Light in the Garden Ministries Marriage Ministry
Our Facilitators:
Pastor James & First Lady Valerie Jackson, facilitators of the Couples Forum Ministry through Light in the Garden Ministries, have a heart for marriage and have devoted much of their time and energy to the developmental process of marital and pre-marital couples.
As God’s servants they have been marriage counselors since 2003 with
Resurrection Christian Fellowship. The two have facilitated many marriage retreats. They are also the planners and organizers of the Couples Forum Marriage Enrichment Retreat. This retreat has existed for 7 years and has served numerous married couples. They are currently planning the 2010 Couples Forum Marriage Enrichment Retreat which will take place in June & September, 2010. They are also the founders and facilitators of the “Couples Forum”, a monthly forum that celebrates marriage and gives enlightenment to people of all aspects of life, married and unmarried. First Lady Valerie Jackson received her ministerial training certificate in 2006 and has facilitated a quarterly Woman’s Ministry called “Ladies of Virtue and Excellence”. Pastor Jackson has been a counselor since 1993 with Abundant Life Church of God, ordained as a Pastor in 2003 through Resurrection Christian Fellowship in conjunction with the Palm Lake Baptist Association. In 2005, James was awarded from the nationally acclaimed Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show for being recognized and honored as a “Real Father, Real Man”. Pastor Jackson currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Light in the Garden Ministries.
Pastor and First Lady Jackson have been together and married for over
twelve years. They are the loving parents of 7 beautiful children. The Jackson’s
have an undying passion to help marriages reach their potential in spite of adversity. This is their genuine way of serving the community. They have also managed to become positive role models for the institute of marriage.
Their dedication and leadership has resulted in the expansion of the
Couples Forum Marriage Ministry from originating in West Palm Beach to now serving couples from Jacksonville to Miami, Florida. The marriage ministry has also been recognized throughout the country and in other parts of the world.
For more information on marriage conference and retreat facilitation,
contact Light In The Garden Ministries at (561) 792-2402.
TESTIMONIALS
The couples retreat made my wife and I learn more about each other. It taught us how to become a team and not act like we are two separate people. I would love to attend the next retreat and would refer this ministry to anyone in order to help and strengthen their marriage, as well as to refresh their marriage.
Mr. & Mrs. Theo Jackson, Married 14 years The marriage retreat in Orlando was enjoyable because (a) you got the
chance to relax, (b) to fellowship with other married couples in a friendly, peaceful atmosphere, and (c) to discuss and discover God's word together in a friendly, noncombatant, nonjudgmental atmosphere. It was great!
Mr. & Mrs. Rhymes, Married 9 years My husband and I have always wanted to attend a marriage retreat but
never had the time until we made the sacrifice to attend the Couples Forum Marriage Enrichment Retreat with Light In The Garden Ministries. It was the most exciting as well as intriguing experience about marriage to date. My husband and I have been married for 13 years and had never been away from our children prior to the retreat, but this gave us a wonderful opportunity to bond together as a couple, bond with other married couples and also to attend sessions filled with revelation of God’s word given by Pastor & First Lady Jackson. We felt that this experience has not only helped us in our marriage, but helped us as individuals to understand the meaning of love. I would recommend the marriage retreat to every married couple. It will be a life altering experience.
Mr. & Mrs. Sheppard, Married 13 years
The marriage retreat that my wife and I attended was a wonderful experience. It was like a Love Revival. We reconnected in a lot of ways that we had seemed to have lost focus on. We also attend the monthly couple’s forum which has also opened our eyes to better ways to view our marriage from Gods point of view. I believe that everyone that is married or wants to one day be married should attend the couple’s forum in order to be around other couples that encourage one another and to embrace marriage positively no matter what obstacles it may bring. Mr. & Mrs. Talton, Married 2 years
I love Couples Forum because it keeps me focused on doing marriage "God's way." Whenever I get off focused on God's will for my life and my marriage, Pastor Jackson always brings me back to the "sweet" will of the Lord. It has helped me better understand my husband and our struggles. My husband particularly looks forward to the retreats. It's the only time it seems he really looks forward to getting away. Every retreat is a time of refreshing and renewal. What makes it even better is sharing it with other like-minded couples seeking God's will for and in their marriages. Keep up the good work Pastor Jackson and First Lady Valerie. You are enriching the lives of many through your sacrifice and loving example.
