To the outside world, Michael and Melinda had a perfect marriage. However, years of unspoken expectations, frustrations, disappointments, resentment, contempt, hurt, and anger erupted like a volcano sending them into a turbulent storm. Through God's word and community they learned that a thriving marriage is possible when you surrender it all into His mighty hands.
Michael Parisi, Melinda Parisi • Oct 12, 2022 • Dallas
Bobby and Shari JohnsNov 8, 2023 • Dallas |
Monte and Marsha DunnNov 1, 2023 • Dallas |
Julie and Mark NicholsonOct 25, 2023 • Dallas |
Jerry and LoriOct 18, 2023 • Dallas |
Steve and Amie BradleyOct 11, 2023 • Dallas |
Marcus and Carol BrownSep 20, 2023 • Dallas |
Nancy and Mark RovenstineSep 6, 2023 • Dallas |
Kyle and Lucina ThompsonAug 23, 2023 • Dallas |
David and CaitAug 9, 2023 • Dallas |
Mandy and Leonard BagdanovAug 2, 2023 • Dallas |
Michelle and Nate BallJul 26, 2023 • Dallas |
Nate and Megan MickishJul 19, 2023 • Dallas |
Wes and Angie TalleyJul 5, 2023 • Dallas |
Jen and Alex LeskoJun 21, 2023 • Dallas |
Alissa and Shane MauldinJun 14, 2023 • Dallas |
Daniel and Cynthia CostaJun 7, 2023 • Dallas |
Sheri and Brett JohnstonMay 31, 2023 • Dallas |
Robert and Linda GreenMay 24, 2023 • Dallas |
John and Jeanie CoxMay 17, 2023 • Dallas |
Wade and Betsy NowlinMay 10, 2023 • Dallas |
David and Tara JensenMay 3, 2023 • Dallas |
Jim and Judy WimberleyJim & Judy Wimberley • Apr 12, 2023 • Dallas |
Jimmy and Michelle ComeauxApr 5, 2023 • Dallas |
Kevin and Kelli MainzMar 29, 2023 |
David and Manuela AcostaRe|Engage • Mar 26, 2023 |
Rob and Haley ThomasMar 22, 2023 • Dallas |
Robbie and Teri VedrenneMar 15, 2023 • Dallas |
Rick and Michelle HowardMar 1, 2023 • Dallas |
Matt and Jenn FarlowFeb 22, 2023 • Dallas |
David and Lauren KinneyJan 25, 2023 • Dallas |
Jared and Leigh Anne SullivanJared & Leigh Anne Sullivan • Jan 11, 2023 • Dallas |
Markus and Mary Kay JabekJan 4, 2023 • Dallas |
Neil and Jody CurranDec 7, 2022 • Dallas |
Scot and Michelle BuchananNov 30, 2022 • Dallas |
David and CaitNov 16, 2022 • Dallas |
Wes and Angie TalleyNov 9, 2022 • Dallas |
Tobin and Christina MillerOct 26, 2022 • Dallas |
Michael and Melinda ParisiMichael Parisi, Melinda Parisi • Oct 12, 2022 • Dallas |
David and Denise RenkenSep 28, 2022 • Dallas |
Bobby and Shari JohnsSep 14, 2022 • Dallas |
John and Debbie WingfieldSep 7, 2022 • Dallas |
Mark and Nancy RovenstineAug 31, 2022 • Dallas |
Todd and Julie AndersTodd Anders • Aug 24, 2022 • Dallas |
LaDale and Cynthia BuggsAug 3, 2022 • Dallas |
Chris and Katie SherrodJul 27, 2022 • Dallas |
Kyle and Lucina ThompsonKyle & Lucinda Thompson • Jul 20, 2022 • Dallas |
Simon and Katrina SaugierJul 13, 2022 • Dallas |
Willie and Gigi HornbergerJul 6, 2022 • Dallas |
Mark and Julie NicholsonJun 22, 2022 • Dallas |
Nate and Michelle BallJun 15, 2022 • Dallas |
Robbie and Teri VedrenneMay 25, 2022 • Dallas |
Paul and Kelly RutherfordMay 18, 2022 • Dallas |
David and Tara JensenMay 11, 2022 • Dallas |
John and Jeanie CoxMay 4, 2022 • Dallas |
Steve and Amie BradleyApr 27, 2022 • Dallas |
Chris and Michelle DishmanApr 20, 2022 • Dallas |
Kevin and Kelly MainzApr 13, 2022 • Dallas |
Jim and Judy WimberleyJim & Judy Wimberley • Apr 6, 2022 • Dallas |
Dean and Tawney MacfarlanMar 30, 2022 • Dallas |
Rob and Haley ThomasRob and Haley Thomas • Mar 23, 2022 • Dallas |
Shane and Alissa MauldinMar 16, 2022 • Dallas |
David and Lauren KinneyMar 9, 2022 • Dallas |
Markus and Mary Kay JabekMar 2, 2022 • Dallas |
Martha and Ivan IllarramendiFeb 16, 2022 • Dallas |
Ryan and Callie NixonRyan & Callie Nixon • Feb 9, 2022 • Dallas |
Alex and Jen LeskoJan 19, 2022 • Dallas |
Jared and Leigh Anne SullivanJan 12, 2022 • Dallas |
Selena and Michael ThompsonJan 5, 2022 • Dallas |
Russ and Karen FleigDec 15, 2021 • Dallas |
Phil and Beth BrinkmeyerDec 8, 2021 • Dallas |
Leonard and Mandy BagdanovDec 1, 2021 • Dallas |
Glenn and Desiree NewblomNov 17, 2021 • Dallas |
Michael and Melinda ParisiNov 10, 2021 • Dallas |
Bobby and Shari JohnsNov 3, 2021 • Dallas |
Brett and Jan BrusterOct 20, 2021 • Dallas |
Wes and Angie TalleyOct 13, 2021 • Dallas |
Mac and Sophie MacfarlanOct 6, 2021 • Dallas |
John and Debbie WingfieldSep 29, 2021 |
