In May of 2005 several congregations in Clark County in partnership with Families Northwest initiated a Community Roundtable to explore their Community Transformation Planning process.  Over 50 Pastors, Ministry and Business Leaders came together over two sessions to explore how we might co-labor to improve the health and success of marriages, families and relationships.     The body agreed our unified efforts can have a significant impact on the marriage and family culture in Clark County.  A list of desired outcomes was generated during the roundtable and shortly thereafter a task force assembled to begin the planning and strategy development process.

The list of investments generated displayed several fronts where our collective work could lead to a significant impact on our community’s marriage and family culture.  The key operating principles and values we are assembling our efforts around include:   v     Organizing around the primary purpose of changing the marriage culture in Clark County; v     Embracing racial and culturally diverse participation; v     Emphasizing the value of working together in practical ways sharing resources and strengths; v     Elevating community awareness across all denominations and throughout the secular world; v     Expanding participation with larger denominations and involving the business community.

We continue to invite others to join in the genesis of Christian partnership addressing this critical community challenge.  The statistics on divorce in Clark County and its associated social ills wrought on families are staggering.  Divorces in Clark County increased 9.7% between 1990 to 2000—with each divorce leading to economic impacts in our businesses, social discord in our neighborhoods, and psychological damage in our homes and families.  That is what moves us to want to take action.  It tears at the very fabric of our community.   It is an issue bigger than any one congregation, business or community organization could hope to fully address—but we believe together we can stand strong in purpose, with effective programs tapping into God’s unlimited resource.   We ask—if you are a person of faith—to include this work in your prayers.  This is a God-sized endeavor that will depend greatly upon His direction and blessing.  We readily anticipate your involvement and appreciate your support.

“Building Thriving Marriages & Families for a Stronger Community”