The Virginia Marriage Initiative - June 19th Gathering
Rebecca Blackwell - Programs Director and Community Relationship Liaison
Mark and Rebecca have been married for over 28 years and have three children - MacLean 27, Morgan 25, and Sydney 22. They started in marriage ministry together as their family was growing and they felt a need to invest in their own marriage while also walking alongside other couples. That was about 20 years ago!
Rebecca has been working in the nonprofit world for the past 10 years after being in corporate work prior to a stay at home mom career. She also started a Marriage Coaching business in 2019. Mark retired in 2024 after 30 years at Capital One and now works part time as a contractor and the grant writer and strategic planner for TVMI.
Rebecca’s father told her when their first child was born that “it was the two of you before it was the three of you” and that philosophy has been a reminder of the legacy her parents lived for her and her brother, as well as how Mark’s parents have lived their marriage out for him and his brother too.
Keith & Trish Tully, FamilyLife / The Virginia Marriage Initiative
Keith served on the Executive Leadership team of FamilyLife as the National Director of Field Ministry.
For the last 18 years, Keith and Trish have served Virginia helping churches build proactive and sustainable marriage discipleship. They met at William and Mary. They have been married for 37 years and have four children: Perry 29, Merritt 27, Jacob 25, and Joseph 24 – and five grandchildren.
Their personal story of brokenness and redemption has been used by God to encourage thousands of marriages toward hope and the good news of Jesus.
TVMI’s Desired Outcomes!
“It’s not just marriage, it’s mission!”
The Dream
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem”…And they said, “Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work”. ” Neh 2:17-18
“May marriage be honored among all….” Heb 13:4
VA State of Marriage and Relationships
Mental health is the defining public health crisis of our time, and for many Americans, loneliness is at the heart of that crisis. At any given moment, about one out of every two of our fellow citizens is experiencing measurable levels of loneliness..….Social disconnection puts us at increased risk for depression, anxiety and suicide, as well as heightening our risk for stress-related physical ailments like heart disease, stroke and dementia. Its impact on our risk of premature death is on par with smoking 15 cigarettes daily.”
Vivek H Murthy Surgeon General
RVA Needs the Church!!
“We believe the church is the only institution that holds the potential to save the future of marriage and family in Greater Richmond.” TVMI
“Marriage and family is the greatest untapped resource for good and fulfilling the Great Commission. ” FamilyLife
Strong marriages make a strong church and are the key to passing the faith to the next generations!
In the Church - Why Marriage Discipleship?
“Marriage is a GOOD of creation.”
What we heard at the April Roundtable gatherings:
TVMI’s Role
“More marriage, less divorce!”
TVMI Rhythms - What You Can Expect
“More marriage, less divorce!”
TVMI’s Roundtable Discussion Questions
How can we help happen what wants to happen?
What is your biggest roadblock or challenge in that opportunity?
TVMI’s Roundtable Discussion Questions
As you disciple marriages, what can TVMI provide that would be most helpful for you?
Which of the opportunities Carl mentioned could you see yourself adding to your ministry?
The Invitation
“So let’s not get tired of doing good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10
TVMI Next Steps