The XM ChallengeJosias and Vanessa – The XM Challenge https://www.rickbergen.net Help Plant 1,000 Churches Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:01:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 169531157 Josias and Vanessa https://www.rickbergen.net/?p=1231 https://www.rickbergen.net/?p=1231#respond Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:05:30 +0000 Rick Bergen http://www.rickbergen.net/?p=1231 First Josias started coming to our church. Then a girl started coming with him. They are both not from our immediate neighbourhood. Here is how some conversations went. “Who is the new girl?” “Josias’s girlfriend.” “Ohhh (and an opinion).” After several months, Josias and Vanessa started to think seriously about marriage, and Ivanildo and Monica set up regular pre-marital counselling meetings.

Yesterday, at the wedding feast, at about 10:30 at night, I was walking along the food line-up, talking to people, and reflecting on what a beautiful wedding it was. One of the 14 year old girls had a different expression on her face, so I stopped. She said, “One day I am going to get married.” It seemed to me like this was a new thought for her. Many girls in our neighbourhood get pregnant young, and go from their boyfriend’s house, or his mom’s house, and back to their mom’s house when things don’t work out, and many relationships are full of pain and difficulties. The beauty of a community of people supporting a young couple as they make marriage commitments is very profound.

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Vanessa

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“I do!”

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Married!

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The church transformed their front yard for the wedding.

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Huge amounts of food capped off the evening celebration.

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