2022 Midwest Marriage Retreat Digital Program Book

SEPTEMBER 30TH - OCTOBER 2ND Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel

The Mystery

OF LOVE PROVERBS 30:19

Welcome to the 2022 Midwest Marriage Retreat Greetings!

We are pleased to be the host of the 31st Midwest Marriage Couples Retreat. The theme is “Unmasking the Mystery of Love.” Christ has a loving, caring relationship with his Church; God intended the same for a husband and his wife.

Together we will explore the love mysteries led by this year’s three dynamic couples. We pray the activities, seminars, and time together will strengthen and renew your marriage bond.

Enjoy the mystery of love with one another. The Michigan Chapter of the MWMR is honored to be your host.

Sincerely, Dexter L. Harney, Michigan Chapter Midwest Marriage Retreat

Friday, September 30, 2022 Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel

Itinerary & Activities 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM……………………………….Conference Registration

Friday Evening Program Master and Mistress of Ceremony: Myron & Nolie Bowles 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM…………………………………………Refreshments

7:30 PM……………………………………………Introduction of Speakers 7:45 PM………………………………………………………….Icebreakers 8:00 PM……………………………Couples’ Password & Cornhole Games 9:30 PM………………………………………………Presentation of Prizes

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Saturday, October 1, 2022 7:00 AM – 8:45 AM………………………………………………………Breakfast, Mackinac Room 9:00 AM…………………………………………………………………..General Session, Grand Ballroom

Master and Mistress of Ceremony: Dante & Rachelle Williams, Redford Songs of Praise………………………………Devin Harney and Jeremy Medlock, Franklin Road Prayers…………………………………………………………………………………Willie Cobb, Wayne Road Welcome……………………………………………………………………….Dexter Harney, Franklin Road

Introduction of Speakers “Challenging ME for a Wonderful WE”………Damon & La Keysha Harney, Linwood An individual approach to breaking barriers together “Impact of Love on the Family System”…Patrick & Au Lisa McGovern, Carpenter, Rd “Next Level Communication”……………………………Dr. Alvin & Cynthia Sims, Liberty City Announcements & Dismissal Prayer

Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:00 AM……………………………………………………Sunday Morning Worship, Grand Ballroom 12:00 PM……………………………………………………………………………..……Hotel Check Out Time

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“Challenging ME for a Wonderful WE” An individual approach to breaking barriers together

Meet Damon & La Keysha Harney, Linwood We are so happy to rejoin you all-in person- as we all continue to enrich and grow in our individual marriages. Our journey together began in 1997, as coworkers who met as friends. From that time, through many shared experiences and challenges, our marriage materialized in 2011. We hold to our matrimony 7 children and 3 grandchildren (and counting).

Damon currently serves as a 19-year Lieutenant with the Waterford Regional Fire Department; Lakeysha has, and continues to, provide customer service, and associate growth for the Home Depot Inc, where she has been employed for over 26 years and served in various management roles.

We currently worship God and serve the community with the Linwood Church of Christ in Detroit Michigan. Our goal this weekend is to share with you, and to learn from you, the beauty, benefit, and challenges of the mystery of this thing called Marriage-given by God for humanity.

Seeing that God created marriage, it MUST be good, even though it may not always seem that way (smile). Let's uncover the mystery of marriage together!

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“Impact of Love on the Family System”

Meet Patrick & Au Lisa McGovern Patrick McGovern, Jr. and Au Lisa W. McGovern began their journey together in a McDonalds in Detroit, Michigan sitting in the children section and sharing a meal. They have grown in love and understanding over the past 30 years. Both Patrick and Au Lisa matriculated from Cass Technical High School and attended Ohio Valley College to complete their baccalaureate education. Patrick obtained a BA in Religious Studies and a BS in Psychology.

Au Lisa obtained a BS in Business Administration. Au Lisa continued her education to obtain her Masters degree in International Administration from Central Michigan University in 2012. Patrick completed his Masters in 2012 for Marital, Child, Family, Couples Counseling along with Substance Abuse Counseling Training from Capella University. Together they began serving God in the ministry of the church at Dorchester church of Christ in Boston, MA. After moving to Parkersburg, WV. The couple served the Rosemar and Latrobe Street congregations, as Patrick fulfilled his mission as Associate Minister. After returning to the Boston area in 1999, the McGovern’s moved to the Worcester area to serve the Worcester congregation. Since 2001, the McGovern Family has been working with the West Carpenter Road congregation in Flint, MI. Patrick and Au Lisa have been blessed with three children from their union (Maeko, Patrick, & Jonathan). In a few short years, they will empty nesters and helping their children reach their goals. The journey has been wonderful and the work in the church challenging, but together, they are willing to continue moving on for the cause of Christ.

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“Next Level Communication”

Meet Dr. Alvin & Cynthia Sims Dr. Alvin Sims is a native Detroiter. He earned his associate degree from Victor Valley Community College in Victorville, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky. Alvin earned a Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan. In April of 2019, Alvin received his Doctorate in Humanities, from United Graduate College and Seminary International.

For the past five years Dr. Sims has facilitated the annual Mind, Body and Soul Women’s Prevention Conference and Retreat in Dearborn Michigan. Dr. Sims has authored two books of poetry From Under the Cover and Separate Realities an audio C.D. There Was Me Before There Was We. His motto is “be blessed and be a blessing” It is his belief in God and his hope in mankind that keeps him motivated to be an agent of change. In June of 2022, Jack & Jill of America, Inc,,,, Motor City Chapter recognized Dr. Sims as “Outstanding Father Award” for his contributions to the city of Detroit and surrounding communities.

Cynthia’s love for children was demonstrated during her successful career (33 years) with Detroit Public Schools Community District in the Exceptional Student Education Department as a Behavior Specialist. Cynthia is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Liberty City. Cynthia has a Master of Social Work Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Cynthia is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. and alumni of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Cynthia’s motto is“to much is given much is required”.

Alvin and his wife Cynthia are the co-facilitators of the “Vow Keepers”, a marriage ministry at Liberty City Church of Christ in Detroit Michigan. They have been married for 29 years. Alvin is the proud father of three children, Alvin Jr., Beliria and Malik. The Sims are blessed with six grandchildren whom all live in Atlanta Georgia.

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Master & Mistress of Ceremony Dr. Alvin & Cynthia Sims