Final Question of the Week

Happy Friday ETH Friends! I think some of you were sending your sweet little ones to school this week so I hope and pray that send off went well!

As you may have heard, my sweet parents Dennis and Barbara, announced last week that David and Meg Robbins will be taking over the leadership of FamilyLife in December. This transition has been in the works for 2+ years and I am excited about David and Meg as I spent more time with them last week but to be honest, I have also felt some sadness as I am anticipating an incredible end to what has been a beautifully long chapter for my parents.

My parents have faithfully served the people and ministry of FamilyLife for over 41 years. This kind of commitment is almost unheard of today (who stays in one role for over 40 years? amazing.) and they have sacrificed MUCH over all of those years. They’ve said no to a lot of things, fought for their marriage, for our family, and have always sought the Lord through every decision they’ve made. They are what they preach and what you see is who they are at home, when no one is watching.

Their faith and walk with the Lord has deepened through many struggles, joys, trials and unknowns as they practiced full dependence and trust in the Lord. I could write a book about my parents and all that they’ve done but since I am getting teary thinking about how grateful I am for them, and last week started the beginning of “the end” for them at FamilyLife, I’ve decided to call an audible on the last question of the week. This isn’t one that you would find in the Untie Your Story Questions tin, but is one that I would love for people to answer as a small “thank you”  for my parents.

SO, the question is: How has the faithful leadership of Dennis & Barbara Rainey at FamilyLife encouraged you in your faith, family or marriage?

I can’t wait to read your responses. My heart was so proud reading some comments from Facebook last week so if you know someone who has been encouraged through FamilyLife and they don’t follow our blog, please encourage them to pop over here and share with us! I would love for these responses to pour in and send them to my parents to read over the next several weeks and months.

Thank you, friends!
Love,
Laura

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30 thoughts on “Final Question of the Week”

  1. Good morning Dennis, Barbara, family, Bob L., Bob’s family, staff and volunteers,

    It has been a pleasure listening to you on the radio, learning about your family members, and taking part in the Weekend to Remember events. This year we purchased all of the Adorenaments and I am still enjoying them while they adore our Christmas tree and by reading the accompanying booklets. What loveliness!! It just may be possible that they were be on our tree from this point forward as they help us focus on the true meaning of our Savior’s birth. Thank you so much for being there and here for us all these years. We want to listen to you as hosts as long as God keeps you in that position. Because of Whom we serve, I know that our Triune Lord has other Godly plans for you in 2018 and beyond. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!! Josephine

  2. I haven’t been on this blog for too long but your stories, teachings ang life lessons have made a great impact on how I live as a wife and mother. I discipline myself to apply most of the things I read and I see the changes in me and my entire family.

    Thank you for being a blessing to me and other countless people, even without physically meeting us. God bless you both abundantly and increase you in wisdom for the task He has set apart for you in the future.

  3. Wow! Your retirement will be a tremendous loss, yet we know you will have selected and trained your replacements well~what a blessing that will be for everyone.
    Well done good and faithful servants of God–in a myriad of incredible ways you have woven yourselves into the fabric of our lives. You will continue to be in our prayers. As a therapist I have often used your choices of scripture verses as jumping off points for reflection and have sent many couples on Weekends To Remember. Blessings, Nancy

  4. Getting ready to celebrate 14 years of marriage on August 30. Our first experience with family life today was attending a marriage conference when we were engaged. It was a great addition to the premarital counseling we were already doing. We have also benefitted from your devotionals and date night publications. We are so grateful for you and your ministry. Well done good and faithful servants!!

  5. I have been listening to Familylife Today for many years and have treasured the information that I have gotten. I have laughed and cried with Dennis and Bob. Our family has enjoyed reading Barbara’s books – especially the one about the Thanksgiving story. Thankful also for the Company French Toast – we make it every Thanksgiving for breakfast!

  6. Dear Dennis and Barbara,

    My husband and I just found out about your ministry earlier this year when we attended one of your marriage conferences. We have had counseling from two of our 4 pastors on staff and a counselor on our church staff, and none of them were able to help us like you have. May God bless your retirement years. We are truly grateful for all that you have done for others and the sacrifice you made for all of us.

