In the Garden of Eden, God established the first family. After creating Adam, He said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner” (Genesis 2:18). Beginning with a rib from Adam, God formed Eve. Then He told them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Children would enhance their union and ensure the future of the human race.

The over-arching objective of Family Ministries is to strengthen the family as a discipling center. The family was established by divine creation as the fundamental human institution. It is the primary setting in which values are learned and the capacity for close relationships with God and with other human beings is developed. 

Family Ministries is a ministry of grace which acknowledges as normative the biblical teachings relating to the family and holds high God's ideals for family living. At the same time, it brings an understanding of the brokenness experienced by individuals and families in a fallen world. Thus Family Ministries seeks to enable families to stretch toward divine ideals, while at the same time ever extending the good news of God's saving grace and the promise of growth possible through the indwelling Spirit.

Family Ministries focuses on people in relationship. It is concerned with the needs of married couples, parents and children, the family needs of singles and all members of the wider family circle as they pass through life's predictable stages and contend with unexpected changes in their lives. For more family resources browse to the General Conference Family Ministries website.