Brett and Chrisey BillmanSep 15, 2021 • Dallas |
Nate and Michelle BallSep 8, 2021 |
Mark and Nancy RovenstineAug 25, 2021 • Dallas |
Divorce PanelJun 23, 2021 |
Trey and Shera O'NealJun 16, 2021 • Dallas |
LaDale and Cynthia BuggsJun 9, 2021 • Dallas |
Shane and Alissa MauldinJun 2, 2021 • Dallas |
David and Tara JensenMay 26, 2021 • Dallas |
Jared and Leigh Anne SullivanMay 19, 2021 • Dallas |
Jim and Judy WimberleyJim & Judy Wimberley • Apr 28, 2021 |
Ivan and Martha IllarramendiApr 28, 2021 • Dallas |
Billy and Amanda PorcheApr 21, 2021 • Dallas |
Steve and Amie BradleyApr 14, 2021 • Dallas |
Griffin and Kami StroopeApr 7, 2021 • Dallas |
David and Lauren KinneyMar 31, 2021 • Dallas |
Rick and Michelle HowardMar 24, 2021 • Dallas |
Glenn and Desiree NewblomMar 17, 2021 • Dallas |
Markus and Mary Kay JabekMar 3, 2021 • Dallas |
David and Tara JensenFeb 24, 2021 • Dallas |
Brett and Jan BrusterJan 20, 2021 • Dallas |
Bobby and Shari JohnsJan 13, 2021 • Dallas |
Ryan and Callie NixonAug 28, 2020 |
Steve and Amie BradleyJun 2, 2020 |
Testimony- Brian and Morgan BuchekMar 4, 2020 • Dallas |
Testimony - David & Tara JensenMar 2, 2020 • Plano |
Blended Family PanelFeb 26, 2020 • Dallas |
Testimony - Greg & Jennifer SutherlandFeb 24, 2020 • Plano |
Testimony - Jacob & April NeelyFeb 17, 2020 • Plano |
Troy and Julia BussmeirFeb 7, 2020 |
Nick and Rachel KleinFeb 7, 2020 |
Mike and Shelly AhlemeierFeb 7, 2020 |
Matt and Andrea WalkerFeb 7, 2020 |
Luis and Kaylee CaceresFeb 7, 2020 |
Graham and Stacey RobbinsFeb 7, 2020 |
Andy and Jenny MarshFeb 7, 2020 |
Jared and Leigh Anne SullivanFeb 5, 2020 • Dallas |
Griffin and Kami Stroope TestimonyJan 22, 2020 |
TestimonyJan 8, 2020 |
Divorce PanelBrett Bruster, Bobby Johns, Alissa Mauldin • Nov 20, 2019 |
TestimonyLaDale & Cynthia Buggs • Nov 13, 2019 |
TestimonyNov 6, 2019 |
Testimony- Glenn and Desiree NewblomOct 23, 2019 |
Michael and Selena ThompsonOct 21, 2019 |
Testimony- Greg and Emily GoodinOct 16, 2019 |
Re|Engage Large Group TestimonySep 18, 2019 |
Re|Engage Large Group TestimonySep 11, 2019 |
Brandon and Brittani TravelsteadSep 7, 2019 |
Re|Engage Large Group TestimonyShane & Alissa Mauldin • Aug 28, 2019 |
Re|Engage Large Group TestimonyRyan & Callie Nixon, John & Pam McGee • Aug 21, 2019 |
Re|Engage Large Group TestimonyDru & Amanda Guillot • Aug 14, 2019 • Plano |
Martin and Lenore GaoJul 24, 2019 • Dallas |
Testimony - Shera and Trey O’NealJul 10, 2019 • Dallas |
John and Debbie WingfieldJun 12, 2019 |
Alex and Jen LeskoJun 12, 2019 |
Tim and Kalyn GeregJun 5, 2019 |
Jimmy and Michelle ComeauxMay 29, 2019 |
Raeul and Susan CoxMay 15, 2019 |
Jason and Mandy CastroMay 15, 2019 |
David and Robin HowardMay 15, 2019 |
Ivan and Martha IllarramendiMay 1, 2019 |
Robert and Linda GreenRobert and Linda Green • Apr 10, 2019 |
LaDale and Cynthia BuggsApr 10, 2019 |
Markus and Mary Kay JabekApr 3, 2019 |
Billy and Amanda PorcheMar 27, 2019 |
Brett and Jan BrusterBrett & Jan Bruster • Mar 13, 2019 |
Greg and Emily GoodinMar 6, 2019 |
Charles and Karen BundrenCharles & Karen Bundren • Feb 6, 2019 |
TestimonyNate & Michelle Ball • Jan 30, 2019 |
Testimony - Jared and Leigh Anne SullivanJared & Leigh Anne Sullivan • Jan 23, 2019 |
Bobby and Shari JohnsBobby & Shari Johns • Jan 9, 2019 |
Testimony - LaDale and Cynthia BuggsLaDale & Cynthia Buggs • Dec 5, 2018 |
Re|Engage Spanish Night Testimony - Manuel & Elvia LemusNov 14, 2018 |
Re|Engage Spanish Night Testimony - Ivan & Martha IllarramendiIvan & Martha Illarramendi • Nov 14, 2018 |
Ivan and Martha IllarramendiIvan & Martha Illarramendi • Nov 14, 2018 |
Testimony - Alex and Jen LeskoNov 7, 2018 |
Testimony - Raeul and Susan CoxRaeul & Susan Cox • Oct 31, 2018 |
Simon and Katrina SaugierKatrina Saugier, Simon Saugier • Oct 10, 2018 |
David and Denise RenkenDavid & Denise Renken • Sep 10, 2018 • Plano |
Testimony - Robert & Linda GreenRobert and Linda Green • Sep 5, 2018 |
Testimony - Martin and Lenore GaoAug 29, 2018 |
Shane and Alissa MauldinAug 22, 2018 |
Testimony - Markus and Mary Kay JabekAug 15, 2018 |
Testimony - Charles and Karen BundrenCharles Bundren, Karen Bundren, Charles & Karen Bundren • Aug 1, 2018 |
