What People are Saying about HIM’s

Marriage Conferences

Dr. Paul and Dr. Virginia Friesen are the real deal! They speak from not only their own personal and relatable experiences but most importantly, they speak through the powerful lens of Scripture. Their approach is personal, authentic, humorous and lasting. As a pastor, I would welcome them to speak into the marriages of our congregation seven days a week. Truly impactful!

—Tom Joyce, Family Pastor, 2021
Immanuel Bible Church, Springfield, VA

Paul and Virginia Friesen have a relaxed and approachable communication style that allows their audience to engage in challenging topics.  Our church has enjoyed having them share their knowledge on marriage and relationships at camps and events over the last several years.  Paul and Virginia have played a key part in the story of seeing stronger families and marriages at 2|42 over the past several years.  We are grateful for their challenging and Christ-centered messages.

—Pastor from Michigan, 2017

It comes as no surprise to any pastor or married couple that marriage and parenting are facing unprecedented pressures and challenges these days. Because marriages and families are the heart of any thriving church, it is paramount that the church do all she can to encourage and equip people to help families succeed.  

In that regard, I can wholeheartedly endorse the Friesens.  We have had the practice of bringing them in regularly to encourage and equip our church family. Their communication skills, paired with keen insights from the Bible combine to provide a compelling experience for our body. Their books enable their passion for marriages and families to seep deep in the hearts of our people.

Beyond their public ministry, I have had the privilege of witnessing their marriage and parenting up close for many years and can attest, they walk their talk.  Their marriage and parenting convictions are not only God honoring and time tested, they are worth emulating!

         —Pastor Gary Gaddini, Peninsula Covenant Church, Redwood City, CA, 2017

Paul and Virginia are a remarkable ministry couple. I have had the privilege of both attending and working with them on two different marriage retreat weekends, and each time I left encouraged, challenged, and renewed.  As a team, they have a unique way of being able to balance the serious with the light-hearted and the simple with the profound.  Both Paul and Virginia are great communicators whose experience and expertise allow them to speak into every couples’ worlds.  They are not only gifted to serve in this field, but they also have hearts that long to see marriages strengthened and restored. What a privilege it has been to see God do both through them.  

                  —Pastor Christopher Priestaf, Mt. Bethel Church, Mt. Bethel, PA, 2017

My wife and I are the heads of a marriage ministry in our church. We have completed several small groups using different curriculum—last year we used the Marriage App. We found that the Marriage App book and phone app helped to promote closeness with God and our spouse with intentional steps. The participants liked the ease of the app, plus the reminders and next steps of the book. We recommend this book to small groups, couples in crisis, or couples who need a fresh start. Thank you, Paul and Virginia, for your work in writing this book. 

—Peter and Kristen Perez, Crosspointe Church, Yorba Linda CA, 2016

I can not tell you how blessed we were by your presence this weekend. The compliments continue to pour in. . . . Your humor, your transparency, your frankness in addressing the hard questions and the way that you played off of one another was truly outstanding.

—Pastor from Philadelphia, 2007

Thank you so much for asking the Friesens to present on Sunday. They were exceptional as usual. . . . It just doesn't get much better than that. They play off of one another so well, they are so transparent and they incorporate enough humor and stories that it is easy for people to retain what they say. And their messages, it goes without saying, are incredibly sound both Biblically and practically (there's a surprise).

—Couple from Pennsylvania, 2008

We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed and were blessed by the marriage conference . . . We loved the worship, we loved your Saturday night talk! And we came away so full and refreshed and have had such great talks about marriage and family because of how God spoke to us. It was really cool and life changing.

—Couple from Massachusetts, 2006

Wow—what an incredible night! Thank you Paul and Virginia for driving through our season's first nor-easter to inspire and empower more than 40 couples. Your humor, faithfulness, and candidness, we know, made a tremendous impact on those who attended. Many thanks for your ministry and dedication to helping marriages thrive. We are so very grateful for you and many of us will be seeing you in February in Newport—can't wait!

—Couple from Massachusetts, 2018

Thank you all for the weekend at Trinity. My husband and I are in a "good time" but the weekend helped me reflect back on some mistakes and times that I could do better. This weekend was a reminder to me of the special guy that God gave me and as we walk with Him we will walk strong together.

Thank you for the Marriage App, also. Day 3 helped me think back and remember some times I had tucked away and also gave me some insight into what our next adventure might be. We personally are moving completely on faith to parts unknown but we feel no stress at all as we are together in this—and we know God has a plan for us.

—Couple from Connecticut, 2018

My husband and I attended our first Marriage Retreat this past weekend. It will be the first of many. We absolutely loved it! The knowledge we gained and the people we met made it awesome!

—Couple from Massachusetts, 2017

Paul and Virginia show us how to invite Jesus into our marriage when it was at its lowest point in 35 years.  We are forever grateful!

—Couple from Massachusetts, 2017

Thank you for all the sacrifices you made this year to be there for us. Being with you both each week helped our marriage greatly during a season of life that had many difficult times. We both left couples study each week feeling lighthearted and ready to communicate about whatever we struggled with that week or also what we appreciated in each other. We know you both have invested in our marriage which has and will continue to help us in the days, months, and years to come! 

—Couple from Massachusetts, 2017

Thank you so much for a really fun retreat. We enjoyed the combination of your humor and the depth of your wisdom. We came to the retreat feeling okay with our marriage as we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel after a very dark almost 6 years. This retreat couldn't have been at a more perfect time for us. 

When you showed the Derek Redmond video, my husband and I starting tearing up because that moment in that video hit us . . . that's where we are at. We have decided to stay in the race and make it to the end even though we aren't going to win the award we had hoped for.

Thank you so much for your ministry!
Oh, and your books are great too!  :)

—Couple from California, 2016

My husband and I just came home from the Marriage Retreat. We flew from Virginia to Rhode Island, and it was worth every expense. It was one of the best times we have had as a couple. Paul & Virginia are wonderful speakers, and they gave us a lot to think about to improve our marriage.

—Couple from Virginia, 2016

I was at Mission Hills this weekend and I just wanted to compliment you both on your message. You nailed the delivery, of course.  However it was the first time in a long time that I actually attended a sermon that was relevant to me. I don’t suffer from any of the problems that are almost always the subject of sermons. I’m not an alcoholic. I’m not depressed. We don’t have immediate problems with finances.  No one in my family is ill. We are life-long Christians without a “compelling” testimony. Really, we only suffer from the daily setbacks, disappointments, and just general challenges of living, for which I am eternally thankful.  I have attended a gazillion Easter, Christmas, and other holiday sermons that are all pretty much the same. Your sermon, however, on raising kids was great.  We have 3 little ones and everything you said I agree with.  I plan on finding the sermon and watching it again. 

I am also very thankful for your simple to read and understand "The Marriage APP". Men like me are a little blocked when it comes to emotions/feelings (or at least the right feelings) and your book puts it in plain English that I can understand and apply. 

—Husband and parent from Colorado, 2015

Thank you, Paul and Virginia, for a wonderful life-changing marriage conference. As I shared with you, I've never been to a marriage conference that takes the Biblical, temperament, and biological differences and make them very, very relevant to marriage.

—Couple from Maryland, 2015

The marriage retreat was amazing! My husband and I have vowed to make it our goal to go once a year. Paul and Virginia are two of the most awesome speakers that we have ever seen. If you are a newlywed or married 50 years, you need to go to one of their marriage retreats. We can not say enough good things about HIM Ministries.

—Couple from Rhode Island, 2015