2025 SportsLife Marriage Conference
by LISH ANDRES
Whether you’re a coach, parent, or board member, a healthy family life is vital for a thriving sports ministry. That’s why Mark and Nicole Ellis, SportsLife staff members, are passionate about creating spaces to invest in marriages. This past January, their team helped run the marriage conference in partnership with Hope Alive Church in Kansas.
“This marriage conference came out of an overflow of our heart to reach God’s people,” says Mark. “Healthy marriages are an integral part of a leader’s ability to operate both on a personal and professional level. My wife and I know how powerful it is when people can gather to worship and hear wisdom from the Lord. We saw a lot of that during the two days of the conference, and it was a joy to witness.”
The event took place on a Friday evening and all-day Saturday, with sessions and break-out conversations scheduled throughout the conference. With over 50 couples attending, the SportsLife and Hope Alive teams also built additional time for attendees to fellowship over snacks and refreshments. Speakers included Jon and Kathyrn Gordon (authors of Relationship Grit) and Pastor Larry Brey (Associate Pastor at Elevation Church, North Carolina).
“For me, the highlight of this conference was watching individuals elevate their marriages in tangible Holy Spirit moments,” says Mark. “Couples who had never prayed together were going before the Lord hand in hand. People were having conversations on a much deeper level. I saw tears, and many lives changed.”
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us.”
— Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
A conference attendee who was impacted by the event remarked, “This conference has encouraged, refreshed, and spoken life into my marriage. It has been a place where my wife and I have experienced real fellowship and community. Attending this conference was an investment we will continue to make in knowing, loving, and growing in God together. We encourage all who are married or desire to be married to attend.”
As SportsLife continues to support and transform the lives of leaders in sports, Mark and Nicole look forward to creating this annual marriage conference to spread the ministry’s mission. They’re most excited to see leaders in the wrestling community have peace in their families that comes from the love of Jesus Christ.
“Our ministry strives to make a positive impact in the world of sports leaders,” says Mark. “There is a tremendous freedom that comes into someone’s life when the Lord is invited to change a marriage and family. It’s out of that freedom that leaders can live for Jesus and make an impact in their area of influence where God has placed them.”
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