Perry and Debra Alexander became affiliated with the Christian Coalition for Black Marriages and Families at the organization's 4-Day Emergency Black Marriage Summit March 21-24, 2011 at Winshape Retreat Center, Rome GA. The experience became two-fold for Perry and Debra. No only did they gain knowledge for improving their own marriage, but were inspired to reach out and encourage Black churches, the strongest most pervasive institution in the Black community, to implement, improve, enhance and/or start deliberate and intentional Christ-centered marriage ministries. The goals of their efforts include:
~promoting church-wide visions and strategies for marriage and family ~supporting an increase in the awareness of the marriage and family resources developed by black authors and creators ~providing Black marriage research statistics to increase awareness of Black marriage crisis ~developing a structure for small accountability groups to include biblical study and prayer ~organizing community-wide marriage outreach events to celebrate longevity and healthy marriages ~planning couple retreats for pastors and marriage and family leaders
Upon returning from the 2011 Summit, the couple started working to form a group that would help establish marriage education programs in Black churches that do not have organized Married Couples Ministries. The group meets monthly to study a Christ centered marriage curriculum, currently "Marriage ROCKS for Couples" by author Dr. Harold Arnold, and to work on marriage and family projects.
For additional information, contact the Alexander's at (706)346-1656 or newtradition13@gmail.com
FAME Board of Directors:
Perry and Debra Alexander
Lyndon and Sheba Burch
Rev. Ralph and Dorothy Hurling
Gerald and Towanda Russell
Rev. Alonza and Caponier Whitaker
Pastors Reginald and Marcia Williams