As I look back on the meaningful moments of ministry, my heart is just bursting with thankfulness. It’s such a wonderful gift to share the journey of faith alongside this amazing man.

During one service, I noticed a young woman I’d never seen before. She sat quietly towards the back, and I could see the weight of pain and despair on her face. I began teaching from Ephesians 5, and isn’t it incredible how God orchestrated everything, ensuring she was there that night to hear exactly what she needed.

Let me share her story, for it beautifully highlights the transformative power of God’s love. After the teaching, she approached the altar with tears streaming down her face. Through her sobs, she shared her struggles in her marriage. She explained that things hadn’t always been this way, but when her husband lost his job, the weight of financial stress became unbearable. It overwhelmed him, pushing him into despair, causing resentment to creep in, even leading him to doubt God and the very scriptures he once held dear. She felt utterly defeated and exhausted, yet deep within, she yearned for God’s help—just like she had as a young girl—because she understood that only His healing love could restore her peace.

As she knelt there, her heart lifted in prayer, she whispered, “I’ve stood by him through it all, but my hope feels lost. Tonight, I felt the truth and His love. I know God wants to renew my mind and heal my heart.” In that sacred moment, I could see the beauty of God’s grace washing over her life.

Another service came, and this time her husband decided to join her. As he sat beside her, I could sense a storm of emotions beneath the surface—confusion, frustration, perhaps even fear. After the service, he approached me, his voice tinged with disbelief as he exclaimed, “She’s been brainwashed!” I smiled softly, remembering the first time she stepped through those doors, searching for hope. Funny enough, I was teaching from Ephesians 5:26 that night, which speaks about being renewed by the washing of the Word.

So, when he said “brainwashed,” my heart leaped with joy at how fresh her mind had become, free from the lies that once clouded her thoughts. I gently replied, “You’re right—she has been touched by something truly powerful: God’s Word washing away years of hurt and doubt.” There’s a beautiful cleansing that happens when we embrace the truth of Scripture. I shared verses with him—not in a preaching manner, but to gently guide him toward the light.

I then pointed him to the following lines in Ephesians & 1 Peter, highlighting the scriptures for “husbands,’ the very chapter that had softened his wife’s heart the night before.

Ephesians 5:25-31

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[a] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

1 Peter 3:7

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

As he left that evening, I glimpsed a flicker of hope—perhaps curiosity or a desire for understanding—and I silently prayed that this moment would draw him closer to the truth and the loving kindness of God.

Sometimes, each story in our ministry concludes beautifully, but at other times, we may never see the full impact. Some people come into our lives only fleetingly.

That particular night inspired me to begin a series of teachings on Ephesians 5, so that both husbands and wives could hear God’s Word together—united in faith, hope, and love.