Fortified Marriages

Join us today as we interview Pastor Chris Garner, the founder and author of Fortified Marriages- a marriage ministry based in Chandler Arizona, that sincerely seeks to build strong marriages. Chris and his wife Carmen have been married almost 35 years and have been ministering to marriages for the past 20 years. Their ministry symbol or logo is a castle because it symbolizes strong marriages that can withstand the storms that come. If fact, Chris and Carmen are adamant about teaching that the storms WILL COME in marriage. Pastor Garner likes to use the scripture 1 Cor 7:28 when performing marriage ceremonies: "... But those who marry will face many troubles in this life..."

When asked, Chris states that early in marriage he had an "Aha moment" when he realized that we are all Saints; children of the God of the universe who are wholly and dearly loved. He states that when you understand and live that out, you've taken the first step in having a healthy marriage. He sites Gary Thomas's book, Sacred Marriage, that teaches us that marriage makes us holy, NOT happy. Marriage is to fulfill His purposes and to make us more like Christ; to do what He's called us to do. God's design and plan for marriage is so much better than our own selfish ones. The Garners teach that we all need tools to learn heathy communication and we all need healthy boundaries. They have learned to work through issues together and that expectations will kill a marriage! Chris and Carmen are self-admitted opposites, and when they realized that, they began to work together to build each other up. They teach that God MEANT for us to be different and that the strength lies in realizing, accepting, and respecting our differences.

Pastor Garner's workbook titled Fortified Marriages consists of 52 studies in 12 chapters. The Garners created the workbook and it's studies as a small group resource, to work well within churches and home small groups. Anyone can start a home group with this tecahing- it's all in the book! Videos don't get people talking so the Garner's believe in small group studies when it comes to discussing the workbook and it's studies. Even though they wrote the book, they state that they are still continually learning from their students. In the small group atmosphere, everyone in the room can teach everyone else something about marriage. The Garners speak and teach at different seminars and workshops as invited by churches. But the real focus is getting people to do the workbook study, as it encompasses virtually all areas of marriage. It builds the foundation and addresses all aspects of marriage- even one section that addresses parenting adult children!

The Garners are a down-to-earth, approachable couple who's sincere desire is to be used by God to change marriages. They do not like to take any credit themselves, instead they give all the glory to God. Their true joy is in teaching couples the tools in how to have a fortified marriage. In Chris's own words: "what a priviledge it is to have God use you as a world changer! We cannot do anything on our own. God saves your marriage, but you must do the work."