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."
 Light In The Garden Ministries
FACILITATOR REQUEST FORM
Speaker must receive this completed form before engagement can be confirmed

Organization Name: _________________________ Date(s) of event: _________________

TRAVEL EXPENSES TRANSPORTATION

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: _____________________________
_____________________________________
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:
____________________________________
_

Day phone: ___________________________ EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY

Eve. phone: __________________________ (Please check the equipment below that is
available for use)
Cell phone: ___________________________
□ Podium
Fax: ________________________________
□ Microphone
Email: _______________________________ □ Overhead Screen & Projector
Organization website: □ TV/VCR
□ Flipchart / Easel / Markers
□ Presenter’s work table
□ Table for handouts/materials

□ Laptop

□ Audio (CD Player, Speakers, etc)

□ Presenters chair/stool
 Light In The Garden Ministries
If an informational flier will be sent to
MEETING PLACE AND DIRECTIONS attendees, please send a copy prior to the
Name of meeting place: _________________ event.

_____________________________________ Will other speakers or dignitaries be attending?

 YES  NO
Address: _____________________________
(If yes, please send the names and profiles of
_____________________________________ each)
Phone: ______________________________ DESIRED TOPIC/SUBJECT OF
Directions if speaker is driving to your event: PRESENTATION
(Please attach) SERMON THEME:
NAME OF EVENT AND/OR □ Please specify:
MEETING THEME _____________________________________

Name/Theme: _________________________ MARRIAGE SEMINARS/RETREATS:

_____________________________________ □ In The Garden
Networking time: __________ a.m. / p.m. □ Treasure Hunt
Engagement starts: __________ a.m. / p.m. □ Help Wanted
(If requesting multiple sessions please provide a
□ It Takes Two To Tango
copy of the program/agenda)
□ The Family Plan
EVENT ORGANIZER □ Escape To Paradise
□ Unsolved Mynisteries
Name: _______________________________
□ Fireproof Your Marriage
Address: _____________________________
□ Other (please specify): _____________
Day phone: ___________________________
_____________________________________
Eve. phone: __________________________
Cell phone: ___________________________ TYPE OF EVENT
Email: _______________________________
□ Marriage Seminar
SPEAKER’S ROLE
□ Marriage Retreat
□ Primary speaker □ Special event:
Time allotted: ____________________
□ Facilitator o Church Service
□ Panel member o Anniversary Event
□ Invited guest with no presentation  Pastor  Church
□ Other (please specify): _____________ What year are you celebrating?
_____________
_____________________________________
□ Other (please specify): ____________
Will there be a Questions & Answers period?
_____________________________________
 YES  NO
If yes, How long? _________________
 Light In The Garden Ministries
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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