Testimony - Bobby & Shari JohnsBobby & Shari Johns • Jul 18, 2018 |
Testimony - Ivan & MarthaIvan & Martha Illarramendi • Jun 27, 2018 |
Testimony - Tim & Kalyn GeregJun 20, 2018 |
Greg & Tonya GilmerGreg & Tonya Gilmer • May 30, 2018 |
Testimony - Ryan & Callie NixonRyan & Callie Nixon • May 23, 2018 |
Paul and Kelly RutherfordPaul & Kelly Rutherford • May 9, 2018 |
Nate and Michelle BallNate & Michelle Ball • May 2, 2018 |
Kevin and Kelli MainzKevin & Kelly Mainz • Apr 18, 2018 |
Testimony - Greg and Emily GoodinGreg Goodin, Emily Goodin • Mar 28, 2018 |
Testimony - John and Debbie WingfieldJohn Wingfield, Debbie Wingfield • Mar 14, 2018 |
Testimony - Shane & Alissa MauldinShane & Alissa Mauldin • Feb 28, 2018 |
Brett and Chrisey BillmanBrett & Chrisey Billman • Feb 21, 2018 |
Todd and Alex WagnerTodd & Alex Wagner • Feb 7, 2018 |
Teaching - CommunityScott Coy • Jan 24, 2018 |
Teaching- CompletionJohn & Pam McGee • Dec 6, 2017 |
Testimony - Markus & Mary Kay JabekMarkus & Mary Kay Jabek • Nov 29, 2017 |
Testimony - Dave & Denise RenkenDave & Denise Renken • Nov 15, 2017 |
Robert and Liz WhiteRobert & Liz White • Nov 8, 2017 |
Testimony- John and Pam McGeeJohn & Pam McGee • Nov 1, 2017 |
Testimony- Charles and Karen BundrenCharles & Karen Bundren • Oct 25, 2017 |
Testimony - John & Debbie WingfieldJohn & Debbie Wingfield • Oct 18, 2017 |
Testimony - Greg & Tonya GilmerGreg & Tonya Gilmer • Oct 11, 2017 |
Testimony - Ryan & Callie NixonRyan & Callie Nixon • Sep 20, 2017 |
Kyle and Lucina ThompsonKyle & Lucinda Thompson • Sep 13, 2017 |
Testimony - Jared & Leigh Anne SullivanJared & Leigh Anne Sullivan • Aug 30, 2017 |
Testimony - Bobby & Shari JohnsBobby & Shari Johns • Aug 23, 2017 |
John Paul and RenaAug 16, 2017 |
Testimony - Paul & Kelly RutherfordPaul and Kelly Rutherford • Jul 26, 2017 |
Trey and Shera O'NealTrey O'Neal , Shera O'Neal • Jul 19, 2017 |
Testimony - Kevin & Kelli MainzKelli Mainz, Kevin Mainz • Jul 12, 2017 |
Erick and Gina FrankJun 28, 2017 |
Martin & Lenore Gao TestimonyMay 31, 2017 |
Tyler and Jenny O'NealMay 24, 2017 |
Mark and Kathy ThomasMay 17, 2017 |
Peter and EleanorMay 10, 2017 |
Testimony - Shane & Alissa MauldinMay 3, 2017 |
Eric and Catherine CouchEric Couch, Catherine Couch • Apr 19, 2017 |
Bill and Ann DalyMar 29, 2017 |
Testimony - LaDale & Cynthia BuggsMar 22, 2017 |
Testimony - Nate & Michelle BallNate Ball, Michelle Ball • Mar 15, 2017 |
Michael and Stefanie SantiagoMar 6, 2017 |
Steve and Natalie HammRe|Engage • Feb 20, 2017 |
Testimony - Brett & Chrisey BillmanBrett Billman, Chrisey Billman • Feb 15, 2017 |
Chris and Charece RobbinsFeb 8, 2017 |
Testimony - Charles & Karen BundrenFeb 1, 2017 |
Klein and Holly SwannieJan 18, 2017 |
Dean and Tawney MacfarlanJan 11, 2017 |
Mark and Nancy RovenstineDec 21, 2016 |
Testimony - Kevin and Kelli MainzNov 30, 2016 |
Testimony - Robert & Liz WhiteLiz White, Robert White • Nov 9, 2016 |
Testimony - John & Debbie WingfieldOct 26, 2016 |
Testimony - Mark & Kathy ThomasOct 12, 2016 |
Testimony - Bobby and Shari JohnsOct 5, 2016 |
Testimony - Simon & Katrina SaugierSimon Saugier, Katrina Saugier • Sep 28, 2016 |
Testimony - Shane & Alissa MauldinShane Mauldin, Alissa Mauldin • Sep 21, 2016 |
Teaching - The Importance of Fun in MarriageJohn & Pam McGee • Sep 14, 2016 |
TestimonyPaul and Kelly Rutherford • Aug 24, 2016 |
Teaching - Sexual IntimacyRobert and Linda Green • Aug 17, 2016 |
Rick and Michele HowardRe|Engage • Aug 10, 2016 |
Scott and Laura DeBowRe|Engage • Jul 27, 2016 |
Zech and Kim LumpkinRe|Engage • Jul 20, 2016 |
Tyler and Jenny O'Neal TestimonyRe|Engage • Jul 13, 2016 |
Scott and Kristen KedershaRe|Engage • Jun 22, 2016 |
Bill and Ann DalyRe|Engage • Jun 15, 2016 |
Bobby and Shari JohnsRe|Engage • Jun 8, 2016 |
Newly and Karen SpikesJun 2, 2016 |
Jon and Kathy FlamingRe|Engage • May 11, 2016 |
Brett and Jan BrusterRe|Engage • Apr 27, 2016 |
Reid and Jenny GriffinRe|Engage • Apr 20, 2016 |
Kyle and Lucina ThompsonRe|Engage • Apr 13, 2016 |
Chris and Charece RobbinsRe|Engage • Mar 23, 2016 |
Brett and Chrisey BillmanRe|Engage • Mar 9, 2016 |
Dee and Roddy ElliottRe|Engage • Mar 2, 2016 |
Derek and Stacy BrazielRe|Engage • Feb 17, 2016 |
Greg and Tonya GilmerRe|Engage • Feb 3, 2016 |
