Marriage Initiative

09/24/2026

Military marriages are under extreme stress, with challenges unique to their circumstances. Deployments, frequent relocations and high operational tempos add additional intensity to life’s ordinary ups and downs. The harsh reality is that many military marriages crumble from the relentless pressures of service.

U.S. Air Force Chaplain Major Matthew Spencer and his wife, Kristina, launched Valor and Vows ministry in 2025 to help military couples navigate the challenges of military life and build strong, faith-filled relationships.

To learn more about Matt and Kristina Spencer, tune in for this special Up Close and Personal!

09/21/2026

XO Marriage Intensives are an immersive, Bible-based coaching experience designed to help couples uncover what's driving their conflict at the deepest level. Guided by a trained XO Marriage coach, you'll move beyond managing symptoms and begin addressing the beliefs that shape the way you relate to one another.

Access the intensive interest form at the link below!

Looking for some great marriage advice? Get the best marriage advice from XO Marriage team of relationship experts. Don't give up on your marriage, get the help you need today!

09/20/2026

Valor and Vows: A Tactical Guide to a Mission-Ready Marriageis a groundbreaking resource for military couples seeking to strengthen their marriages amidst the unique challenges of service life. Drawing from over two decades of combined experience in military service, ministry, and marriage coaching, the Spencers offer practical tools and biblical principles to navigate deployments, high operational tempos, and the constant transitions of military life.

Whether newlyweds or seasoned partners, Valor and Vows inspires hope, deepens connections, and empowers couples to build marriages that not only endure but thrive.

Read more about Valor and Vows at the link below!

Valor and Vows: A Tactical Guide to a Mission-Ready Marriage

09/18/2026

Military marriages are under extreme stress, with challenges unique to their circumstances. Deployments, frequent relocations and high operational tempos add additional intensity to life’s ordinary ups and downs. The harsh reality is that many military marriages crumble from the relentless pressures of service.

U.S. Air Force Chaplain Major Matthew Spencer and his wife, Kristina, launched Valor and Vows ministry in 2025 to help military couples navigate the challenges of military life and build strong, faith-filled relationships.

Now Matt and Kristina bring more than 20 years of combined experience in ministry, counseling, and leadership to their work with military couples and families. They hold up the goal of creating Mission-Ready Marriages in which the service member who is at work or down range can focus on the mission and not have to worry about what’s going on at home. In turn, their spouse can feel like “they are playing a position on the field and not riding the bench.”

Learn more about Major Matthew Spencer and Kristina, their story, and their ministries on our blog!

Military marriages face intense pressures. Get Up Close and Personal with U.S. Air Force Chaplain Major Matt Spencer and his wife, Kristina, as they share how they’ve helped military couples strengthen their relationships for more than 20 years. An ordained minister herself, Kristina’s a content...

09/16/2026

It can be easy to focus on what’s declining in marriage today, but there are also things that are inclining and giving us reason to hope. As marriage leaders, let’s not overlook the growing openness of couples to seek help and invest in the health of their marriages.

09/14/2026

A single person’s understanding and view of marriage can deeply shape the health and outcome of their future marriage.

Marriage leaders - do you believe marriage ministry should extend beyond married couples to intentionally mentor and shepherd singles and dating couples? Why or why not?

09/12/2026

There are many reasons someone may have never gone to therapy before. Ranging from the stigma that can surround it, to the fear of trusting a stranger with their vulnerabilities and personal struggles. However, just because someone hasn't sought therapy doesn't mean they aren't committed to fighting for their marriage. As marriage leaders, how can we encourage spouses who find themselves in this position?

09/10/2026

Despite the doubters and detractors, getting married and raising a family remain milestones that mark the passage to adulthood. Being responsible for others has been shown to stave off mental illness, loneliness – even ill health. Social science research consistently finds that married people – men, women and couples – are healthier and happier. And that’s in addition to the well-documented two-parent privilege afforded their children.

Get Up Close and Personal with Andrea Mrozek as she explains why “plenty of research suggests that a good marriage encourages health, wellness, and happiness and that the goodness of marriage extends into our communities.”

Visit https://marriageresources.org/ to watch her full interview.

09/08/2026

Check out this interview with Andrea Mrozek , as she makes the case that we should reconsider the benefits of marriage — not just for individual health and happiness, but for overall societal good.

My interview with the author and Cardus Family fellow

09/06/2026

For many today, marriage is a nice thing, but not necessary. I . . . Do? is a book to help you reconsider the central importance of marriage, not simply for the couples involved, but for all of us.

Plenty of research suggests that a good marriage encourages health, wellness, and happiness, and that the goodness of marriage extends into our communities. To this, the retort comes quickly—well, that’s the result of a good marriage. Yet instead of nurturing good marriages, we are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Andrea Mrozek helps us discover that while marriage is not the solution to every problem, it remains, however, an ideal to which we can aspire.

Visit the link below to read more about why marriage matters—not only to couples, but to the health and flourishing of our communities.

For many today, marriage is a nice thing, but not necessary. is a book to help you reconsider the central importance of marriage, not simply for the couples involved, but for of us. Plenty of research suggests that a good marriage encourages health, wellness, and happiness and that the goodn...