graphics, communication tools, events,
date nights, and conferences that
support marriage. SAMI reports more
than 1 million people accessed
resources through their website or
social media pages last year.
“Don’t think you are the only one
when you are going through a very
difficult season in your marriage,” Carl
says. “Couples can feel so isolated and
hopeless. The reality is that we are
seeing thousands of incredible stories
of marriages turned around.”
Currently, SAMI partners with 24
champion churches to provide 200
events a year addressing 70 unique
marriage and family topics.
SAMI Board Member and Founder
of the California Health Marriage
Initiative, Dennis Stoica, says, “San
Antonio has more marriage resources
per square mile than any place in the
United States.” Carl agrees, “A lot of
faithful people in this community are
stepping forward — it is incredible.” He
continues, “We are all working to
connect, to be a consistent presence,
reminding people that your marriage is
worth fighting for.”
Some of those “faithful” are people
SAMI calls marriage champions —
those who will intentionally use their
stories of triumph through hardship to
inspire others. Recent studies have
shown that millennials deeply desire
authentic input from older couples in
their lives, but they are wary of
revisionist storytelling.
One such seasoned couple, Donna
and Robert Lagoudis, lead the
marriage ministry at Bulverde Baptist
Church. They openly share the story of
their rocky start — overcoming differ-ences
in religious and family
backgrounds, marrying while in college
and expecting a baby shortly after-ward.
Despite their struggles, the
Lagoudises found help through a
Christian resource that made all the
difference in their marriage once they
started practicing its principles.
Fast forward 17 years. Donna and
Robert’s marriage has gone from barely
surviving those first few years to thriv-ing.
They recognized they would have
benefitted from someone walking
alongside them during their season of
crisis, and they wanted to be that
beacon of hope for others. As they
became more involved in ministry, the
Lagoudises pursued training through
SAMI and became certified in biblical
counseling.
“They have used their story more
than any other couple I know to make
themselves relevant and greatly impact
many lives,” Carl says.
“We’ve been through the fire, but
we stuck it out,” Donna says. “We are
so passionate and so in love and
thankful for the miracle that God
worked in our lives. If we would have
quit, we would have missed out on 27
years of an amazing marriage and
ministry. Our marriage gets stronger
every single day. And if we can make it,
anybody can.”
The Lagoudises would agree with
Carl’s sentiment that “the amazing gift
of marriage allows us a one-of-a-kind
partner to journey through ordinary
days, writing an extraordinary story by
His power and for His glory.”
Interested in starting a marriage
ministry in your church or nonprofit?
Contact them today. Start by taking
Help us raise awareness for SAMI
just 30 minutes and find resources and
upcoming marriage events on their
website. As Carl stated, your marriage
is worth fighting for.
With every 1% drop in the national
divorce rate, more than one million
kids are positively impacted.
Founder of the Parrott Institute for Healthy Relationships
San Antonio Marriage Initiative
www.samarriage.com
(210) 651-5050
23995 Bat Cave Rd, Suite 150
San Antonio, TX 78266
Be A Light.
– Les Parrott
Visit. Click on the ministry website for
resources to keep your marriage healthy.
Learn. Train to become a marriage
champion. Pray. Pray for marriages to
thrive and reduce divorce rates in our city.
Serve. There are countless ways to make a
difference. Give. Every dollar directly brings
help, hope and healing to marriages.
STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner
Thank you Lord, for this Anonymous Partner
who generously gave to San Antonio
Marriage Initiative so that we could feature
this article in our December / January issue.
With this generous gift we are able to help
raise awareness for SAMI and all they do to
help those in need in our community.
December 2019 / January 2020 www.saBeacon.com 7
/www.samarriage.com
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