Building a Safe Marriage, Finding Authentic Community, The Power of Mentorship - w/ Mike & Holly Worley

Show notes

About This Episode Aaron sits down with Mike and Holly Worley, founders of Spark Discipleship, to talk about the mistakes they made early in marriage and what they learned. Married 16 years, the Worleys name three: not committing to the local church, lacking authentic community, and having no older mentors. Holly shares how she told Mike about childhood abuse during a "things you should know" game, and how that trauma intensified after marriage and required years of counseling. Mike learned he couldn't be "Mr. Fix-it" and had to bring Holly to Jesus instead. They teach that mentorship must be pursued, with younger couples seeking older ones in life-on-life relationships rather than formal contracts, and that consumer Christianity misses the call to make disciples.

About Mike & Holly Worley Mike and Holly Worley are the founders of Spark Discipleship, which helps couples build thriving marriages through church commitment, authentic community, and mentorship. High school sweethearts, they have been married 16 years and have three children. Through Spark Discipleship they offer free resources including Five Practices of a Thriving Marriage, the Weekly Huddle Guide, and Investing Spiritually in Your Spouse.

In This Episode Three early-marriage mistakes — skipping church commitment, lacking authentic community, and having no mentors. More than attending — why commitment to the local church means active participation. Friends vs. authentic community — the difference and why it matters. Being a safe spouse — creating space for healing from past trauma. Not Mr. Fix-it — why Mike had to bring Holly to Jesus instead of trying to fix her. Pursuing mentorship — younger couples seeking older ones, life-on-life, not formal contracts. Confess the temptation — "I would rather confess a temptation than confess a mistake." Disciple-making marriages — why consumer Christianity misses the call to make disciples.

Resources from This Episode Spark Discipleship Free resources: Five Practices of a Thriving Marriage, Weekly Huddle Guide, and Investing Spiritually in Your Spouse Shop Marriage After God Full show notes and blog post

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