Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Inc.

Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening marital relationships through focused communication and personal growth. Registered under the business number 864641683RR0001, this organization offers structured weekend programs designed to help married couples deepen their connection away from everyday distractions and tensions.

Mission and Program

The core mission of Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Inc. is to revitalize Christian marriages by providing couples with a dedicated time and space to rediscover and focus on their relationship. The Marriage Encounter weekend is not a retreat, clinic, or group sensitivity session; rather, it is a unique approach aimed at enhancing communication, intimacy, and mutual understanding between spouses. While rooted in Christian principles, the program welcomes couples of all faiths who seek to improve their marriage.

During the weekend, couples are guided by trained volunteer couples and clergy who share personal experiences and facilitate a method called "dialogue"—a structured communication technique allowing spouses to reflect and share feelings in privacy. This process helps couples move beyond frustrations and disappointments often experienced in daily life, fostering deeper emotional intimacy and mutual support.

Programs Offered

Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter offers multiple engagement opportunities:

• Marriage Encounter Weekend: A weekend for married couples to rekindle romance, improve communication, and strengthen their marriage bonds.
• Engaged Encounter Weekend: Designed for engaged couples, this program typically takes place in a Bible camp setting with comfortable accommodations, allowing couples to prepare for their lifelong commitment by focusing on vital relational and communicative skills.

These weekends usually begin on Friday evening and conclude Sunday afternoon, creating an immersive environment for couples to concentrate solely on their relationship without external distractions.

Affiliation and Support

The organization operates with charitable status and issues charitable receipts for donations, supporting its mission to serve couples across denominations. It is affiliated with partner denominations such as the United Brethren Church in Canada, which participates actively in the Marriage Encounter ministry. This affiliation reinforces a shared vision of fostering healthy marriages grounded in Christian values.

Impact and Testimonials

Couples who have participated in Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter weekends frequently report significant positive impacts on their relationships. Testimonials highlight enhanced communication, renewed emotional intimacy, and powerful personal revelations that deepen marital connections. The experience is praised for its ability to evoke meaningful dialogue and provide practical tools for sustaining a vibrant and satisfying marriage.

Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Inc. continues to inspire couples to invest time in their marriages, recognizing that every marriage deserves attention to flourish and endure. Through its carefully structured programs, the organization fosters lasting relationships that align with their vision of God’s ideal for marriage.

[1] https://www.marriageencounter.org [2] https://www.marriageencounter.org/engaged-encounter/upcoming-encounters/ [3] https://marriageencounterec.com/donations/ [4] https://marriageencounterec.com [5] https://www.ubcanada.org/our-ministries/common-ministries/