enough form the individual speaker.
My husband and I over see all married life issues and this year
were only able to bring one other couple with us, after we look
at the budget for next year we will hopefully get to bring more.
The whole experience was great and I look forward to coming again.
Virginia
Anne and I have attended the last two conferences in Scottsdale
and this year will be going to Charlotte which is closer to home.
We have greatly enjoyed the AMFM conferences. They have helped
us with both our church Marriage & Family ministry as well
as the Community Marriage Savers program which we are co-directors.
The sessions provided us with a wealth of materials, new ideas,
and great contacts. Plus the setting at the Scottsdale Princess
was awesome. We also appreciate the leadership of Eric & Jennifer
and their team. May God's abundant blessings be with AMFM in the
New Year. Bill & Anne McKenna
As a single parent ministry leader, I believe it is vital for
the church to promote, strengthen, and heal marriages and families.
I love the fact that AMFM says that we can still love the every-growing
kinds of families, like single parents, while upholding the traditional
two-parent family. This focus will cause this organization to
be the leader in family ministry. The experts that are part of
this team bring all the wisdom, experience, and love this is needed
to help you effectively minister to families today. Brenda
Armstrong - Buford, GA
We met some of the most wonderful, healthy people in ministry
who have a heart to change the way families look in our society.
The American Family has taken a hit on the chin and many of the
people we met have now become our fellow soldiers in ministry
to those hurting families. What a blessing and breath of fresh
air for all of us!
We also made life long friends with people who are committed
to each other 'till death do us part.' None of us are in this
alone.
We feel connected to a heartbeat of people who have become more
than just acquaintances. It has made us stronger when we felt
our weakest, glad when we felt sad, and humbled by their sincerity
in Christ.
Thank you for continuing the journey another year. We look forward
to seeing you in the summer. Be blessed-Happy New Year- Moe
and Paige Becnel
I heard about your conference from Ron Deal's Smart Stepfamilies
website.
It sounded like something that would be helpful to me. I am the
Family Life Minister for a church in Louisville Kentucky. I am
a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Kentucky.
I decided to bring my wife along. The Fairmont Princess Resort
is by far the nicest accommodations we have experienced. We usually
stay in moderate priced places. For what we received, the FPR
was not that costly. My wife felt a bit like royalty, I think.
The general sessions were spiritually invigorating and a highlight
of each day. I attended a full slate of selected class sessions
and picked up numerous ministry ideas. Presenters were competent
and challenging. The display booths offered a plethora of available
resources.
Being with so many men and women dedicated to Family Ministry
was in itself a blessing. We chatted over our refreshing breakfast
offerings with different people each day and met many others at
our table during the general sessions.
I have eschewed joining organizations that offer a certificate
and yearly membership fees (therapists get many offers of these).
But I am so impressed with what I received for my conference fees
and the goals of this organization, that I have become a member
of AMFM.
My only question at this point is whether to attend a closer
conference in North Carolina or again return to Scottsdale in
July. Gratefully, Dale E. Phillips - Louisville, KY
God is definitely moving in bringing his leaders together. I
was amazed at how hungry God’s leaders were to be challenged
to go out there and tell people that “Your marriage can
be saved!” Several stated that they had not felt the empowerment
or permission to be as bold as God was leading them to be. It
seemed that many were simply needing affirmation of what to do.
Mitch Temple - Colorado Springs
The first thing that came through to me was your desire to be
“real” and not “flashy” as servant leadership
was certainly modeled and emphasized from the podium. Alan
Heller
The conference was a “10”! We were SO blessed and
learned a lot as well as met some great people. We look forward
to coming back next year! Ron McLain
What a genuine experience! God has His hand of blessing on you
and Jennifer. You have your finger on a felt need and it is shown
by the response you have elicited from so many bright—dedicated
minds and ministries. J. Otis Ledbetter - Clovis CA
Concerning the conference: We loved it. We have been married
43 years and have been very active in marriage ministry i.e. preaching,
conferences and retreats. We received your publicity last spring
and Golden said we need to be “updated”. She was right
and we were! The workshops were very informative and the general
sessions worshipful and inspiring. You and Eric and your team
did a great job. Blain and Golden Parsons
Eric, congratulations on a wonderful conference. I came back
to the office energized and encouraged. It was great to be around
people who have a love for the family and a love for the church
equipping families. Kirk Weaver
Thank you for a great conference. As last year, we were educated,
inspired, revitalized, and excited to continue and go on with
our ministry at East Bay Fellowship. Priscilla Wetmore
We are thrilled to be part of such a godly, warm group of people
such as yourselves and your team. This conference helped to solidify
our belief that is Christians don’t start coming together
as a united front for marriage and family issues, the message
we have for everyone will get lost because of division. Satan’s
strategy has always been “divide and conquer” and
we believe that what AMFM is doing is to finally give Christians
who care about marriage and family a united platform so that the
“world” and churches will hear our voices. Joe
and Michelle
We want to thank you and all the other leaders for your courage,
vision and response to God's leading in doing this Conference.
