Christian marriage enrichment for couples, churches and counsellors
Connecting Matters is the Christian marriage enrichment ministry of Barry and Dr Paula Davis. We run marriage retreats and specialised workshops for churches and groups, train leader couples and counsellors, and write resources that help couples reconnect, grow and rediscover what matters most. We offer marriage enrichment, not professional or clinical therapy.
Enquire about a retreat
Our approach to marriage enrichment
"Stronger connections, deeper love"
Because healthy relationships don’t just happen; they’re built with intention, grace, and understanding.
"Where hearts meet and healing begins"
Helping couples and individuals navigate the challenges of connection with wisdom, faith, and hope.
"Love well. Live whole"
Equipping you with the tools to foster meaningful relationships that bring joy, resilience, and transformation.
Marriage retreats, workshops and training
Our Christian marriage retreats address crucial themes such as effective communication, managing anger and conflict, understanding family backgrounds, and integrating sexuality with spirituality. We also train marriage enrichment leader couples, focusing on group skills through adult education principles.
Psychological trauma, grief and loss can severely impact relationships. Our specialised workshops examine trauma responses, gender differences in grieving and emotional reactions, and strategies for maintaining connection during challenging and stressful situations.
We also offer professional development for counsellors centred on couple relationships, as well as customised sessions designed to meet the specific needs of your group or organisation.
See our retreatsWhy Connecting Matters?
We Are Created for Connection
At the core of every human heart is the need to be seen, known, and loved. Healthy relationships, whether in marriage, family, or friendships, bring meaning, healing, and growth. When we nurture deep, authentic connections, we thrive.
Disconnection Leads to Pain
Unresolved wounds, unspoken hurts, and unmet needs create distance in relationships. Many couples and individuals struggle with loneliness, misunderstanding, and conflict. By learning to reconnect, we break cycles of isolation and restore intimacy.
Transformation Happens in Relationships
Real change doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens in the context of safe, loving relationships. The journey toward wholeness begins with connection. When we engage with each other in meaningful ways, we experience healing, renewal, and deeper love.
Our Mission
Our mission as broken people, is to serve as signposts for other broken people
Our Offerings
We would like to support you to intentionally refocus on marriage. Participants have said they enjoy being with other couples who are intentional about taking time out of their busy lives to make connecting with each other a high priority. Explore our retreats, workshops, A Safe Place training videos and books.
Frequently asked questions
What is Christian marriage enrichment?
Marriage enrichment is about intentional marriages. It gives couples time, tools and a safe setting to strengthen a relationship that is basically sound, so they can communicate better, handle conflict well and grow in intimacy. Our retreats and workshops draw on Christian faith and on Barry and Paula's decades of experience working with couples.
Is Connecting Matters marriage counselling?
No. Paula is a clinical counsellor and supervisor, but our retreats and workshops are marriage enrichment, not professional or clinical therapy. They are not aimed at solving serious marriage problems. If your marriage is in crisis, please speak with a qualified counsellor or your GP.
Who runs Connecting Matters?
Barry and Dr Paula Davis, who have been married for more than five decades. Paula is a clinical counsellor, supervisor and lecturer in counselling, and Barry brings a background in theology, pastoring and church planting. They have designed relational tools for couples since the late 1980s. Read more about Barry and Paula.
Can you run a marriage retreat at our church?
Yes. We run weekend retreats, one-day tasters, date nights and time-limited small groups at your venue, ideally for up to ten couples. We do not charge a fee for our services; the host covers the costs of running the event, including our travel, accommodation and materials. We have led retreats in Australia, East Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Europe. Contact us to discuss dates.
Do you train leader couples and counsellors?
Yes. Our A Safe Place resource manual, worksheets and eight-session training videos help couples design and lead marriage enrichment events. We also run professional development for counsellors on the complex issues that affect couple relationships.
“This was the most deep and practical retreat we have ever attended. I love your modelling to us the conversations. Honest and professional at the same time. A gift from God. Thank you so much.”