Adam and Brooke FishRe|Engage • Jan 27, 2016 |
Shane and Alissa MauldinRe|Engage • Jan 13, 2016 |
Everett and Emily AlexanderRe|Engage • Jan 6, 2016 |
Mark and Kathy ThomasRe|Engage • Dec 16, 2015 |
Divorce PanelRe|Engage • Dec 9, 2015 |
Matt and Amy LevyRe|Engage • Nov 18, 2015 |
Robert and Liz WhiteRe|Engage • Nov 4, 2015 |
Bryce and Elizabeth EricksonRe|Engage • Oct 21, 2015 |
Greg and Tonya GilmerRe|Engage • Oct 7, 2015 |
Chris and Charece RobbinsRe|Engage • Sep 30, 2015 |
Dru and Amanda GuillotRe|Engage • Sep 23, 2015 |
Dee and Roddy ElliottRe|Engage • Sep 16, 2015 |
Warren and Angie WrightRe|Engage • Sep 9, 2015 |
Derek and Stacy BrazielRe|Engage • Sep 2, 2015 |
Chris and Dana AdamsonRe|Engage • Jul 10, 2015 |
Jeremy and Mindi PattyRe|Engage • Jul 8, 2015 |
Bobby and Shari JohnsRe|Engage • Jun 17, 2015 |
Jim and Judy WimberleyRe|Engage • Jun 3, 2015 |
Kevin and Kelli MainzRe|Engage • May 20, 2015 |
Brett and Chrisey BillmanRe|Engage • May 11, 2015 |
Jason and Mandy CastroRe|Engage • May 6, 2015 |
Kyle and Lucina ThompsonRe|Engage • Apr 29, 2015 |
Reid and Jenny GriffinRe|Engage • Apr 22, 2015 |
Greg and Tonya GilmerRe|Engage • Apr 1, 2015 |
Raeul and Susan CoxRe|Engage • Mar 18, 2015 |
Dee and Roddy ElliottRe|Engage • Feb 25, 2015 |
John and Meredith HallRe|Engage • Feb 18, 2015 |
Ryan and Callie NixonRe|Engage • Feb 11, 2015 |
Adam and Brooke FishRe|Engage • Jan 28, 2015 |
Shane and Alissa MauldinRe|Engage • Jan 14, 2015 |
Bobby and Shari JohnsRe|Engage • Dec 3, 2014 |
Bobby and Shari JohnsRe|Engage • Dec 3, 2014 |
Greg and Tonya GilmerGreg Gilmer, Re|Engage, Tanya Gilmer • Nov 19, 2014 |
Robert and Liz WhiteRe|Engage • Nov 12, 2014 |
A.C. and Debi NdindjockRe|Engage • Nov 5, 2014 |
Mark and Nancy RovenstineRe|Engage • Oct 22, 2014 |
Reid and Jenny GriffinRe|Engage • Oct 15, 2014 |
Bryce and Elizabeth EricksonRe|Engage • Oct 13, 2014 |
Bill and Kathryn BuntynRe|Engage • Oct 1, 2014 |
Nate and Teresa GraybillRe|Engage • Sep 24, 2014 |
Robert and Lou Ann McMillenRe|Engage • Sep 17, 2014 |
Dee and Roddy ElliottRe|Engage • Sep 17, 2014 |
Kirk and Cathy McJunkinRe|Engage • Aug 27, 2014 |
Adam and Jackie Tarnow - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Aug 13, 2014 |
Kyle and Lucina Thompson - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jul 30, 2014 |
Joey and Christian Rider - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jul 2, 2014 |
Jason and Mandy Castro - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 25, 2014 |
Jeff and Martha Sharrock - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 18, 2014 |
Scott and Kristen Kedersha - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 11, 2014 |
Zech and Kim Lumpkin - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 4, 2014 |
Chris and Charece Robbins - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 7, 2014 |
Robert and Linda GreenRe|Engage • Apr 30, 2014 |
Everett and Emily Alexander - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 23, 2014 |
Bobby and Shari Johns - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 16, 2014 |
Neal and Ann Holford - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 9, 2014 |
Les and Desi Brown - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 26, 2014 |
Simon and Katrina Saugier - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jan 22, 2014 |
Mark and Nancy Rovenstine - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jan 15, 2014 |
Chris and Dana Adamson - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jan 8, 2014 |
Rick and Michele Howard - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Dec 18, 2013 |
Divorce Panel - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Dec 11, 2013 |
Bryce and Elizabeth Erickson - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Nov 20, 2013 |
Dee and Roddy Elliott - re|engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Nov 13, 2013 |
Mike and Laura LabunskiRe|Engage • Nov 6, 2013 |
Robert and Liz White - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 30, 2013 |
Eddy and Rachel Badrina - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 23, 2013 |
Shane and Alissa Mauldin - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 16, 2013 |
