Panel offers Christian advice on relationships

At 7:30 p.m., Thursday in the Scottsbluff Room of the Student Center. The Revive club held a Valentine’s Day special relationship panel featuring married couples sharing their stories on how faith plays a major role in their marriage. 

The panel, which included couples Sam and Liz Parker, John and Ann Dockweiler and Mike and Maya Johnson, educated students on relationships and shared different ideas and advice to the young generation.

 Sam and Liz met 54 days before they decided to tie the knot, John and Ann met at the age of 15 and have been together since. Mike and Maya were in a long-distance relationship for a while before deciding to settle down.

The night opened with a song from some CSC students. Questions were asked about living as a couple and adapting to married life. 

When asked how they balance ministry and marriage, Mike said, “Ministry is more than that. Loving my wife and being a good father is ministry. Ministry is service. I’m not going to neglect my wife for ministry or vice versa. It should be balanced.” 

“Being a child of God and a follower of Jesus means peace, but it means sacrifice, and ministry sometimes is hardship,” Maya added. 

The question, “what rule does faith play in your marriage?” was asked of Sam and Liz.  The pair answered by saying, Christ plays a major role in every aspect of their lives.

John and Ann were asked how they handle conflict in their relationship. 

“We don’t fight a lot, so when we do it’s overwhelming,” Ann said. She explained that she tends to get quiet when John tries to work it out. “You’re managing the emotions associated with the conflict.” 

 Mike elaborated that some conflict is normal in every relationship, but he and Maya stand for unity, less conflict and more love.