🎙️ In this powerful episode of The Grace Marriage Podcast, Brad and Rick sit down with Jeremy and Wendy Coward to hear their raw, redemptive marriage story. Jeremy, a team member at Grace Marriage, and his wife Wendy open up about their 23-year journey—one marked by hardship, brokenness, and ultimately, healing. From rocky beginnings and deep betrayal to repentance, forgiveness, and intentional growth, the Cowards share how God restored what was nearly lost. They also discuss the critical role of ongoing support and grace-filled community in sustaining healthy marriages. This episode isn’t just their story—it’s a call to action for couples and churches alike to wake up, invest deeply, and put Christ-centered intentionality at the heart of every marriage.
Wake Up—Don’t Drift Through Your Marriage
What happens when we assume marriage will be easy? When we expect that love will carry us without effort? When we think a wedding fixes what’s broken? Jeremy and Wendy Coward’s story is a compelling answer to those questions. Their marriage didn’t magically thrive—it survived trials, betrayal, and years of disconnection. But it also blossomed, through grace, repentance, and relentless intentionality.
Here’s what we can all learn:
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Marriage won’t solve your problems—it reveals them. Like many couples, the Cowards thought marriage would smooth out their personal struggles. Instead, it exposed them. If you’ve ever been surprised by how hard marriage is, you’re not alone. Don’t ignore the conflict—dig into it.
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Grace is the game-changer. Grace isn’t just vertical; it must be horizontal. What transformed Jeremy and Wendy’s relationship wasn’t perfect behavior—it was radical forgiveness and humble repentance. If you’re stuck in a cycle of performance or resentment, grace can break it.
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You can rebuild trust after betrayal. Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end. It’s not easy, and it’s not quick, but as Wendy said, “He was a broken man, and he was repentant.” Healing came with transparency, consistency, and boundaries. It required both of them showing up with commitment and courage.
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Growth requires intentionality. Healthy marriages don’t happen by accident. Like a garden or a body, they need regular tending. Grace Marriage stands out by providing a structured, ongoing way for couples to grow—not just survive.
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Loneliness can exist in the same bed. Many couples are quietly drifting apart. They live together, but don’t really connect. The Cowards’ story reminds us to pursue one another, talk about hard things, and create rhythms of reconnection.
So, if you feel like you’re just “functionally coexisting,” take heart. You don’t have to stay there. There is more. But it starts with waking up, showing up, and leaning into grace.
A Word to Church Leaders
Pastor, ministry leader, shepherd of families—this part is for you.
Jeremy Coward put it bluntly: “People have just kind of fallen asleep at the wheel when it comes to their marriages.” And the consequences are clear. Crisis. Divorce. Quiet desperation. Couples under your care are coasting on autopilot, and too many are crashing.
Marriage isn’t just a program to offer—it’s the pillar the church stands on. Healthy families begin with healthy marriages. When marriages collapse, it ripples through kids, ministries, and entire communities.
So here’s the question: Is your church treating marriage ministry like a pillar ministry or a side event?
You don’t need to start from scratch. Grace Marriage exists to equip you with an ongoing, Christ-centered framework that helps couples invest in their relationship year-after-year—not just at a retreat or a one-off seminar.
And let’s not forget your own marriage. Ministry life is busy, draining, and often isolating. Are you investing in your marriage with the same passion you give to your church? Are you modeling what it looks like to prioritize your spouse?
It’s time to wake up the marriages in your church—including your own.
Let Grace Marriage help you build a culture where couples grow together—not apart.
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