Take the Date Night Challenge

Research shows that dating at least once a month significantly improves relationships. The Date Night Challenge is a two-hour event featuring comedian Jeff Allen, singer/songwriter Michael O'Brien and bestselling authors Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley via webcast. During the event, the Smalleys will explain the power of dating your mate and encourage couples to take the "Date Night Challenge": go on three dates in three weeks. This is part of a national "date night movement" where the goal is for 5 million dates to take place across the country during the month of February.

This event is the first date of the challenge! The prerecorded event will take place in the Ministry Center gym at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. Tickets are $10 per couple and are available in the church lobby each Sunday through Feb. 5. The cost includes admission, dessert and beverage.

As part of the evening, you will receive information from Focus on the Family with ideas for your next two dates of the challenge. Then, each month for the next year, couples can download a new, free date night guide that provides content and ideas for their dates.

For more information about the event, go to Focus on the Family website.

Meet the Speakers

Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley deliver insightful teachings for marriages and families. The Smalleys desire to help people grow in the knowledge and skills needed to build healthy marriages where both spouses become conformed to the image of the Lord. Erin also is passionate about helping women in marriage, parenting and everyday issues.

Jeff Allen is the best at what he does — making people laugh as hard as humanly possible. His Happy Wife, Happy Life message of a marriage gone wrong and redeemed has given laughter and encouragement to millions of people. Jeff's comedy drives home the humor in everyday family life and the joy derived from a healthy marriage.

Michael O'Brien is probably best known for his seven years as lead singer of the Christian band Newsong, but he has been in the music ministry for some 20 years. Through his music, Michael shares how God restored and healed his marriage, and encourages couples that have been contemplating divorce (like he and his wife were at one point).

The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez is the president of The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (also known as the Hispanic Evangelical Association). Rodriguez became an Assemblies of God ordained minister at the age of 23. In September, 2010, he was called to start a multi-ethnic church in Sacramento, CA. Rodriguez and his wife, Eva, have been married for 21 years, have 3 adult children and reside in California.