In a time when The Bahamas is embattled with many social ills, the membership at Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries International believes the only saving grace for country must come from the encouragement of successful families.

They believe in the saying "so goes the family, so goes the community".  And that at the foundation of a successful family, is a couple in love, and that like everything else, staying in love is a lifetime commitment.

To foster that commitment, the church's marriage ministry, led by Pastor Alan Strachan will host a weekend retreat for newlyweds and veteran couples, which will allow them to escape the daily routine of life, and enjoy each other.

Under the theme "Celebrating our Marriages: Passion, Affection and Fulfillment", the retreat experience will be held November 4-6 at the Paradise Island Harbour Resort. Pastor Rex Major who has been married to his wife Doreen for 53 years will speak at the retreat.

In preparation for what's expected to be a fun-filled weekend, couples attending the retreat are being encouraged to find time to just sit in a quiet location prior to attending and read together the entire Old Testament book of the Songs of Solomon.  And to take note of the difference in the interest of the male and female lover as revealed in their words.  

Couples are encouraged to take note of the various parts of the human body -- who gets the most attention and who is more expressive and pick out precise trigger words which express key essentials in arousal and attraction for intimacy.  It's a retreat organizers say married couples do not want to miss.

Ashley Taylor and his wife Maureen who have been married for 24 years have participated in the retreat in previous years and will do so again.  They think it's worth attending.

"As a husband of 24 years with two children and a small business entrepreneur, I do know that the trials of life can encourage situations and habits that can create holes in a relationship that if left unplugged can create division," says the husband.

  "As a member of the marriage team at Golden Gates Church along with my wife and a participant of the two prior retreats I've come to understand that as much as most men have strong appetites for sex, you can't build your marriage on sex alone and that you have to prepare for intimacy long before the experience.  I've come to understand that spouses change and adjusting to these changes are critical to the survival of your relationship and that it's important to know the love language that ignites your spouse or you could spend many frustrating days wondering why you're having a hard time getting through to her."

Taylor encourages husbands to take time out to learn their spouse, invest in their marriage and celebrate it as the Golden Gates Assembly World Outreach Ministries International does its part in saving the country by improving the foundation of a family through the husband and wife.

Couples can opt to for a one or two-night stay.  If bound by budgetary restraints, they can opt to attend the one day, all-day seminar on Saturday November 5 at a cost of $150 per couple.  One night's stay including the seminar is $250 per couple.  Two nights' stay including the seminar is $500 per couple.  As the resort is all inclusive, all meals are included in the cost.
 
Retreat itinerary
Friday, November 4
4 p.m. -- Check in time
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. -- Welcome reception dinner
8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. -- Seminar session
Saturday, November 5
7 a.m. - 9 a.m. -- Breakfast
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- Seminar session
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. -- Lunch
2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Seminar session
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. -- Couples private time
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. -- Dinner and evening of nostalgia
9 p.m. - 11 p.m. -- Rekindling the fire
Sunday, November 6
7 a.m. - 10 a.m. -- Breakfast
10 a.m. -- Devotion
11 a.m. - 12 noon -- Lunchh

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