{"id":30816,"date":"2026-08-03T17:43:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=30816"},"modified":"2026-08-05T02:23:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T00:23:51","slug":"bring-joy-narratives-marriage-workshop-to-your-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/bring-joy-narratives-marriage-workshop-to-your-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Bring JOY Narratives Marriage Workshop to Your Church"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every marriage has visible and hidden stories. While we often publicly share the joyful moments, the stories marked by hurt, misunderstanding, and unmet expectations frequently remain unspoken. Yet these narratives can strongly influence how we love, communicate, and experience one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What if the stories quietly directing our marriages are not the ones God intended? Too often, assumptions and repeated negative thoughts distort our perceptions, fuel conflict, and weaken connection. God invites us to reorient our thinking around his truth instead.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"792\" height=\"652\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joy-narratives-workshop.png?resize=792%2C652&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joy-narratives-workshop.png?w=792&amp;ssl=1 792w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joy-narratives-workshop.png?resize=300%2C247&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joy-narratives-workshop.png?resize=768%2C632&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/joynarratives.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"joynarratives.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JOY Narratives<\/a>&#x2122; is a Christ-centered, neuroscience-informed workshop that helps couples identify and examine the stories influencing their marriage. Through self-reflection, one-on-one spousal exercises, group discussions, and practical tools, couples learn to slow down, examine their stories, and realign them with God\u2019s truth for deeper clarity, compassion, and spiritual growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This transformative workshop experience helps couples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify the positive and negative narratives\u00a0shaping their relationship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reframe unhelpful stories through Scripture\u00a0using our Whirlpool\u2011Whirlwind Narrative Flow&#x2122;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reset and revive communication before it flatlines\u00a0with our Communication Resuscitation&#x2122; tool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create personalized narrative battle plans\u00a0to continue growth long after the workshop ends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For ministry leaders, JOY Narratives equips your marrieds ministry to move beyond surface\u2011level workshop enrichment by helping couples self-discover and address the spiritual and emotional roots of their own stories. It fosters a culture of truth, grace, connection, and accountability\u2014strengthening marriages and, in turn, the wider church community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;One of the workshop&#8217;s greatest strengths was its interactive format. The guided activities gave couples the opportunity to pause from the pace of everyday life and engage in intentional, meaningful conversations with one another. Rather than simply listening to a presentation, couples were invited to reflect, share, and better understand each other&#8217;s perspectives. Those moments of purposeful conversation were among the most valuable aspects of the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; Johnny and Glorimar Rivera, Central Jersey Church of Christ<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;My husband and I had the privilege of participating in the very first JOY Narratives marriage workshop, and it was truly transformative. We left encouraged, challenged, and equipped with practical tools that have continued to strengthen our marriage years later.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; Zainabu Cunningham, LA Church of Christ<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Olubamowos.jpg?resize=600%2C799&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30818\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Olubamowos.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Olubamowos.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Koya and Donise Olubamowo, creators of JOY Narratives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To learn more about JOY Narratives,\u00a0visit our website at <a href=\"http:\/\/joynarratives.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joynarratives.com<\/a>. If you are interested in bringing JOY Narratives\u00a0to your congregation, complete our <a href=\"https:\/\/joynarratives.com\/contact-us-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contact form<\/a>\u00a0to explore whether it is the right fit for your ministry. For direct questions, email us at: <a href=\"mailto:info@joynarratives.com\">info@joynarratives.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>About the creators: Koya and Donise Olubamowo created JOY Narratives from lived experience after years of successes and challenges with the stories that shaped, strengthened, and often strained their marriage over time. Koya and Donise have been married for 22 years and have two children. They currently serve as shepherds in the Mercer County Church of Christ in New Jersey and are being trained for eldership.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What if the stories quietly directing our marriages are not the ones God intended?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":30819,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11,71],"tags":[54],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-30816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-families","category-news","tag-north-america"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joy-narratives-workshop.png?fit=792%2C652&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Lai-Yan Faller","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/lyfaller\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-812","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2854,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/caribbean-missions-society-facilitates-marriage-workshop\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":0},"title":"Caribbean Missions Society in Canada Facilitates Virtual Marriage Workshop for Caribbean Disciples","author":"dtadmin","date":"August 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Over 230 couples from the Caribbean completed an eight-week marriage workshop hosted by the Winnipeg Church of Christ.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CaribbeanMarriageWorkshop.png?fit=800%2C443&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CaribbeanMarriageWorkshop.png?fit=800%2C443&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CaribbeanMarriageWorkshop.png?fit=800%2C443&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CaribbeanMarriageWorkshop.png?fit=800%2C443&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4917,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/stages-of-a-healthy-marriage-interview-with-jessy-tohme\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":1},"title":"Stages of a Healthy Marriage: Interview with Jessy Tohme","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"How we feel about life often boils down to how we feel about our relationships. When those relationships are balanced and healthy, life is good. However too often we live with broken, strained relationships, and the pain can be unbearable.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Families&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Families","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/families\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/photo-1533091090875-1ff4acc497dd.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/photo-1533091090875-1ff4acc497dd.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/photo-1533091090875-1ff4acc497dd.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/photo-1533091090875-1ff4acc497dd.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/photo-1533091090875-1ff4acc497dd.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2501,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/stay-home-marriage-book-launch\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":2},"title":"Kevin &amp; Lisa Robbins Publish &quot;Stay Home Marriage&quot; Book","author":"dtadmin","date":"March 4, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The book \"Stay Home Marriage\" by Kevin and Lisa Robbins of Toronto provides insight for marriages in this time of crisis.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/StayHomeMarriageBookCoverThumbnail-94f0199b.jpeg?fit=490%2C328&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29271,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/where-truth-and-grace-meet-the-messy-middle\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":3},"title":"Where Truth and Grace Meet: The Messy Middle","author":"Lai-Yan Faller","date":"November 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Through her work with Strength in Weakness and Heart Set Above, Ellen walks with believers and churches in the messy middle.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Families&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Families","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/families\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ellen-radcliff-family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ellen-radcliff-family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ellen-radcliff-family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ellen-radcliff-family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ellen-radcliff-family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30473,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/a-love-story-across-continents\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":4},"title":"A Love Story Across Continents","author":"Lai-Yan Faller","date":"June 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A beautiful update from Steve and Eileen, one of the first married couples through DT Heart & Soul.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Singles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Singles","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/singles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steve-and-eileen.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steve-and-eileen.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steve-and-eileen.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steve-and-eileen.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steve-and-eileen.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3099,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/love-conquers-all-the-story-of-my-nieces-wedding\/","url_meta":{"origin":30816,"position":5},"title":"Love Conquers All: The Story of My Niece\u2019s Wedding","author":"dtadmin","date":"April 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"There's a new addition to our family\u2026 my niece Vita got married. 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