“Marriage Is Not to Make You Happy—It’s to Make You Holy,” Say Relationship Experts https://jmunion.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Drs-Willie-and-Elaine-Oliver.png - Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

“Marriage Is Not to Make You Happy—It’s to Make You Holy,” Say Relationship Experts

Drs. Willie and Elaine Oliver, director and associate director of Family Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, delivered a keynote presentation emphasizing that the primary purpose of marriage is spiritual growth rather than personal happiness. “Marriage is to reflect the image of God,” they stated, urging couples to focus on giving rather than receiving.

Approximately 600 married couples gathered at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mt. Salem on Sabbath, May 31, 2025, for the National Couples’ Convention. The event, part of the “Bone of My Bones” weekend program—a collaboration between the Jamaica Union Conference and the West Jamaica Conference—aimed to strengthen and enrich marriages and families.

Drs. Willie (left) and Elaine Oliver deliver a presentation titled “Becoming Intimate Allies” during the Bone of My Bones National Couples’ Convention at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Sabbath, May 31, 2025. [Photo by Brendon Coleman]

Seated from left: Drs. Willie and Elaine Oliver, Director and Associate Director of Family Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church; Keisha Dennisur-Dennis, spouse of Dr. Roy Dennis, Family Ministries Director of the Jamaica Union Conference. Standing behind them are the Family Ministries Directors from the 5 conferences across Jamaica, along with their spouses. The photo was taken at the Bone of My Bones National Couples’ Convention, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Sabbath, May 31, 2025.

“Marriage is to reflect the image of God,” they stated, urging couples to focus on giving rather than receiving.

They further encouraged perseverance in marital relationships:

“Marriage is the work of the after years. So stay the course—pray, work. Do the things God is asking you to do, so your marriage will be like the fine arts.”

Dr. Roy Dennis (left), Family Ministries Director of the Jamaica Union Conference, and his wife, Keisha Dennis-Dennis, share a photo moment with Drs. Willie and Elaine Oliver, Family Ministries Director and Associate Director of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, along with Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, and his wife, Lana Brown. The photo was taken during the Bone of My Bones National Couples’ Convention, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Sabbath, May 31, 2025.

Among the attendees were Cecil and Pernel Johnson, married for 55 years, who expressed joy in participating and shared insights gained from the presentations.

“No matter how you feel, never leave the house without praying together. Call your spouse’s name in prayer—it makes a difference,” said Pernel.

Dr. Roy Dennis (left), Director of Family Ministries for the Jamaica Union Conference, stands with his spouse, Keisha Dennisur-Dennis, as he brings greetings and presents an overview of the Bone of My Bones National Convention, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay on Sabbath, May 31, 2025. [Photo by Brendon Coleman]

Dr. Roy Dennis, director of Family Ministries for the Jamaica Union Conference, articulated the broader goal of the convention:

“The purpose of this Couples Retreat and Convention is to strengthen and enrich marriages and families, and to make a bold statement to Jamaica and the world that God is still in the business of strengthening marriages and keeping families together.”

The weekend featured a couple’s recommitment ceremony, a spirit-filled couples’ communion service, and various workshops designed to deepen spiritual commitment within marriages.