1 + 1 = 1 CONFERENCE
YOUR Calling in Marriage w/ Sue and Merle Shank
ABOUT:
Marriage is the God-given and God-ordained union of one man and one woman. It is two different people coming together for a unified calling as one. Join us for a weekend of Holy Spirit filled teaching on strengthening and also preparing for marriage.
Registration (REQUIRED):
Early Bird (ends Jan 19): $30/person
Regular: $50/person (deadline Feb. 11)
Child care: $80/child (deadline to register for child care Feb. 4)
SCHEDULE
Friday Feb 16
7-9pm Session 1
Saturday Feb 17
9:30am-11:30am Session 2
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch (provided on site with each Registration)
12:30pm-2:30pm Session 3
Sunday Feb 18
10:30am Worship Service (open to all)
SPEAKERS
Merle & Sue Shank just celebrated 35 years of marriage in September 2023! Having met while students at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA), they didn’t actually start dating until a month after their December graduations. Their “on & off dating” (the “off’s” were always Sue’s doing - but that’s a story for another time!) continued for 3 years before getting engaged in April 1988 and married in September of that same year. Merle worked as a software engineer for almost 13 years before being called into ministry with Grace Covenant Church. Sue stayed at home full-time while raising their 4 children. During those busy years, they served together as small group leaders and premarital counselors. Sue also led worship and mentored younger women in the church; while Merle pastored and served on various community non-profit boards.
In September 2022, at the Lord’s direction, Merle handed over the primary leadership of Grace Covenant Church to one of the (younger) associate pastors on staff. It was time to hand over leadership to the next generation and the Lord told Merle & Sue that there was a “next” for them; they wouldn’t be retiring. And He was right! In August 2023, Merle began a 1-year interim position as Executive Pastor for a church in our One Focus Network that is located in Virginia Beach. He currently works on site for 3 days/week and is home the other 4. Sue’s passion for mentoring continues and she spends most of her days in coffee shops and lunch spots in Harrisonburg meeting with women. They both love how the Lord is using them in this new “next” season of life!
Merle & Sue have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughter-in-laws, 1 son-in-law and one grandchild.