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Journey Toward Intimacy Enriches Capacity Crowd
By Raewyn Hankins
“No one gets married in order to fight. We get married because we long for intimacy,” shared Willie and Elaine Oliver at the Journey Toward Intimacy (JTI) retreat, sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. “We desire to have a friend, lover, and ally who will be there for a lifetime.”
The Olivers, who lead Family Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, presented JTI, January 25 and 26, to a capacity crowd of over 200 participants at the Michiana Fil-Am Seventh-day Adventist church. Willie and Elaine skillfully presented how to experience “God’s plan for oneness in marriage.”
Sponsored by the seminary’s Family Life Education program and spousal support organization, Seminary Support in Ministry (SSM), Journey Toward Intimacy was opened up to the greater community creating a rich blend of seminary students and couples from the surrounding area.
The vibrant mix of inspiring presentations and interactive exercises was appreciated by all. “The exercises allowed us to be responsible for the situations going on in our marriage,” noted seminarian Laurry Manuel. “The one on forgiveness was particularly beneficial.”
Newlyweds Tim & Megan Williams offered, “It was an educational experience for what’s ahead, giving us awareness of potential things that could happen and how to avert possible issues.”
“[Journey Toward Intimacy] enriched my wife and I, helping us rekindle thoughts and refocus on familiar concepts we had forgotten, especially with communication,” lauded John Strehle. “You get caught up in everyday life and sometimes the important things go to the wayside.”
Many of the attendees, both singles and couples, were especially impressed with the authenticity and expertise of Willie and Elaine Oliver.
Omolara Oluwagbuyi, a community and international development student from Nigeria, said, “The most important thing to me was the reality of the speakers. They were not faking.”
“[The Olivers] not only told the truth but told you the truth in a lovely way so you could accept it,” further endorsed Laurry Manuel. “They shared about what was happening in our homes, so we didn’t feel like we were the only ones.”
“Their willingness to share about their own marriage really created an atmosphere of trust and vulnerability,” added Tim and Megan Williams. “[The Olivers] took potentially heavy topics and - because of their personalities, humor, and stories - were able to handle it in a way that wasn’t offensive. They made it light and easy for people to relate to and discuss together.”
Journey Toward Intimacy is one of several community-wide events hosted by Family Life Education at the seminary. Coming this summer is Family Celebration Sabbath, July 18-19, 2008, a festive affirmation of family life and values, to feature Elder Tony Anobile and family.
The Family Life Education offerings of the seminary come as part of their Religious Education Program, committed to the teaching and discipling mandates of the gospel commission. For more information on Journey Toward Intimacy, Family Celebration Sabbath, and/or the variety of academic offerings through Family Life Education, call 269-471-6186 or visit www.andrews.edu/SEM/reled
Raewyn Hankins is a Masters of Divinity seminarian graduating in May, 2008. Following her graduation, she will be serving as the associate pastor for children and family ministries at the Yucaipa Seventh-day Adventist Church, CA.
