By Elaine Young

2011 was a great year for Relationship Central nationwide!

A highlight of the fall (October) was the arrival of Nicky and Sila Lee from England—their third visit since 2004 when they launched The Marriage Course during a Cross Canada Tour. This time Marriage shared the focus with Lees’ newest family resource: The Parenting Children Course and The Parenting Teenagers Course. Over 200 conference attendees in Winnipeg and Toronto were all well equipped and greatly encouraged.

One of the attractive features of these parenting courses (as with The Marriage Course before them) is the candid and open way Nicky and Sila talk about many of the challenges and knotty issues facing parents today. The teaching and wisdom they impart comes directly from their reflection upon their own personal experience, in light of their Christian faith perspective. The insight they bring to the ups and downs of everyday family life situations has appeal and relevance to Christian and non-churchgoing families alike. That is what excites me – a Church poised to minister to those beyond the church walls!!

The Parenting Teenagers Course is especially dear to my heart as our daughter, Emma and I are featured in many of the interviews!

The Lees are lifelong friends of Nicky Gumbel, and minister alongside him at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London, heading up Relationship Central in Great Britain and around the world. They are the authors of The Marriage and The Marriage Preparation Courses, which have been attended by thousands of couples worldwide. Here in Canada our running total is just under a thousand courses.

An unexpected promotional opportunity came our way while we were in Ontario. 100 Huntley Street got wind of the Lees’ visit and invited them for an interview (to be aired in 2012). It went really well! And here we all are: Nicky & Sila Lee (sitting on couch), with show host, Moira Brown (left), Canada’s Director of Relationship Central (me), and Tishy Allen, UK Manager of Relationship Central (right).