  7. I have been a faithful listener and follower of Family Life for many years. Dennis and Barbara I would like to thank you for your many years of commitment to the ministry of helping to build and maintain the family structure that GOD designed it to be. You and the Family Life Ministry has been truly instrumental in helping to save the marriages and renewing commitments to thousands of families. I truly believe that if most married couples young and old would take the time to following and adhere to the basic principles that your ministry provides that the rate of divorces in this country would be less than 5% versus the almost 50%!! If only I could have gotten my wife to become more interested in your ministry over 10 years ago, I truly believe that our marriage of 36 years could have been saved. The secular view of the family structure today even in the Christian community has a tendency to overshadow the traditional view of marriage. Even as devout Christians there was less importance put on long term commitment and more on “irreconcilable differences”. My mother and father had a marriage based less on love and more on commitment and as a result lasted for 66 years until my mother went to be with the Lord. You and Barbara have truly been and inspiration to thousands with your long term commitment to one another. GOD has truly used your family as a Blessing to so many. My Prayer is that You and Barbara and the Family Life Ministry will continue to be a Beacon in this world for the traditional family values. Lloyd

  8. I am a military wife and had lots of challenges with my marriage and raising my children almost as a single mother. I have learned so much from the Rainey!!! They show love for each other, and love for others that show to all of us. My husband and I went to Weekend to remember that was life changing. Now oour son is engaged and we are passing this on to the next generation. What I truly love about Barbara is that she always shows respect for women and I feel like through her words women see that they deserve respect. It is so important. Christian women need to hear that. Thank you so very much for your leadership, your dedication and to the love that you share to so many. May God bless you in a that you do.

  9. I always considered them experts in marriage, parenting, and family life. My thoughts were: “if Dennis and Barbara Rainey said it, then it must be bible-based, true, and sound.” I appreciate their leadership, their writings, and giving their lives to the important work of fostering the family. What will we do without you? The legacy will live on, I am sure, through your children and those who have been mentored by you. Thank you from the bottom of this momma/grammy’s heart….

  10. Thank you Dennis and Barbara for your dedication and trust in the Lord as you have traveled this journey. I have attended Family Life weekends and have made it a priority to give this gift to each of my four sons & wives as they were married. May God continue to bless you and your families.

  11. Just saw the news about Dennis and Barbara. Such a shock. Yet, so thankful for their heart and ministry. I first came across Family Life in early 2000ish. My husband and I were leading a children’s ministry that came to an end with new staff and many changes. We were lost in knowing where God was leading us next. He lead us to invest in our marriage and as we started that journey. We found Family Life❣ I began listening to the radio broadcast and was filled with Love and passion to pursue this calling. We attended a Weekend to Remember in Estes Park CO. Life changing. I have never been the same since leaving that conference. After having the tools to make my marriage strong and knowing divorce was not an option dispite both our parents past. We shortly became Group Coordinator and the following year, volunteered in the prayer room😳! Again, life changing. It’s one thing to be a spectator and receive the word. It’s another to be behind the scenes and see the real hurts and stories of broken marriages. But what is more; is to see how God moves during these events. Lives transformed before your very eyes. As we pray and seek God’s face in intercession for those marriages he hears and answers. I have also used the tools for raising my family of two children. Most recently passport to identity. Once again life changing. My son who was on a road leading so far from God has surrendered his life to God completely. He listens to the worship CD often and is on fire. Prayer works. Your mothers blogs and the countless resources they provide to bring hope and healing is beyond words. God has used your parents to change the world one home at a time. I praise God for Family Life and continue to tell others about it. We need more ministries like this one. We continue to volunteer whenever we can and Family Life will always be a part of us. Praying the ministry continues in the same vision and purpose to change lives one home at a time. Barbara and Dennis you will never know to the full extent how you have impacted the world. Hope your heads can hold the precious crown 👑 in heaven, because you will have a ton of jewels 💎❣Thank God he lead us to your ministry❣ Much Love and Respect and may God bless your next season as much as he has blessed this one. Marie and Jerry Trujillo Denver,CO

  12. Dear Dennis and Barbara, you have been with us in support as we raised two children who are now young adults who love the Lord and are serving others. You especially helped us when they were teenagers. I listens to the radio program and have used many of your resources. My husband and I have attended the Weekend to Remember Conference and have encouraged others to do so. Thank you so much!!! You’ve made and eternal difference in our family.

