March 18, 2020
Marriage Strengthening Mission Trip Postponed Until Fall 2020
Shine Crossings Ministry is postponing its March 27, 2020 mission trip to Kenya until this fall due to the unprecedented global threat of the COVID-19 virus. This decision comes with great disappointment to our team, our partners, and the couples in Nairobi who signed up for the marriage seminars and train-the-trainer programs. Although the decision was driven to protect the health of everyone involved, Kenya has also closed its borders to any non-resident coming from a country with documented cases of the virus.
We would like to thank all of you who donated to our trip with prayers, books for the couples, and financial support. Your investment will still be put to work for its intended purpose but at a later date. We trust in the Lord, and know that God’s timing is perfect. “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9), and “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Among all the churches where we planned to bring our marriage and leadership strengthening, we had ~ 100 couples for the seminar and ~ 40 couples for the train-the-trainer program who would be future mentors to premarital and married couples. Faith and James would be our primary hands and feet on the ground in Nairobi continuing the marriage and family strengthening efforts after our return to the States. Because we know what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good, our prayer is that this 6 month delay will only allow the numbers of couples to grow, so our impact in the fall is farther reaching.
God gave us the Marriage Vision 2020 for East Africa over a year ago. We are holding strong in our faith to make this vision a reality. Spring may have been too early, and now it is the fall that we will focus our preparations. We will keep you posted on further developments.
July 12, 2019
FOCCUS and REFOCCUS Now Offered
Shine Crossings Ministry now offers another powerful tool to help dating and engaged couples prepare for marriage and for married couples who want to enrich their marital commitment. Although many couples are led by their feelings of love to walk down the aisle, a sustainable life-giving marriage requires preparation, which typically starts with key meaningful conversations. If premarital coaching was not part of your wedding preparation, it’s never to late to have those important conversations, even after having said, “I do.” The health of your marriage and of your family and its legacy depend on your relationship choices.
You can learn more about the program by visiting FOCCUS. If you have questions or are already excited to pre-invest in your marriage or strengthen it, reach out for a conversation at 281.793.3741 or coach.sandra.dillon@gmail.com. Shine Crossings Ministry is ready to get you on your way.
July 11, 2018
Hope Harvest Uganda Student Sponsorship
Another student is sponsored! We are excited to partner with Hope Harvest Uganda to sponsor 14-year old Mary Nakisuyi with her high school tuition fees. A high school education in Uganda is not free, and families struggle to give their children an education that most American children enjoy.
When family fu
nds are squeezed, parents typically choose to sponsor sons, leaving their daughters with little more than an elementary education. If you feel called to positively impact the life of one child, consider sponsoring a boy or girl from Hope Harvest Uganda [a 501(c)3 nonprofit], where only $20/month pays for his or her yearly tuition.
Hope Harvest also encourages you to have a relationship with the student you are sponsoring through the exchange of letters by mail or email. Get to know your child and learn more how your sponsorship is providing hope. If you feel led to learn more, I encourage you to reach out to Kari Mogen at hopeharvestugandainc@gmail.com. Kari is the nonprofit coordinator in the United States who can provide more information and answer any questions.
February 10, 2018
Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) Conference
Have you ever been interested in learning more about medical missions? Do you have a heart for helping people who do not have access to medical care that Americans enjoy? Take a first by registering for the M3 Conference hosted by Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on February 23-24, 2018. Then join the conference to find out what you can do and how to get involved.
The M3 Conference is designed to bring together doctors, nurses, dentists, other healthcare professionals, and anyone who has a desire to use their skills to meet global healthcare needs. You will hear first-hand reports from experts in the medical field who will inspire you with their stories. These men and women serve in resource-limited settings, doing what they can to make a difference in people’s lives. You will also connect with organizations working in the areas of medical missions, orphan care, WaSH ministry (water, sanitation or hygiene), human trafficking, poverty and injustice.
January 25, 2018
Marriage on the Rock Now Offered
Jimmy Evan’s Marriage on the Rock has been added as a third option to the marriage and relationship coaching programs offered by Shine Crossings Ministry. The other powerful programs are Prepare-Enrich and SYMBIS. Marriage on the Rock focuses on God’s design for a dream marriage by discussing the four misconceptions about love and revealing the four foundational laws of marriage. When a couple breaks any one of these four laws, it puts the marriage at risk. Understanding, making decisions, and living out these laws creates a platform where couples not only succeed but thrive.
September 13, 2017
Deep Love Assessment
Should you not have time to invest in the more detailed and powerful SYMBIS (Save-Your-Marriage-Before-It-Starts) program with a certified facilitator, then consider the Deep Love Assessment. Deep Love is similar to SYMBIS in that is provides a report that gets into a variety of relationship issues including a couple’s personality types, intimacy, and how they shape issues like communication and conflict management.
Once a couple has completed the Deep Love Assessment, they will receive the results directly to their email and will also receive a “Deep Love Action Plan” that recommends how to debrief their results together. The Action Plan is a fun-filled and informative guide that will walk the couple through four “dates” that correspond to four sections in their report: personality, communication, conflict, and adaptability.
If you decide to take the assessment, you can learn more and sign up by visiting the website: http://www.deeploveassessment.com
August 3, 2017
Come Join the XO Marriage Tour
Grow Old Together: Living, Loving, & Laughing
Whether your marriage is thriving, steady, or in need of some life, we welcome you to join us for a day of investing in your marriage. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Darin and Sandi will be attending the XO Marriage Conference hosted at Grace Community Church. Come spend a day with other couples and notable marriage speakers such as Jimmy & Karen Evans, who understand that marriage is a relationship that needs to be nurtured for it to grow and strengthen. Click on the link to learn more about XO Marriage Conference. Let us know if you register, so we can celebrate with you.
July 28, 2017
Whose Job Comes First?
Korn Ferry published an article titled, Whose Job Comes First?, that describes the monetary and non-monetary factors that dual income parents use when deciding which parent should stay home to raise their children. Parenting should be a co-leadership position and what might be right for one family may be different for another. Husband and wife should also consider how God has called each to serve and what is in the family’s best interest.
Shine Crossings Ministry 