In line with the on-going relationship series taught at church, City Harvest Church played host to Dr. Kevin Dyson, president of New Covenant International, over the weekend of 21 and 22 February 2009. Deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, conducted a question and answer session with Dr. Dyson in lieu of a sermon, to unlock the secrets behind his successful marriage to Joy his wife. They’ve been married for a remarkable 47 years.
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| PHOTOS: Michael Chan |
Tan posed Dr. Dyson questions sent in from members of the City Harvest congregation, covering difficult marriage-related issues such as adultery and divorce. Throughout the one-hour interview, Dr. Dyson gave powerful anecdotes from his personal marriage life to illustrate his points. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of hard work when it comes to marriage: one must “nourish and cherish one’s spouse,” and not take happiness in a marriage for granted.
Dr. Dyson revealed that in the early days of his marriage, he was putting so much time into ministry that he neglected his relationship with his family. As a result, his wife, Joy, took the children and left home. Dr. Dyson was faced with the fact that he had to resign from ministry to rebuild his marriage and family relations. The process took him more than five years.
Following what Kong Hee had shared in the first two installments of the relationship series, Dr. Dyson stressed that God has wired men and women to have diametrically different needs. The key to building and sustaining a beautiful marriage relationship is open and honest communication. Men, in particular, emphasized Dr. Dyson, ought to honor their spouse as the weaker vessel, and regard her spiritual growth and maturity as his utmost priority.
Dr. Dyson’s words of advice were not limited only to wedded couples. To singles, he gave invaluable points to heed in their search for the ideal spouse. The most important element is that both parties in the relationship have to accept God’s Word as authority in their lives. Following that, couples must possess a spiritual affinity and vision, of what they want to do for God’s Kingdom. Lastly, both should share some form of mutual interests, something that would go towards strengthening their relationship.
Watch for the complete relationship series, available soon on DVD!