David and Denise Renken - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 9, 2013 |
Reid and Jenny Griffin - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Sep 25, 2013 |
A.C. and Debi Ndindjock - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Sep 18, 2013 |
Joey and Christian Rider - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Sep 11, 2013 |
Scott and Kristen KedershaRe|Engage • Aug 7, 2013 |
Jeff and Martha SharrockRe|Engage • Jul 31, 2013 |
Neal and Ann Holford - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 29, 2013 |
Wes and Brandy Butler - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 3, 2013 |
Andy and Jennifer Bailey - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 27, 2013 |
Lance and Mandy Sisco - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jan 16, 2013 |
Leonard and Mandy Bagdanov - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Dec 19, 2012 |
Blake and Rebecca Holmes - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 10, 2012 |
Chris and Dana - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Aug 8, 2012 |
Catherine and Tom - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 25, 2012 |
Angie and Warren Wright - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 28, 2012 |
Teri and Robbie Vedrenne - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 21, 2012 |
Tawney and Dean Macfarlan - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 14, 2012 |
Brooke and Adam Fish - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Feb 29, 2012 |
Judy and Jim Wimberly - Re|Engage TestiomonyRe|Engage • Feb 22, 2012 |
Kim and Zech Lumpkin - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Feb 8, 2012 |
Mary and Ted Randall - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jan 11, 2012 |
Susan and Raeul - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Dec 21, 2011 |
Katie and Brandon Lokey - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Dec 14, 2011 |
Mindi and Jeremy - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Nov 30, 2011 |
Lisbeth and Hil Bowman - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 19, 2011 |
Meredith and John Hall - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Sep 28, 2011 |
Tanna and Rick - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Sep 14, 2011 |
Cathy and Kirk McJunkin - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Aug 24, 2011 |
Crystal and Anthony Obey - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jul 27, 2011 |
Rachel and EddyRe|Engage • Jun 29, 2011 |
Lucina and Kyle Thompson - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 22, 2011 |
Adam and Aleks Stewart - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 15, 2011 |
Linda and John Berry - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 25, 2011 |
Lora and Jeff Strese - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 11, 2011 |
Julie and Todd Anders - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 27, 2011 |
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Apr 20, 2011 |
Jackie and Adam Tarnow - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 23, 2011 |
Ann and Matt Piper - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Feb 16, 2011 |
Cindy and Mike Homsher - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Nov 3, 2010 |
Julie and Scott Sedberry - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Oct 13, 2010 |
Rebecca and Chip Dickens - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Aug 25, 2010 |
Missy and David Leventhal - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Aug 18, 2010 |
Carrie and Troy Patterson - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Jun 30, 2010 |
Sheri and Brett Johnston - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 19, 2010 |
Tanna and Rick Wisner - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • May 12, 2010 |
Anna and Kavon Moradi - Re|Engage TestimonyRe|Engage • Mar 24, 2010 |
