Marriage Ministry Is Good For Your Marriage
Join our well-loved Pre-Cana presenters for a candid conversation about how marriage ministry has changed their lives. Andrew and Terri Lyke have been serving other couples in the Catholic Church for over 40 years. It hasn’t always been easy, but they’ve experienced some wonderful benefits from walking alongside other couples.
In This Episode…
Fun & Interesting Quotes on Marriage Ministry:
“Marriage is a lot of work. And then you agree that you’re gonna put in that work. And then as you do it, you start seeing God work in your life and you start experiencing a lot more joy and you have a lot more hope for the future.”
“God is so much better at convicting of sin than we are. God is so much better at helping people understand where they’re at and be honest with themselves.”
“Mainly we make sure it’s fun. And that’s the key to longevity in marriage ministry, is having fun.”
“Because one of the biggest distinctions between Catholicism and other forms of Christianity is that we view marriage as a sacrament.”
Key Takeaways on Marriage Ministry:
Couples Need to Understand Marriage Is a Sacrament:
The Catholic Church views marriage as a covenant, vocation, and a sacrament. These three things make a difference in how couples experience their marriages, relate to one another, and access the grace of God in their shared life.
Marriage Ministry Has Changed A Lot Over the Years:
One of the main challenges in marriages is the lack of open communication about finances. Jerry advocates for creating a safe space Couples today are getting married later in life so their needs are different. More couples are living together than in the past, and they can be mindfully included in marriage ministries. This could encourage marriage among cohabitating couples who didn’t realize that marriage could bring a new and wonderful dynamic into their relationship.
Marriage Ministry Can Be Evangelistic:
If the Church develops programs that support all couples, there could be wonderful opportunities for evangelization and renewing of couples’ Catholic faith. Couples who connect with other couples are more likely to ask questions about marriage, especially when they are part of a warm, welcoming community that inspires growth and connection.
Benefits of Participating In Marriage Ministry:
Couples Have a Deeper Sense of Purpose:
Being part of a marriage ministry can provide couples with a deeper sense of purpose in their relationship. It helps them understand the significance of their partnership and the affect they can have on others.
Couples Feel Supported:
Couples who are involved in a marriage ministry have a supportive community that shares similar values and ideals. This community can offer encouragement and guidance and provide models that couples can aspire too while giving them hope that they’ll be able to get through hard times together.
Couples Grow Both Spiritually and Personally:
Continuing to learn healthy relationship skills from a faith-filled perspective encourages personal and spiritual growth. Going through these things together strengthens the bond that couples share and enhances their understanding of marriage as a sacrament.
Who Are Andrew & Terri Lyke?

Andrew & Terri Lyke during filming at The Marriage Group.
The mission of their ministry has been to strengthen the institution of marriage in the African-American community, and the focus of that work has been in marriage education, spiritual formation, and ongoing social support through outreach from faith-based communities. They’ve served at both the parish and diocesan level of marriage ministry, and they’ve written a beautiful book for couples titled Marriage on A Lampstand: Exploring a New Paradigm for Modern Christian Marriage.You can learn more about Andrew & Terri at
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