Crown Ministries

I want to tell everyone about a dynamic financial ministry that Martin and I were a part of a few years ago. When we got married (8 years ago), we had a considerable amount of personal debt that we brought into our marriage. Not only did we each have over $30k in school loans, but we both had credit card debt, which combined equaled more than $10,000. Our marriage counselors (more than one) actually encouraged us to pay off our debt before we got married because it seemed so insurmountable. Instead, we got married and decided to make it our first priority to work as hard as we could to get out of debt together.

First we had to re-train our thinking. We had both grown up without money, so credit cards, to us, were how we survived in college. We didn't have parents who sent us money every month; we both basically put ourselves through school and took out large loans to do so. So, we had to agree that we had used credit cards too liberally and needed to cut them up and trust God to provide for our needs. We would pay cash (or debit), or do without. We also had to put all of our money towards getting rid of our debt, which meant no new furniture for awhile, and no new - well, anything at all.

Thankfully God intervened and some friends of ours began a Bible study through Crown Ministries. We learned how to handle our money, we memorized Scriptures together, and walked with about 8 other couples through the process of all getting rid of our debt together. Within 2 years, we had paid off our credit card debt of over $10,000 - and Martin didn't even have a regular job (he was temping at the time). AMAZING. I still tell people that story today to encourage them and let them know that they can do it too.

To find a Crown seminar or study near you, all you have to do is go to this website and find one in your area. http://www.crown.org/ (Go to the left side under "Find an Event") Their workshops and seminars will change your life. They even have FREE financial counselors that will meet with you to help you get out of debt.

We have stayed virtually debt free now our entire marriage. We currently have no credit card debt, our cars are paid off, and the only debt we still currently carry are our student loans, which are going down every month. As the old saying goes, "If we can do it, you can do it."

Don't wait - Do it TODAY!!!