Mr. & Mrs. Bowers, Married 25 years
Light In The Garden Ministries
Marriage Seminar & Retreat Topics/Themes
Light in the Garden Marriage Enrichment Seminars & Retreats are designed to
help marriages fulfill their potential. While attending, couples have the opportunity
to focus on their relationship – where it is …where it has come from …and where it
is heading. Couples can develop deeper intimacy, learn more about their mate’s
emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and practice new communication
techniques. Light in the Garden Marriage Enrichment Seminars & Retreats are
great investments in marital relationships!
In The Garden
So often marriages become strained or fail when they are not aligned to the
spiritual order of the universe. God began marriage with Adam and Eve in
the Garden of Eden. This seminar encourages couples to master the art of
aligning themselves to the laws of God's Garden-- to create their own
personal Garden of Eden in their marriage. “In The Garden” offers biblical
truths in fresh, insightful ways to help couples solve problems and strive to
stay joyfully married.
Treasure Hunt
Searching for gold requires a map. The map for marriage is Scripture. God
created man and woman for oneness, "and the two shall become one"
(Gen. 2:24). This marriage seminar shows couples how to uncover the hidden
treasure in their spouse and develop a marriage based on basic biblical
principals. By applying these simple and practical principles, couples
will discover what an incredible gift God has given them in each other
and will learn the treasure of their marriage.
Help Wanted
“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make
him an help meet for him." -Genesis 2:18 A help meet is one who is to give
assistance or support and is precisely adapted (made to fit) to a particular
situation, need or circumstance to the man God has made her for. She is an
advocate and a champion of her husband. However the husband must want and
accept the help that God has given him. This marriage seminar gives wives the tools needed to
flourish as a “suitable” help meet and helps husbands understand their wives role in the marriage
and family; how to support her in it and help her to accomplish her God given role. Couples
should be prepared to ask themselves the tough questions about their roles, and be inspired to
know that God has an awesome plan for their life through your marriage.
It Takes Two To Tango
Marriage is like a dance. It is a unity that moves along in time with beautiful harmony and
rhythm. As in dance, the man must lead and the woman must follow if the dance is to be a
delight to both. In marriage, it takes time to learn what it means to lead, what it means to
follow and how to do it. During this seminar couples learn the steps God has designed for
marriage. Couples learn the art of dance. It requires hard work and practice to learn good
leading and good following. Applying these steps will ultimately bring healthy patterns to
their marriage and family life, leaving unhealthy patterns behind. Through workshops and
exercises couples practice the steps they must take in order to engage their spouses in a dance
of joy.
The Family Business
Marriage is like a business. In business, if there is no cooperation or willingness
to make it operate better, the company is going to go out of business! A marriage
that has no plan is a marriage adrift. It merely floats. It may survive, but it just
simply exists. The danger of a marriage in that shape is that the couple is at the mercy
of the winds and waves of our society. When a marriage is controlled by the political
correctness of the world, that’s a dangerous place to be! So how does a couple develop
this marriage plan? This seminar teaches couples that both marriage and business take
team players to make them successful. Couples attending this seminar discover the
skills that God has equipped each spouse with to make their Family Business a success.
Escape To Paradise
There was, at one time, a marriage that was made in paradise. In this century,
wedded bliss can quickly turn to disappointment and bitterness. What happened?
God desires the very best for every marriage: a marriage that truly reflects the
relationship spoken of in His Book. In this seminar, God’s word reveals His
intentions concerning marriage and His goals for the married couple which will help
them “Escape to Paradise”. The principles taught will go a long way in helping to
divorce proof our marriages. Couples learn how to be free from the bondage of
worldly expectation and what makes a marriage made in paradise.
Unsolved Mynisteries
“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh”. This is a great mystery, but I speak
concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25 -32.
Mystery? What could be so mysterious about something that is as universal as marriage? In this seminar
couples will see that there is much to learn about the biblical notion of marriage. Unsolved Mynisteries
will expound upon the mystery of marriage, knowledge of which will be an enormous source of
encouragement for all couples who are married in the Lord. Discover the mystery behind your first
ministry…..Marriage!
Fireproof Your Marriage Financial pressures, the stress of parenting, differences between men and women,
boredom, temptations—they can all scorch a relationship. The fires will come—your
marriage can last! The God who designed marriage intended for it to be a loving, lifelong
partnership. This seminar includes a special movie night were the couples watch this
amazing movie and discuss God’s plan for indestructible relationships. Couples will find
practical insights for building an enduring, red-hot marriage! "Fireproof doesn't mean the
fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it."