Michael Hi, My name is Michael Parisi and this is my bride Melinda. We met and dated in college beginning in 1995 and (wedding photo) we were married in 2002. It is by God’s grace that we humbly stand before you today, having celebrated our 20th anniversary in August. God moved us from Colorado to Dallas two years ago after quite a journey with Him there! As we share with you tonight, we pray that God’s amazing grace and faithfulness take the spotlight and that we all walk out of here more in awe of His power to rescue, redeem, and beautify our marriages because of His great love for us.
In 2012, events unfolded that would change our family’s direction for all eternity. Our daughters (photo of young girls) were ages 3 and 6, we had just celebrated our tenth anniversary, and to everyone around us we appeared to have the perfect marriage. Looks can be deceiving though. Years and years of unspoken expectations, frustrations, disappointments, resentment, contempt, hurt, and anger erupted like a volcano sending us into a turbulent storm.
At that time, Melinda was completely invested in motherhood, while I was completely invested in being the financial provider for our family. I did not take this role lightly because I had made a promise to myself after hearing my parents fight a lot about finances late in high school. “My plan” was to make enough money to give my wife all that she could ever want so that we would NEVER have arguments about money. That said, my focus during the first 10 years of marriage with Melinda was about getting where I wanted us to be financially. It wasn’t about trying to create an intimate connection with Melinda, or leading Melinda spiritually, or loving Melinda in the selfless ways God wants us to love our spouse.
To paraphrase, Matthew 6:19-24 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...You cannot serve both God and money.” These verses remind me of just how far away from God my heart was prior to 2013. Admittedly, I was serving money, and wasn’t even close to serving God.
You could say that Melinda and I were great partners, however, we lacked real intimacy in our relationship because neither of us was bold enough to initiate conversation about the thoughts and needs of our hearts. We just kept chugging along, each coping the only ways we knew how (alcohol, busyness, immersing ourselves in our kids, chasing the dollar), all the while, thinking the other was satisfied and content. I was living life under the impression that we had a great marriage, but I was clueless to the fact that our inability to share struggles with one another was leading us down a dangerous path.
Melinda I felt overwhelmed as a stay at home mom, with little control over our daughters’ behaviors. I had grown up as a perfectionistic, competitive athlete with a track record of success in sports and academics. I thrived off recognition and affirmation from others. In my role at home, I was not affirmed or praised for my long hours or dedication to this demanding job. I felt inferior to other moms which caused me to isolate myself. I felt alone and dissatisfied with my circumstances, but I couldn’t bring myself to openly share my struggles with anyone else. In my mind, struggles were weaknesses and my pride refused to advertise such imperfection. At that time, I was unaware of the Scriptural perspective of weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 the Lord tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds to this truth by saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” As I had learned to do early in life, I stuffed my feelings and I numbed the unhappiness and dissatisfaction by striving for the perfect body and chasing success through triathlons, a marathon, and half marathons...all things that I believed would validate my worth in others’ eyes. I reached a point where I saw Michael as an obstacle to my happiness. In my self-absorbed state and with a hardened heart, a seemingly innocent intrigue of a fellow gym-goer turned into infatuation, and ultimately into a full-blown affair. I contemplated how to inform Michael that I was in love with another man, and that I wanted out of our marriage. I felt fulfilled and satisfied, like I had found my soulmate and the intimacy I thought was only possible in movies. I was ready to sacrifice everything that I once cherished just to be with this other person.
