RESOURCES BY SUBJECT l FTF LIBRARY

This list is continually growing; if you would like to join us please indicate your support by sending an email to info@FirstThingsRichmond.org with your name, church, denomination and phone/fax/e-mail and that you support the Richmond Community Marriage Policy.  If you just want to keep up with our free events, you may be added to our mailing list without signing the CMP by sending the same info and indicating that you do not agree with the CMP.  Including your reason is helpful in our constant assessment of the needs of our community and possible revision of CMP.    

Advisors   (below) :  Include most of the Bishops and senior clergy leaders in each denomination and growing to include Business and other Community Leaders.

(If your denominational leader is not listed, please contact us) 

 Galatians 6:6 Clergy Couple Retreats FREE Link to web site    Download flier08

Board of Directors:

• Mr John Robinson(Chairman 06), Co-owner Equity Concepts

•  Dan Scott, Treasurer, Treasurer Family Policy Council

• Doug Anderson:  Non-Profit CEO, Retired

• Sherylle Bates, The Mobile Solution

• Glenda Baul, Dominion

• Molly Bittner, U of R Development

• Steve Bittner, Liberty Mortgage

• Janet Broadway, Anderson, Marks & Miller

• Rebecca Blackwell, Pampered Cheff

• Jera Nelson Cunningham, Hanover Community Service Board

• Steve Mapp. First Market Bank, Senior VP

• Elizabeth Gilkeson King, U of R 

• Rev Neal Siler, First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville.

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• Bob Ruthazer, CFLE; Executive Director (part time) St Giles Marriage & Family Educator; 5200 Grove Ave Richmond, VA 23226-1633  (o)288-3431(ext13); (h)272-4471; (f)282-6519;  bob @ FirstThingsRichmond.org   

• If you have a passion for Building Strong Marriages and Families and are willing to be on our Board,  please contact one of the above.

Former

• Ms. Robin Jones, Chesterfield Prevention Services

• Ellen Robertson, City Council

• Jane Talley, Richmond Senior Social Worker

• Rev. Cecil Chambers

• Rev. Hunter R. Hill VIPCare

• Rev. Owen Cardwell; former Chairman 05; Pastor New Canaan International Church. 

• Dr. Wayne Mancari Pastor Cornerstone Assembly Of God 

• Mrs Jane Talley Families First, Richmond City Health Dept EDI.

• Rev. Dennis Thomas  Pastor, First African Baptist Church

• Mrs. Loraine Tracy Coordinator, Christian Marriage Formation; Catholic Diocese of Richmond  

• Rev. John Peters  Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church

• Rev Bill Queen  Associate Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church;  

• Dr. Scott Daniels, VCU Center for Public Policy

• Rev. Raymond Luster  Pastor Revealing Christ’s Love International Church

• Nedra Voorhies, Richmond Hill & Lifeline Counseling

• Loraine Tracy, Richmond diocese

• Rev Dennis Thomas, First African Baptist

• First Things First has collaborative relationships with Richmond Health Dept, Henrico County Social Services and Chesterfield Prevention services and many other agencies.  Contact FTF for current list.

Our Executive Director: Bob Ruthazer, CFLE   

Bob Ruthazer, CFLE and his wife of 28 years, Dianne live in the  Richmond, Virginia helping strengthen families and youth as Family Life Educators. Bob is First Things First of Greater Richmond (formerly Marriage Builders Alliance), Executive Director where he passionately is helping to change the marriage-divorce paradigm through Premarital Education, Couple Mentoring and Marriage Enrichment in our churches and community.  

Bob & Dianne are also part time St Giles Presbyterian Church staff where they developed and coordinate an extensive Marriage Mentors Ministry for premarital preparation, enrichment, youth education, helping couples in crisis, and a Blended Families Support Group.  Bob was also Marriage Savers, Mid-Atlantic Consultant for this national organization that helps localities and congregations develop cooperative Community Marriage initiatives. Together, Bob & Dianne helped found and the Family Resource Centre for University of the Nations, the training arm of Youth With A Mission in Virginia from 1993 to 2002 and helped pioneer this ministry in East & West Africa. 

Bob was previously a Naval Officer for 21 years during which time he met and married Dianne who was  Missionary serving Youth With a Mission in Spain from 1972-1978.  Bob & Dianne are widely traveled and bring a multitude of real life experiences and fun practical application in all they do.

Note: CFLE = Certified Family Life Educator by National Council on Family Relations

National Programs Qualified to Train (not a complete list):

• PREP and Christian PREP "Fighting For Your Marriage"
• PREPARE/ENRICH by Life Innovations, Inc. trainer for Clergy, Counselors & Mentors  Also "Building Strong Relationships"  link for certification training information
• FOCCUS/REFOCCUS Inventories: trainer for Clergy, Counselors & Mentors  link for certification training
• Marriage Savers National Trainers for all programs.
• Marriage Ministries (for Couples in Crisis)  
• PAIRS Couples Skills
• Workshops based on Compassion Power by Steve Stosny
• Reconciling God’s Way (for Separated Couples)  
• PICK-A-Partner: "How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk" Workshops
• Various Marriage, Parenting and Family Workshops & Family Camp

Office:   First things First of Greater Richmond

5200 Grove Ave Richmond, VA 23226-1633

(804)288-3431 (ext-13);   info@FirstThingsRichmond.org

www.FirstThingsRichmond.org 

Community Leaders & Clergy that Support Marriages and the Community Marriage Policy:

  List to be developed 

• Rev. XXXXXXX    YYYY Church

• Pastor ZZZZZ      VVVVVV Church

• etc

This does not imply any endorsement of those listed but rather identifies those wanting to be listed and meeting the above conditions.