WY Marriage Matters
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How did we get here?
Have you ever asked yourself this question? Whether your marriage is nothing like you imagined (and not in a good way) or everything you hoped for and more, there is a reason you are where you are today--intentional or not. This one-day event will use the Word of God to help you retrace your steps to help you understand how you got to where you are and make a plan to go forward in a healthy way.
Why Attend a Marriage Event?
My Marriage is Fine....
Attending a marriage event does NOT automatically indicate there's anything wrong with your marriage, it means you value your marriage and want to protect it! Marriage is an earthly reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church--making it the most important earthly relationship we have. Isn't that worth investing in? Statistically speaking, a healthy marriage has a ripple effect through society, as having a mother and father in a stable home is the greatest predictor of a child's success in life.
My Marriage is Struggling....
Maybe your marriage isn't what you hoped. Maybe you're even feeling hopeless. While we can't promise this event will be a magic cure for your marriage woes, we are confident that spending time together, remembering why you're together, and worshiping the One True God will help draw you closer to each other and fan the flame of your relationship. If you want more support for your marriage at the close of our event, we have many resources we can connect you with as you continue to invest in your relationship.
I Can't Attend the Whole Day
We know life is busy. There's any number of reasons not to attend. Even if you can't attend the whole day, if you need to step out for a bit and come back, we are confident any time you can give to this day will be worth it. Your marriage is worth it.
A Special Note to Upward Coaches:
We are aware this is a game day. If you need to step out to coach your team, we understand! We hope you feel the freedom to coach and come back to our event. If your assistant coach is not planning to attend, consider turning this one game over to them.
Meet Our Speaker
Pastor Max Janzen is an associate pastor at College Heights Baptist Church in Casper, WY who's had his own marriage struggles. Thanks to the saving power of Christ, he's been married over 37 years. Here Max introduces himself:
I was raised in a stable, loving Christian home with a Mom and Dad that loved Jesus and taught us by example and with words all about our loving God. I was baptized at the age of six but I never saw any change in my behavior. I still lied. I still threw fits. I still disobeyed my parents. I stole. I tried hard to be better but I just could not stop sinning. Every Sunday I rededicated my life in church. Every week I undedicated my life at home and school.
Just before the age of eleven, I lay awake in my bed on a Sunday night, wrestling with this problem. I asked God why I could not stop sinning and just do what a Christian was supposed to do. In my heart I heard a very clear answer: "It's because I don't live in you." I went to find my parents and they helped me pray and give my life to the Lord. He changed me that day and has been continuing that change daily since.
My wife Lynne and I have been in Casper and at College Heights since 2016, when we moved from Cheyenne after pastoring a church there for 20 years. We both grew up in Oklahoma and began our marriage in Arizona. Our children are grown and live in Colorado. Lynne runs a small cottage-industry from home as well as working part-time in an eye-care clinic. We both enjoy sports of many kinds and love to laugh and make others laugh at us.
We have grown deeply into Christ and into each other through the many currents that have flowed under our marriage. Our first three years we were desperately dependent on Christ because of extreme difficulties in our relationship, because of beginning ministry together and because of the intense spiritual battlefield around us in a demonic region. We have lived far from family and nearby family. We have grown through illnesses and family deaths. We have been poor and we have been not poor. We have known times of smooth happiness and of harsh aching. We have trusted God as we have watched our children walk apart from Christ. We are currently allowing Him to navigate us through the transgendering of our youngest child, maintaining the integrity of love and of truth. We are more deeply in love with Jesus and with each other than at any other time in our 37+ years of marriage.
I love to help people understand God’s word and I love to show how He speaks clearly from it into all our life situations today. God called me to disciple others in 1977 and I have been investing my life in people ever since. I have been privileged as a shepherd in all portions of ministry, in many positions, in all age groups, in many cultures, both full-time and part-time, here and overseas. God has sent me to Europe, India, Mexico and Africa on short endeavors over the years in the process.

Here at College Heights, I work to further our discipling processes. Sunday school, small home-group Bible studies, teacher training and leadership training are areas of my focus. I write studies and lead studies. I spend a lot of time counseling others one-on-one as well as in family and couple settings. I often tell people that I have the best job in the world: People put bread on my table so that I can help other people walk through life with Jesus.
What's Included
Our day is jam-packed with intentional elements to help you and your spouse connect.
WORSHIP
Worshiping the God who created the universe--and YOU--is powerful alone, and even more powerful when it's with the one you love! Draw close to the King of Kings as our band of talented local musicians lead you in song.
TEACHING
The heart of this event is the teaching. Each session will take you deep into Gospel Truth and help you examine how God's Word applies to your marriage. At the end of each teaching session there will be time for you and your spouse to discuss what you've learned and take action.
LUNCH
A full catered lunch is included in the cost of every ticket purchased. Diets that exclude gluten and dairy will be accommodated.
