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: _____________________________

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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: _________________

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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): _____________

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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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