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FACILITATOR REQUEST FORM Speaker must receive this completed form before engagement can be confirmed
Organization Name: _________________________ Date(s) of event: _________________
TRAVEL EXPENSES
Organizations are responsible for the speaker’s expenses. Travel expenses are 55 cents per mile or the cost of an airline ticket, plus hotel, airport parking, meals and incidentals. Organizations will make and pre-pay all travel and lodging expenses.
HONORARIUMS
� Pre-determined Amount of: ________________ � Love Offering � Budgeted Honorarium:
$ What is the Honorarium budget for your event?
PERSON RECEIPT/INVOICE(S) ARE TO BE SENT TO
Name: _______________________________
Address: _____________________________
_____________________________________
Day phone: ___________________________
Eve. phone: __________________________
Cell phone: ___________________________
Fax: ________________________________
Email: _______________________________
Organization website:
TRANSPORTATION
If speaker is flying to your event: � Rental car � Loaner car � Someone to personally pick him/her up and will provide transportation to his/her accommodations and the event
Upon arrival at airport, the contact person will:
� Meet speaker at baggage claim � Meet speaker at the gate
Specify contact name and phone number:
Name: _______________________________
Day phone: ___________________________
Eve. phone: __________________________
Cell phone: ___________________________
Name of closest airport:
_____________________________________
EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY (Please check the equipment below that is
available for use)
□ Podium
□ Microphone
□ Overhead Screen & Projector
□ TV/VCR
□ Flipchart / Easel / Markers
□ Presenter’s work table
□ Table for handouts/materials
□ Laptop
□ Audio (CD Player, Speakers, etc)
□ Presenters chair/stool
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MEETING PLACE AND DIRECTIONS
Name of meeting place: _________________
_____________________________________
Address: _____________________________
_____________________________________
Phone: ______________________________
Directions if speaker is driving to your event:
(Please attach)
NAME OF EVENT AND/OR MEETING THEME
Name/Theme: _________________________
_____________________________________
Networking time: __________ a.m. / p.m.
Engagement starts: __________ a.m. / p.m. (If requesting multiple sessions please provide a copy of the program/agenda)
EVENT ORGANIZER
Name: _______________________________
Address: _____________________________
Day phone: ___________________________
Eve. phone: __________________________
Cell phone: ___________________________
Email: _______________________________
SPEAKER’S ROLE
□ Primary speaker Time allotted: ____________________
□ Facilitator
□ Panel member
□ Invited guest with no presentation
□ Other (please specify): _____________
_____________________________________
Will there be a Questions & Answers period?
� YES � NO
If yes, How long? _________________
If an informational flier will be sent to attendees, please send a copy prior to the event.
Will other speakers or dignitaries be attending? � YES � NO
(If yes, please send the names and profiles of each)
DESIRED TOPIC/SUBJECT OF PRESENTATION
SERMON THEME:
□ Please specify:
_____________________________________
MARRIAGE SEMINARS/RETREATS:
□ In The Garden
□ Treasure Hunt
□ Help Wanted
□ It Takes Two To Tango
□ The Family Plan
□ Escape To Paradise
□ Unsolved Mynisteries
□ Fireproof Your Marriage
□ Other (please specify): _____________
_____________________________________
TYPE OF EVENT
□ Marriage Seminar
□ Marriage Retreat
□ Special event:
o Church Service
o Anniversary Event � Pastor � Church
What year are you celebrating? _____________
□ Other (please specify): ____________
_____________________________________
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ATTIRE
What is the appropriate dress? □ Business attire □ Casual □ Formal
AUDIENCE COMPOSITION
Anticipated # of attendees: _____________
� Couples
� Individuals
ADDITIONAL REQUESTS
� Photo of speaker
� Biography of speaker
� Other: _______________________
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*Note* Please complete and sign this form and fax back to (561) 354-5971. You will receive a response within 10 days of the receipt of your request. All requests are subject to the approval of Pastor James S. Jackson. For Office use only: Calendar dates available: � YES � NO _____________________________________L.I.T.G Leader Date Event Approved: � YES � NO _____________________________________Pastor James S. Jackson Date Any conditions of approval:
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