What We Believe
Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose form the grave, ascended into heaven, and will literally return to Earth.
The Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life.
Our Belief About Marriage
We believe that Christ should be the center of every marriage and that marriage is between one man and one woman as described in God’s word.
Genesis 2:22-24
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh.
Our story
We were young and wildly in love when we married in the fall of 1982. Both of us had grown up in divorced homes and blended families, and we carried the weight of those experiences into our relationship. We saw firsthand the hurt, the confusion, and the deep wounds left behind when marriages fall apart. Because of that, our vow—to God and to each other—was clear and non-negotiable: divorce would never be an option for us.
We promised to face challenges head-on, to work through the small issues before they had a chance to grow into the kinds of mountains that destroy marriages.
Several years into our marriage, we purchased a piece of land in Jack County that had belonged to Russell’s mother’s family since the 1800s. It was his great-grandparents’ homestead, and our dream was simple: someday we would build our forever home there and eventually buy an RV to travel the country together. But as we enjoyed the peaceful beauty of that place, God began planting something different—something bigger—in our hearts.
During one visit, while walking the land, God spoke to Russell and gave him a vision: a marriage ministry to help couples who were struggling, just as we had seen so many struggle around us. Though the dream took root that day, we had no idea how God planned to bring it to life.
Years later, as we pursued that calling, we ran into obstacle after obstacle on the Jack County property. We couldn’t access clean or sufficient water to sustain living there, and the taxes alone were far beyond what we could manage if we chose to build. Everything that once seemed promising now felt impossible. Piece by piece, we sensed that God was gently closing the door we thought we were meant to walk through.
Still, we continued to pray and seek His direction for a marriage retreat. Trusting that God’s plan was still unfolding, we began searching for a new piece of land. But the market was red-hot—properties were snatched up the very day they were listed. After months of searching with no success, we finally found a beautiful piece of property in Wise County. Miraculously, it had once been part of Russell’s father’s family dairy farm before the land was divided and sold. It felt like God was weaving the story back together in ways only He could.
Our realtor immediately placed a bid. What followed was a whirlwind of prayer, a bidding war, and a lot of faith. Through God’s clear favor and the wisdom of our realtor, we won the property. Looking back, it’s undeniable: God didn’t just give us land—He led us to the exact place He had prepared for this ministry.
A Place for Restoration
Today, the property is a peaceful haven shaded by oak trees, wrapped around a serene pond, and filled with quiet reminders of God’s presence. We have three cozy cabins positioned near the water, each one built with prayer, scripture, and love.
As the cabins were constructed, our family, friends, and church families wrote scriptures on the studs and prayed over every room. They prayed for the couples who would visit, for the conversations that would take place, and for God’s healing work to be done here. These cabins aren’t just buildings—they are sacred spaces designed for transformation.
Our Heart for Marriage
Our desire is simple: to help couples strengthen their commitment, rediscover their connection, and experience the healing that only God can bring.
This is the ministry God called us to, and we are humbled to steward it. Our prayer is that every couple who visit will find hope, healing, and a renewed commitment to the covenant they made—just as we did all those years ago.
Welcome to Our Ministry
If you are looking for a quiet place to reconnect, to seek God’s guidance, or to rediscover the strength of your marriage—we welcome you. This retreat was built with you in mind, and we are honored to share this journey with you.
