Our Story
Tom & Jo Ellen Black
Creators of The Marriage
Adventure Workshop
Like every marriage journey, ours has been full of hills and valleys, highways and lanes, backwoods paths and rocky roads. We give God all the credit for blessing our marriage in ways we could never have imagined and for protecting us even when we were totally unaware of our need! The Marriage Adventure Workshop is a ministry we are passionate about! For us, you could say it's something we've been working on for 40+ years. Each and every lesson and activity comes from our life experiences. Together, we have combined our skills, talents, education, and ministry gifts to create a one-of-a-kind marriage retreat designed to help husbands and wives (just like us) connect, communicate, commit, and celebrate on a vulnerable and authentic level.
We firmly believe the keys to a great marriage are to:
-
Keep God as the center- no matter what;
-
View your spouse as your very best friend;
-
Recognize growth usually happens in the struggle- embrace it;
-
Never stop working at building a solid relationship; and
-
Always hold on tight to each other- because life and love and marriage is a worthy adventure
BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
Tom, a retired Army Guard Master Sergeant and former police officer, teams up with his wife Jo, a retired educator with more than 30 years of experience in teaching and administration, to bring much background knowledge and experience to their ministry. Both have been actively involved in their church communities, with Tom serving as a lay and pulpit minister, youth leader, and men's group facilitator. Jo, a talented pianist and singer, has led worship ministries, facilitated women’s groups, and has been a guest speaker at numerous women’s conferences throughout Missouri. Together, they have dedicated many years to mentoring couples in their marriage, providing valuable insights and support to those seeking guidance.
Their personal adventures include a variety of adventures such as traveling, camping, boating, and fishing; however, the moments they treasure most are those spent with loved ones. Being in the company of friends and family, especially their four adult children, their wonderful spouses, and their five grandchildren, brings them so much joy!
Tom and Jo invite you to embark on the next Marriage Adventure. They want couples to know that the time and effort invested will be invaluable because the marriage journey is the most worthwhile journey this side of Heaven.