  13. Thank you Barbara and Dennis for your faithful dedication to Family Life. We attended our first conference 30 years ago and it changed the trajectory of our new marriage as we learned the purpose of marriage and the importance of the legacy we will leave behind. We also attended the Parenting conference twice and i am thrilled to hear you will be launching the Art of Parenting this year. Because we are so committed to the institution of marriage and doing things God’s way, we have been mentoring engaged couples and helping to enrich couples that are asking for help. We also encourage these couples and friends to attend the Weekend to Remember. It is exciting to see God change marriages and families through your ministry. I love listening to FL Today and I have learned many tips for relationships.Thank you for Fighting the Battle for marriage and family for 50 years. Many blessings as you step away from the captain’s seat!

  14. John and Esther Albertus

    Thank you seems inadequate, but we are eternally grateful for your ministry. From the first time we attended the premarriage conference on the Queen Mary, to our time as City Ministry directors, we use the principles that we learned to this time of our lives. The big one…..you are not my enemy and we have hung onto that principle all these years. We have learned much, tried to encourage others and raised a Godly family with much help from Family Life. Well done! We are privilege to know you! Wishing you God’s blessings in the next chapter of your lives.

  15. Hallo, iam writing all the way from Kenya. I have really benefited from the articles from your parents. I have grown in faith, marriage, family and parenting life. May the lord greatly bless them for their service . Amen. Iam Rose.

  16. Though I am now divorced after a 23 year relationship your stories give hope. How I wish they would have prevailed in my relationship that was. It to be. Your priorities are on point , your balance is an inspiration. I wish more people would listen and more men would be leaders in a godly manner.

  17. Janet/Dan chenoweth

    We are a blended family of 30 years who have been profiting from the Family Life Ministry throughout those years. We have listened faithfully to Family Life Today! We have attended the Weekend to Remember conference, sent out adult children and bought many Family Life books! Thank you for Family Life/ Blended! We facilitate that ministry in our church. God bless you, Barbara and Dennis, in this wonderful new season! We love you!

  18. Karen from Texas

    Equipped. That’s what I feel Family Life has done for me. My kids are now 25 and 22. We did Passport weekends with each of them. My husband gathered a few other dads to work with a group of teen boys on raising modern day knights. As a stay-at-home mom I faithfully listened to the radio broadcasts learning much from the discussions and pointed to challenging Christian resources. I appreciate very much how Dennis and Barbara have led the charge in standing strong for biblical marriage and family. I have been equipped. Now I’m thankful for the ETH ministry being challenged and encouraged by Barbara (and friends). Thank you, thank you for your perseverance and dedication and always pointing us to the Lord. Many blessings on a new chapter for you.

  19. First, I hope your mother will continue to develop her home products for Ever Thine Home. The Christmas Ornaments I bought last year so enhanced my tree and gave a message to my non-Christian sister and brother-in-law when they came over. I sincerely hope these products continue (or that you continue, in your mother’s stead) because they are a form of witnessing.

    Second, I discovered your father’s radio show, Family Life Today, while driving to work. I got so much from listening to him and his guests. I wish he would continue the show! One thing that really surprised me was his absolute rejection of divorce for any reason, even physical abuse. Of course, he recommended a legal separation, with counseling for the abuser, but he did not even see this as a reason to end a marriage. This got me thinking about my own wedding vows, as I was recently married for the third time. It helped me know that I want the kind of marriage your father stood for. I am now with my husband until he dies (or I die first). This is a whole new way of thinking about marriage, and I am very grateful for your father’s stand about this. Please thank him for me.

