Johnny and Dorothy Walker are the epitome of faithful servants of God.

Both are dedicated members of the Restoration Christian Community Church and serve in leadership roles at the church. But as it should be, their marriage is their first ministry.

According to Christian Marriage Today the key to building a Christ-centered marriage is making your spouse your primary ministry. Ministry starts at home! The word ministry when translated from the Greek word diakoneo means to “serve.” The best example of this is when Christ says that he came not into the world to be served, but to serve.

After 45 years of marriages the Walkers are still in love. They attribute the success of their marriage to their commitment to maintaining a give and take mentality. Mrs. Walker stated, “You must give to your partner what you want to receive in return. The more you give, the more you will receive. That sentiment sounds like Luke 6:38, Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

According to the Encyclopedia of Psychology, healthy marriages are good for couples’ mental and physical health. They are also good for children; growing up in a happy home protects children from mental, physical, educational, and social problems. Accordingly, the giving nature of the Walker’s overflowed into the rest of their family.

This give and take mentality is something the Walker’s believed important to pass on to their children. Their daughter Bernie has definitely taken the principles of love and giving, her parents imparted to her, and implemented them into her own marriage to Gerald Mckelvy. “Put God first,” Bernie emphatically stated, “and have fun and enjoy one another. Every relationships has ups and downs but always remember love never fells.”

After years of watching her parents work together she desires to pass the same principles on to her daughter Khloe; compromise, partnership, and most importantly teamwork. Gerald and Bernie have been forming their dream team since 2011 when they first met in downtown Detroit, Michigan. They decided to solidify their team by pledging their lives to one another in marriage in 2013. According to Gerald their marriage has been successful because they have built a foundation of honesty, trust, and communication.

The American Pyschology Association agrees with Gerald, truthful and honest communication is a key piece of healthy relationships. Healthy couples make time to check in with one another on a regular basis. Couples should spend a few minutes each day discussing deeper or more personal subjects (beyond parenting and maintaining the household) to stay connected to each other.

If you want your marriage to be strong put God first, make it your first ministry, and love unconditionally. Follow the Walkers’ example of Marriage as a Ministry of Service and you will grow together, flow together, and the light of your marriage will show forever.

RC3 New & Notes                                                                                                                                                                                                                        August 31, 2016