We thought it was a great success, and felt greatly blessed to
be there.
I personally attended and appreciated some classes, which helped me in areas
that I need to have strengthened as a pastor: remarriage counseling, single parenting
and stepfamily issues, and dealing with homosexuals. I have been to many church
leadership conferences that don't "touch" these issues. Lorraine attended
a couple of sessions dealing with sexual wholeness and found them to be very helpful
in strengthening our own marriage ministry.
We were thrilled to be present for this historic gathering and want to congratulate
you all for a conference that was among the best Christian conferences we have
attended. Thank you. Dennis and Lorraine -
Thank you to all who helped with the AMFM conference. I loved the classes and
information I received. We are already implementing things at our church.
I would like to get a copy of the skits used at the conference. Could you please
refer me to some resources where I could purchase them? I especially liked the
one about "Stare and Glare".
Thank you very much. Lynn - Danville, CA
Just wanted to let you know how blessed we were with the AMFM conference. Eunice
& me want to thank both of you for your kindness and warmth towards us, neither
of you will be forgotten.
This Sunday my wife and I will testify to the congregation about our trip and
what God is going to do this year with family ministry in our church and community.
Please remember us in your prayers, there is much to do!
May the Lord bless you and your family, Christopher & Eunice - Puerto Rico
Thanks for all the time, preparation, and prayer for the AMFM Conference. It
was absolutely WONDERFUL for Buck and me.......and the Lord continues
to show us Himself in new and exciting ways. We attended a marriage
event at a local church -- and sat at a table alone...........and
slowly but surely four others couples that we had never met began
to join us. When asked, we shared our heart to mentor married
couples in God's Word...........the gentlemen sitting next to
us offered us FREE office space in the evenings at his new "counseling"
office beginning in September. His practice will not "touch"
couples due to possible litigation........and he's been praying
about someone he can refer to help the couples in crisis. WAHOO!
What a praise! What a Mighty God we serve! Love to all...Buck
and Lin - Florida
We attended the conference in Scottsdale and want to thank you
so much for your faithful service and obedience to the Lord. We
were truly blessed beyond our expectations. We came home with
lots of resources and the networking was awesome! One of the highlights
was meeting with other couples in the remarriage and stepfamily
ministry area and talking about the possibility of coming together
as a part of the AMFM team. Don and Kathy - Riverbank, California
We came away from the conference with a new perception of what
the Lord is doing in families. Thank you for all the work you
did.
Blessings, Victor & Elaine - Miami, FL
What a great conference! We are amazed by all the wonderful couples we met
who have a love for Marriage and Family Ministry, and processing the wealth of
information and resources we were exposed to.
We appreciate you! Thank you for all your help and encouragement. AMFM will
be a great support for the local church. We look forward to seeing you next year.
Dave and Carol - Greensboro, NC
We have heard nothing but glowing, wonderful reports from the
two individuals attending from our church. We are looking forward
to attending next year. John and Joyce - Des Moines, IA
The conference was great! We'll be back next year with "our marriage ministry
team."
Thanks, Michael & Deborah - Bakersfield, CA
We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the AMFM Conference. The
speakers were very informative and the fellowship was great. We
especially enjoyed H. Norman Wright, Jan & David Stoop, and
Neil Anderson. We are looking forward to returning next year.
Blessings, Ray and Diane
Our thanks to Eric for an amazing first year conference. Diane and I learned
a lot to apply in our lives and valuable to us for the mentoring ministry.
Brian and Diane - Phoenix, AZ
I just wanted to tell you that the AMFM conference was the best I have been
to in a long time. I received some very good information in the classes that has
helped us here!