Michael In December of 2012, I received an unexpected phone call that informed me of Melinda’s infidelity. At that moment, I had no idea what the future held for us, but I vividly remember just a few hours later, hugging Melinda, telling her that I was choosing to forgive her, and explaining that I would never leave her – regardless of the choices she had made.
Fast forward six grueling months of trying to reconcile our marriage in worldly ways – with no success at all – to where Melinda pushed for separation in June of 2013. Around that same time, in response to her choice to separate, I filed for divorce because I knew that, with the separation, Melinda was returning to the affair.
In stepped God. A couple weeks later, one of my best friends from high school (a Watermark member) reached out to ask why I missed our 20th high school reunion. I explained our situation to him and his response was loving and non-judgmental. That night, he entered into my pain. He came alongside me and began leading me to God’s Word and to a personal relationship with Jesus.
I will never forget, the morning after I shared my story with him, he shared Jeremiah 29:11-13 with me – these verses have become what I consider my life verses:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
That scripture gave me a restored hope. Days later, I terminated the divorce proceedings, and decided to never stop fighting for my marriage. From that point on, I began seeking God with all of my heart, and I surrendered my life to the Lord. God was changing me from the inside out. He opened my eyes to my own form of infidelity in our marriage through my prioritized focus on money and career instead of building a Christ-centered marriage with Melinda. Recognizing and confessing my own contributions to the downfall of our marriage, I would start each day by asking God to help me forgive Melinda for the choices she was making. This daily practice allowed God to fill me with His strength to endure and His strength to continue loving Melinda during the separation.
Desperate to find encouragement through stories of restored marriages, I stumbled across a re|engage story online. I listened to the story of a marriage that overcame similar issues to what we had been dealing with, and this generated additional hope within me. If God could restore that marriage, why couldn’t He restore ours?
Then, in October of 2013, since Melinda was still “not ready” to divorce, but had no interest in coming home, I asked her to attend an Affair Recovery weekend. Surprisingly, she agreed to attend.
Melinda Even though I entered the Recovery weekend convinced that nothing could change my mind about the relationship with my affair partner, my eyes were opened to a brokenness within me that needed healing. I agreed to join a 17 week course that was comprised of 6 other unfaithful women and a mentor. I did not have a relationship with Jesus going into this group. To my surprise the course curriculum had its foundation in the fact that Jesus is sufficient; He validates, He loves unconditionally. This group was a safe place to share my struggles without fear of judgment. I asked questions and I explored God’s truth beyond the assignments. I began listening to Watermark’s online sermons because of the influence of Michael’s friend who was shepherding him. We even made it to a Watermark service in February 2014 when we came into town to meet our newborn nephew…mind you, we were still separated and in the middle of our mess. During that visit, Michael was gripped by a conviction that we needed to move to Texas to be a part of Watermark, but I gently reminded him that was not going to happen given our circumstances. Sensitive to Michael’s desire to be involved in the church, I suggested we visit the “really big church” in our community in hopes that it might have some similarities to Watermark. We attended Cherry Hills Community Church the following Sunday and returned weekly, even plugging in to family-focused community. God’s Words penetrated my hard heart every week; God’s people came alongside us through Community; and God’s Spirit awakened within me through Worship and Christian music. I was growing closer to God, but I was still entrenched in the affair.
Michael In April of 2014, I was baptized. I was a new man with new priorities. I was committed to live my life for God, to abide in Him, and, therefore, to continue loving my wife the way Christ loves his church even though Melinda was actively involved in an affair.
In August of 2014, our marriage again seemed to have reached an end when Melinda decided it was time for her to finally file for divorce. This resulted in us spending the better part of that month going through several mediation sessions. I wanted no part of this divorce, but found myself in the process of splitting up assets, putting together holiday schedules to share the kids, etc. Our final mediation session ended on September 4, 2014, and our divorce was slated to be official about 60 days later.
Melinda In the latter part of our separation, I occasionally day-dreamed about what a God-honoring marriage with Michael might be like, but fear and lies crushed those dreams. My new found desire to seek Jesus brought on overwhelming regret for where I found myself with each passing mediation session. I heard from God after our final mediation session. He said to me, “Is THIS the purpose for which I created you, Melinda? To abandon your children and your marriage? To seek your selfish, fleshly desires? I have greater plans for you.” I knew that I no longer wanted to feed my flesh, but I feared my inability to end the affair. In a moment, I decided to trust God for the strength I would need to surrender this fleshly desire once and for all. I held on to the hope in Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Michael When I made it into work that next morning, I had an email waiting from Melinda telling me that she was ready to put an end to all the madness. Some of her exact words from that email were: “I know it will take everything in us, with all of God’s grace and help, but I want to do it. I want to piece our family back together.” The very next day, after a 15-month separation, Melinda moved back home, and these past 8 years have been nothing short of miraculous...ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Melinda When I called out to God, “Lord I Need You!”, He responded powerfully. I look back on my transition back home and see so clearly that God split the seas so I could walk right through them. Michael’s sacrificial and unconditional love for me during our separation was not only a tangible portrait of Jesus’ love for me here on earth, but it has also allowed our daughters to witness true forgiveness and reconciliation.