FUN!
We believe that marriage should be FUN! There will be a variety of options available for you and your spouse to laugh and play together.
RAFFELS & DOOR PRIZES
We are blessed to have local businesses & organizations providing door prizes and giveaways that you won't want to miss! Each prize is geared to helping you draw closer as a couple. Watch our Facebook page to get a taste of what you can expect.
Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for all the latest updates on our event!
Schedule
8:30 am: Doors open
Coffee, tea, pastries & fruit available
9:00 am: Worship & First Session: Examine Your Marriage
10:20 am: Second Session: Chart Your Course
11:20 am: Worship & Third Session: Prepare Your Provisions
12:10 pm: Lunch Break
1:40 pm: Worship & Fourth Session: Load & Go
3:20 pm: Breakout sessions - FUN Time!
4:00 pm: Closing: Worship & Prayer
4:30 pm: Dismiss
*This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change
Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for all the latest updates on our event!
Venue & Accommodations
We will meet in the Industrial Building located at the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo. This popular venue will allow plenty of room for gathering and is easily accessible from any point in town.
Traveling from Out of Town?
NOTE: There is a wrestling tournament in town this same weekend. Please make arrangements for accommodations in advance to ensure your reservation.
Need a place to stay while you're here for this event? We've reserved a block of rooms at the Best Western Plus Inn & Suites. Located off I-25 & Hat Six Road, this hotel is offering single King bed rooms for $95/night. Be sure to mention that you're attending the "Looking Forward" event when booking to receive your discounted rate.
Child Care
Full day of childcare available
We want to eliminate as many obstacles to attendance as possible, so we want to make sure your kids have a safe place to go! Located just 3 minutes from the event location, our friends at Boyd Avenue Baptist Church have a full day of engaging activities for your children. Lunch with gluten- and dairy free options and snacks will also be provided for the children. Be sure to purchase the appropriate tickets for childcare when purchasing event tickets.
Cost Reduction!
Due to generous donors, we are now able to offer childcare for just $5.00/child!
This does not change the quality of care or what is being offered.
Tickets
Tickets Are On Sale Now!
Tickets are limited! If you are planning to attend, be sure to purchase tickets as soon as they go on sale.
What is the Cost?
Event Cost: $40/couple
Child Care Cost: $5/child
We want you to know that it is a high priority for this event to be affordable and accessible to everyone that wants to attend. We are working to partner with as many churches as organizations as possible to keep ticket prices low. Additionally, we are offering scholarships (apply here).
Is your organization interested in financially partnering with Mountain View Baptist Church to ensure this event is a success? Please contact us to discuss what partnership looks like.
Need financial assistance to be able to attend? Apply for a scholarship here.
Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for all the latest updates on our event!
Why Does Marriage Matter?
Marriage is the Building Block of Societey
Scripture tells us that the Church is the bride of Christ, and that out of this the union of a man an woman in Holy Matrimony is a reflection of Christ and the Church. Marriage is the single most important earthly relationship we have, and it's worth fighting for. A healthy marriage leads to a healthy family, which in turn builds up a healthy society and nation.
Marriage is Under Attack
One doesn't have to look far to see that Satan is hard at work tearing marriages apart. Where the Bible clearly defines marriage as one man and one woman, laws are being passed to redefine marriage to mean almost anything man can conceive--and these ideas are championed in our culture. Lest you be tempted to think things are better here in Wyoming:
- The divorce rate in Wyoming is nearly twice that of the national average at 13% (7.6% nationally). This equates to 4 divorces for every 1000 people.
- Wyoming is ranked #3 for highest divorce rate nationally in 2023.
- On average, 20% of marriages are struggling in a given community. In Wyoming, this means nearly 64,000 married individuals are struggling.
We Must Fight Back
When the war is raging, we must not sit idly by; we must fight back! By intentionally investing in and strengthening our we fight back with the TRUTH: that marriage is good, beautiful, and God-ordained. It's not easy, but it's worth the fight!
Partners & Sponsors
We Need You!
We are actively looking for local organizations to partner with us to make this event a success.
PARTNERS:
An event of this magnitude has many moving parts and costs. We are looking to partner with local churches and businesses to financially support this event. If you are interested in discussing this with our team, please use the form below to contact us.
SPONSORS:
We are looking for local businesses and organizations to make donations for door prizes and giveaways. Some ideas we are looking for:
- Date night components: restaurant gift cards, hotel accommodations, child care
- Couple's adventure packages: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking
- Anything to encourage couples to spend time together
If you are interested in making a donation, or have an idea for something we haven't thought of, use the form below to contact us.
WANT TO TELL OTHERS?
If you'd like to tell others about this event or advertise, you can download an 11" x 17" poster or a half-page flyer. No access to a printer? Let us know and we can get you copies!
Contact Us
Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for all the latest updates on our event!
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