God Bless and Thanks again, Mike - Sacramento, CA
Awesome job with the conference! Denise and I were so blessed to attend and
receive from the quality of people that attended the conference. The conference
supplied us with so many great resources and ideas of where we want to see our
ministry go.
The Fairmont Princess was the best place my wife and I have ever stayed and
I thank you for picking such an unbelievable location for the conference and for
the help making it affordable to people like us.
We will return next year and are hoping that our church will send us along
with one other couple. We are also telling other couples and churches about your
ministry and heart. I will do my part in helping to meet the goal of 10,000 churches
in ten years. I believe that the goal will be met in less than that.
Matt and Denise - Long Beach, CA
Eve and I thought that the whole conference was good - better than other conferences
we have attended. The general sessions were more about worship and ministry to
marriages & families than they were entertaining presentations. The conference
was focused on ministers more than on therapists, yet there was good input on
therapeutic skills, especially for marriage and family ministries.
Thanks for investing in marriages & families, and for inviting Eve &
me to participate. See ya soon, Rex and Eve - California
Thank you for all you and Jennifer and your team did to make
the first AMFM conference a huge success! We wore our AMFM shirts
last night at our HomeFront Marriage and Family Ministry meeting
and told them all about the conference and it's mission.
We look forward to working with you and may God continue to bless
this ministry.
- Bill and Anne
What a joy to be part of your event. You are good people. Warmth, care and
eagerness to grow filled every moment. Thank you for including me. It was an honor.
As I mentioned before, if I can be of further assistance to you - or just someone
to bounce ideas off, let me know.
Warmly, Sharon - California
Great job pulling all this together. I really believe God is
doing a work through you guys. As I think back to the time, I
am so grateful for the opportunity. The conference was a great
investment into the Kingdom. Thanks for all you do. Byron -
Waco, TX
It was an honor for us to be a part of your and God's team in making a difference
in marriages. We anticipate working with you and Jennifer in the future. God was
honored in the conference. We are honored to serve with you. David and Janet
- California
You have surrounded yourself with wonderful and strong leaders.
It is obvious that this is a "God Thing". Tens of thousands
of people will be impacted from the hundreds that attended this
year. Dave and Dawn - Vermont
Thanks for your leadership with this. It was an exciting time
and effective in reaching our goals of networking, encouragement
and instruction. I appreciate your vision and pioneering. Tim
- California
Debbie and I really enjoyed the superb conference in Scottsdale.
Your first was a huge success! PHX was fabulous (but HOT!) ...
the venue and program was great. Keep up the good work! Adrien
and Debbie - Atlanta, GA
Thank you for a wonderful conference! My husband and I were extremely blessed!
I thought the conference information was excellent. The site and
facilities were so beautiful.
I enjoyed every workshop immensely.
Blessings, Karen - Mesa, AZ
What a great conference. It was indeed a blessing and I really appreciate
the ministry you and Jennifer have. I've been involved in creating, conducting
and participating in conferences like this for over 25 years and this was indeed
a highlight. Your friend in Him, Norm - Bakersfield, CA
Just a short note to thank you both and your team for a wonderful
experience this past week. The conference was outstanding! Dick
and Pat - Tucson, AZ
No one I've ever known in 20 years in the speaking/training business
could have pulled off such a successful first Conference! While
I was talking to Dennis Lowe, one woman came up and said she couldn't
believe this was AMFM's first conference. I know others feel the
same. God gets the GLORY, but He used you and Jennifer, and other
obedient servants to assist you, and we are all blessed. Jim
- Glendale, AZ
Thank you! Thank you! The conference was wonderful...........I learned a lot
but especially was re-energized to care about marriages and to see the reality
of what is happening all around us regarding Biblical marriage.
I can be a positive voice here in Big Bear Lake and will pray that God will
use me in whatever ways He chooses to encourage biblical marriages and families
in this community and anywhere else that my influence may reach.
Many lives will be blessed because you followed God's call.
Blessings to you, Esther - Big Bear Lake, CA
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last week. It really was
a blessing and I perceive that it was to many others as well.
I'm so looking forward to the future. Ron - Arkansas
It was a great conference. Thanks SO much for allowing Pam and I to have a
part. We loved doing the workshops and were encouraged to know that the message
was well received by those who attended. We had LOTS of good feedback. We'll be
praying with you and standing with AMFM. It will be neat to see what God does
in the months to come.
In Him, Larry and Pam - Phoenix, AZ