I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior just one month after moving home, EXACTLY 8 YRS AGO TODAY - and was also baptized. All the striving for perfection through my life had finally been achieved through an act of faith – accepting God’s free gift of grace through Christ Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24 states, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
My weaknesses are PRIDE, PERFECTIONISM, CONTROL, and THE DESIRE TO BE VALIDATED BY OTHERS. I am not good enough, but Jesus is! I can walk in the light without shame or guilt from my past because I’ve been washed clean by the blood of Christ. My identity is in Jesus. It is in Him that I find freedom from my brokenness. I know that I can cope with anything that comes my way because I have Jesus!
Without intentionality I am prone to sin, so I cling to God’s Word daily, seeking wisdom in His Word. I carefully choose the things I allow to have an influence over me. As Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Michael We remember how alone we felt during our most challenging times. It felt like we were on an island where no one could relate to our struggles, and that was a really tough time. I would have given anything for a place to work through struggles within a safe community, but, unfortunately, re|engage was not an available resource in Colorado then. God did a mighty work in our hearts and planted a passion for helping others who might be afflicted with infidelity in their marriages. Would you believe that God called the two of us to launch re|engage at our church in Denver?
Melinda and I each had to surrender our lives to Christ to experience freedom from the chains that bound us individually, before our marriage could have a chance to thrive as God designed. We selfishly used to put money, alcohol, parenting, and hobbies in place of God and our marriage.
re|engage has helped each of us to live with God as the first and most important priority. Investing in, being intentional, and pursuing oneness within our marriage is the second priority. Parenting our two beautiful daughters that God has entrusted to us in this life falls next in line. The Lord has changed (Family Photo) our family’s eternity through our storm, and we praise Him for His redemptive work in our lives.
Melinda We served the Lord faithfully through re|engage for 5 years in Colorado, even helping other churches in the area launch re|engage because word had spread in the community about the power of transformation within the ministry. At the beginning of 2020, however, Michael and I both heard a new call on our lives…a call to abandon Michael’s lucrative career in oil and gas to follow God where He would lead us. In God’s goodness, He led us straight to Watermark through an invitation that Michael received to participate as a Fellow in the Institute program that August. We left Colorado in June of 2020, preparing our hearts to patiently trust God for His revelation of the next chapter in our journey. Though we left Colorado thinking full-time marriage ministry was the sure bet, we were surprised when puzzle pieces fit together such that Michael was offered the Director of Finance & HR position here at Watermark. Michael humbly accepted and joined staff in January 2021. We NEVER could’ve scripted this part of the journey…or any of it for that matter! Do you remember that conviction Michael felt back in February 2014? Isaiah 55:8-9 rings true yet again:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Lord continues to reveal new mercies and blessings each and every day as we walk in obedience with Him at the center of our marriage. He has surpassed any dream, hope, or expectation that we ever could have had for our marriage and our lives.
Michael AND THE AMAZING THING IS I am absolutely confident that He can do the same thing in your marriage too. We do not have a perfect marriage. Just because we have completed the 16 lesson re|engage curriculum, just because we serve in the ministry, just because we’ve been made new– doesn’t mean we’re immune to difficulties, struggles, and disappointments. Rather, it’s become a matter of choosing to “struggle in the right direction.” Intentionality is critical for us; otherwise, we easily begin to drift apart. That’s especially true when we forget to put God at the center of our marriage, or when we put our kids, work, ministry, or community at a higher level of priority than one another.
We pray that in sharing our story with you tonight, you will be filled with awe and hope because God is bigger than any mess we can make in our marriages. We know the intensity of pain from disappointments in your relationship can feel unbearable. Refuse to buy into the lie that you can escape your pain through divorce. Healing the marriage will take less time than dealing with the lifelong fall out from divorce. Keep coming back each Wednesday night to be reminded that marriage is worth fighting for, and that you’re not alone in the battle. God is with you, He is for each of you, and He longs for you to choose Him and His ways. Rise up and run to Him. A thriving marriage is possible when you surrender it all into His mighty hands.
This series contains teachings and testimonies of God's transforming power in marriages at re|engage. re|engage is designed specifically to address needs in marriage by helping couples move towards oneness in their marriage through stories of grace, teaching and small groups. Whether your marriage needs to be reignited, or is in need of a complete resurrection, re|engage is a safe place for couples to reconnect. It is a 16-week experience which includes a time of praise and worship, a teaching or a testimony by a couple who has experienced victory in the midst of hard times, and small group time which follows a specified curriculum. We meet every Wednesday night, 6:30-8:15 p.m. in The Loft (7540 LBJ Freeway @ Park Central, Dallas). Childcare is provided and registration is not required.
Re|engage is a weekly ministry for married couples to find help, learn, and grow in their marriage through a small-group setting.