It’s November 2015. In 2016, Michigan’s largest congregation, nearly two million, gathers in Detroit for its 11th General Synod, the first such meeting since 1969―almost half a century ago. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, the Catholic Church in Michigan declared 2015 The Year of Marriage. That’s a commitment to honor the “I do” of God’s first institution, a gift to man and woman for all humanity.
Marriage and family life is what children need most in every faith tradition, especially in Metro Detroit. America slowly awakens to the majesty of God’s love and how that “I do” of marriage leads His little ones through the narrow gate to the land of milk and honey―home for all God’s children young and old alike.
Over the Detroit River, the Gales of November gather like the winds of the Holy Spirit. Metro Detroit shepherds, bring your heart, soul, and mind to Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. Step into the palm of our Lord’s hand and rise up o’er Michigan to summon His shepherds and anointed leaders to command this Exodus from darkness to new life. Come clergy and chosen leaders. Hear the cries of the children. Make straight the path. As our beloved Detroit nears her 315th year, the heartbeat of mercy unites us, couple by couple, household by household, person-to-person. The Gales of God’s spirit sweep o’er our Great Lakes convening hearts and minds from sea to shining sea.
Marriage Motown 2020 has begun.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
The Steering Committee for “MARRIAGE MOTOWN 20/20″ Presents
Restoring Marriage and Family Life 2015-2016
Pastoral Care for Faith Communities
Monday, November 16, 2015
9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Fellowship
10:00 a.m. Prayer/Scripture – Hebrews 13:4 – Rev. Nathan Proche
10:05 a.m. MARRIAGE, MOTOWN, & MICHIGAN: An Overview
10:15 a.m. “The Power of Love” – DVD
10:30 a.m. Prepare-Enrich, Marriage, Family, & Mentor Ministry – Rev. Dr. Nick Phillips
12:00 p.m. LUNCH
12:30 p.m. “Restoring Marriage & Family Life in Metro Detroit” – DVD
12:40 p.m. Q & A – Rev. Dr. Nick Phillips
1:30 p.m. MARRIAGE MOTOWN 20/20 – CLERGY ROUNDTABLE
2:00 p.m. Closing Prayer
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Phillips
Marriage Care Pastor
Northridge Church
Plymouth, MI
Rev. Dr. Nick Phillips began adult life in corporate business for 9 years before entering the seminary. He has 23 years of experience pastoring couples in marriage including experience as a Navy Chaplain. In addition to his academic theology education, Rev. Dr. Nick holds a doctoral degree in marriage and family ministry and serves as Adjunct Professor at Eastern Seminary in doctoral studies of marriage and family life ministry. He has been a guest professor at Concordia University in organizational/leadership systems for MBA students.
Rev. Dr. Nick has travelled internationally and served in ministry overseas including Europe and Africa. He has been a pastor in three congregations, first in his native Iowa farm community, then in Austin, Texas, and for the past 12 years at Northridge Church in Plymouth, Michigan’s largest single congregation with over 22,000 members attending services at one location.
Rev. Dr. Nick has presented on marriage care across the United States and overseas. He is a National Prepare-Enrich trainer and supervisor. With his wife of 32 years, Rev. Dr. Nick has raised four children to adulthood, two of whom are married. He officiated at his own son’s marriage in the spring of 2014. At Northridge, approximately 50 volunteer marriage mentor couples serve amongst the many relationship building, marriage education, and marriage mentor ministry and care programs that provide pastoral marriage and family care to the Northridge congregation.
Northridge Church has a divorce rate under seven percent for the past twelve years. This compares to the U.S. 5-yr divorce rate of 24%, which is three-fold greater than the highest divorce rates globally, which are European.