  20. It’s time…well done. But, as the Lord moves, earlier this Summer, I had a hunch. I asked my husband Andy, “with the culture shifting…we need more conservative Bible believing leaders…who will take Rainey’s place when it’s time for them to pass the torch? ” Now today, I read your news. & Laura, honestly, I am sad. As, I feel like I was just plugging in to your parents ministry.. I am a new(er) follower. (I just discovered Family Life/ETH only two years ago at a “Weekend to Remember” conference.) I walked out of a session & fell in love with all those Christmas Ornaments & laminated prayers cards for husband & children. That was, 2011-Sanibel Island, Fl. It was awesome & we bought out all the gifts… then passed along. I respect your parents more than words can say. From afar, they have challenged me Spiritually in my walk with Christ & that as a Pastor’s wife…to run hard. We’ve never met, but we feel connected. They have richly blessed our lives. (I will especially miss your mom’s blog.) I have priortized my time to only follow your mom’s blog. (& I love her line from ETH!!!) Six years ago, Andy & I church planted, often the winds feel against us. But, all the resources (the radio interviews & your mom’s blog, passport to purity!)from Family Life have helped us greatly. Personally & moreover impacted the lives of our church parishioners- here in St. Augustine, Florida. So, the ministry of Family life lives on in us & so many others. We will carry the torch. Your folks will be greatly missed, never ever forgotten by me (right now, I plan to go print articles out for my pastor’s wife scrap book), & One glorious day we will all meet, after the Shadowlands have passed, & gone home to Glory. God Bless you Laura. (I feel like such a little Family Life Groupie.) Honestly now, Andy & I are just getting started in ministry, but I hope to finish like your folks did. A life lived for Christ. Great wonderful God fearing family- God’s Favor be upon you all. With Love, Kristy

  21. My husband and I attended Weekend to Remember several years ago. For the last couple years I’ve been enjoying Barbara’s blogs. Whenever I get to feeling overconfident in my marriage relationship, she gives me a kick to get back on my toes and be the wife God wants me to be.

  22. My husband and I have been blessed many times over the past twenty years by the Family Life Ministry. The book, Preparing Today’s Adolescent, has been read and pored over as we raised our three kids, now 23, 20, 17. We have recommended the book and given it out several times. The godly wisdom and honesty was wonderful! In addition, we had the privilege of attending a Weekend to Remember conference, which strengthened our commitment to each other. We are married over 25 years, happily. The Family Life Radio program has offered many thought-provoking programs that we as a family have listened to in the car traveling to and fro. You have been a blessing to our family. Thank you. Thank you for your ministry and for living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in your lives.

  23. My daughter and I have been through passport2purity and passport to Identity and she’s grown so much and we’ve grown closer through these special weekends. From listening to her on the CDs my 14 year old and I feel like we know Barbara personally and love her dearly!
    My husband and I have enjoyed weekend to remember so much that we brought my brother and his new wife and it really helped them start on a solid foundation. We bought a weekend for my sister and her husband and they should be attending soon as newlyweds! Your work is so invaluable, Dennis and Barbara. Thank you so much for your faithfulness.

  24. Though I’ve never married and am childless, frequently I’ve listened or read your material and have been encouraged in my walk w/ the Lord. I’ve tried to share with others the wisdom gleaned. Thanks for your logical/common sense(illogical and uncommon in the eyes of the world) responses to the challenges so many of us face. God bless you as you readjust your focus and begin the challenging ‘stepping back’ from your roles in this mission.

  25. Dennis & Barbara,
    You have both been an inspiration to my husband & I. We first experienced Family Life on the first LLYMC. Where we saw first hand the love of Christ in you & for each other. As well as the body of Christ.

    Thank you for serving the Lord through the ministry. Our prayer for you both is that you will still continue to see His hand through every path you take.
    In Christ Jesus
    Love Kim & Tony

  26. Dennis & Barbara Rainey:

    Thank you so much for your faithfulness in serving the Lord. I have enjoyed listening to you each day and your emails. Thanks for helping me along the journey in life. Thanks for speaking the truth. May God continue to bless you in all that you do.

    Melissa

  27. I joined Family Life as our family has been walking through a very difficult struggle. They have pointed me in the direction of Christ at every turn. I love the Lord and I knew the answers are in Him; they have just guided the way to His heart so many times. God bless them both.

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