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As published in the Insight News June 16 - June 22, 2008
FULL CIRCLE: Pastors Rufus and Diane Thibodeaux celebrate 40 years of marriage
"We believe in 100/100, we don't believe in 50/50 -50/50 means you do half and I'll do half, but if you're meeting each other at 100/100 there is no
gap, you're both doing your part." That relationship motto has gotten Drs. Rufus and Diane Thibodeaux, co-pastors at Holding Forth the Word of
Life Ministries in North Minneapolis, through the 40 years of marriage they recently celebrated. They are inseparable. They live together, preach
together, play together, and pray together. If you've spent just a moment in the same room with them, it quickly becomes evident that they are
genuinely and deeply in love. They finish each other's sentences, hold hands, and share a laughter that seems to hold years of experiences, some
that they share and others you know only the two of them will ever be privy to. What's clear is they are happy, content, and together have found
their stride in life.
The couple are high school sweethearts who met in the 9th grade and were married at the ages of 15 and 16, which is young even by their
standards. "We thought we were the only ones in the whole New Orleans, no, in the whole world who got married that young," said Pastor Diane.
"But we felt like we belonged together." At that point, the young couple also had a child on the way and they were forced to grow up very quickly.
Pastor Diane went to work, while Pastor Rufus headed off to Dillard University. "People would tell us we weren't going to make it. They would say as
soon as he meets someone in college, he's going to leave you and that child," Pastor Diane recalls. "From my family's perspective we were better
than them," said Pastor Rufus. "My mother would try to introduce me to other young women, but I said no matter what happened or what people said
we would be together. It was us against the world." They found a rude awakening in the real world. Pastor Rufus got a job making $25 a week so
they moved out on their own attempting to rent a low-income apartment in the projects, only they didn't even qualify; not because they made too
much money, but because they did not make enough. A woman in the leasing office gave them a break and allowed them to pay what they could.
The community around them pitched in to do the rest. Neighbors would check in to make sure they had enough diapers, milk and money. In fact,
Pastor Rufus' senior year in college the couple went rent-free courtesy of the community. "The most unlikely people, the people that the world wrote
off, were the most helpful," said Pastor Rufus. "I guess that is why we do what we do now." Together the couple directs and manages several
programs aimed at restoring the community, programs that were birthed out of their own life experiences, struggles and triumphs. Some of them
include the AGAPE 24-hour child development center and the Brothers Keeper's Men's Network. The two have even managed to give back to the
community through the love they share with each other inspiring couples at their Lover's for Life couple's fellowship class. Who better to learn from
than a couple who has seen it all "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and for better or for worse." After forty years, they honestly believe
their marriage was truly ordained by God.
FULL CIRCLE: Pastors Rufus and Diane Thibodeaux celebrate 40 years of marriage
"We believe in 100/100, we don't believe in 50/50 -50/50 means you do half and I'll do half, but if you're meeting each other at 100/100 there is no
gap, you're both doing your part." That relationship motto has gotten Drs. Rufus and Diane Thibodeaux, co-pastors at Holding Forth the Word of
Life Ministries in North Minneapolis, through the 40 years of marriage they recently celebrated. They are inseparable. They live together, preach
together, play together, and pray together. If you've spent just a moment in the same room with them, it quickly becomes evident that they are
genuinely and deeply in love. They finish each other's sentences, hold hands, and share a laughter that seems to hold years of experiences, some
that they share and others you know only the two of them will ever be privy to. What's clear is they are happy, content, and together have found
their stride in life.
The couple are high school sweethearts who met in the 9th grade and were married at the ages of 15 and 16, which is young even by their
standards. "We thought we were the only ones in the whole New Orleans, no, in the whole world who got married that young," said Pastor Diane.
"But we felt like we belonged together." At that point, the young couple also had a child on the way and they were forced to grow up very quickly.
Pastor Diane went to work, while Pastor Rufus headed off to Dillard University. "People would tell us we weren't going to make it. They would say as
soon as he meets someone in college, he's going to leave you and that child," Pastor Diane recalls. "From my family's perspective we were better
than them," said Pastor Rufus. "My mother would try to introduce me to other young women, but I said no matter what happened or what people said
we would be together. It was us against the world." They found a rude awakening in the real world. Pastor Rufus got a job making $25 a week so
they moved out on their own attempting to rent a low-income apartment in the projects, only they didn't even qualify; not because they made too
much money, but because they did not make enough. A woman in the leasing office gave them a break and allowed them to pay what they could.
The community around them pitched in to do the rest. Neighbors would check in to make sure they had enough diapers, milk and money. In fact,
Pastor Rufus' senior year in college the couple went rent-free courtesy of the community. "The most unlikely people, the people that the world wrote
off, were the most helpful," said Pastor Rufus. "I guess that is why we do what we do now." Together the couple directs and manages several
programs aimed at restoring the community, programs that were birthed out of their own life experiences, struggles and triumphs. Some of them
include the AGAPE 24-hour child development center and the Brothers Keeper's Men's Network. The two have even managed to give back to the
community through the love they share with each other inspiring couples at their Lover's for Life couple's fellowship class. Who better to learn from
than a couple who has seen it all "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and for better or for worse." After forty years, they honestly believe
their marriage was truly ordained by God.
| Celebrating 40 Years of Marriage Honoring Our Pastors Drs. Rufus and Diane Thibodeaux Sunday, July 6, 2008 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Holding Forth the Worth of Life Ministries International 2029 West Broadway Minneapolis, Minnesota Come join us as we celebrate God's Chosen and Our Pastors Questions or Directions: 612-522-5807 |
| Happy 40th Anniversary! |
| 2008 Giving Campaign The Power of Eight God's Season of New Beginnings Our 2008 scripture references are Isaiah 42:9,10a, 16 and Isaiah 43:18-19 The Scripture references for our giving campaign are Matthew 6:33, Malachi 3:8-12, 1 Kings 17:7-5, 2 Chronicles 8:1-5, Haggai 1:2-14, and Haggai 2:6-9 This giving campaign is designed to mobilize our church body, friends and ministry partners to rise to a new level of financial excellence in meeting the needs of God's house. The goal is to strategically generate funds beyond our normal tithes and offerings to pay off existing debt and to do special projects as The Lord directs. In this campaign you will be asked to 1. Pledge to give a weekly financial commitment above your normal tithes and offerings 2. Pledge to give a special First Fruit offering which will be received at our special 10:30 Resurrection Sunday Service. click here for the giving form As last year we have setup a system to receive payments on your special First Fruit gifts and receipts will be given out. Each member will be called on to make a public declaration of their gift. Don't let the Devil tell you what to give and don't let him make you stay home if your giving goal is not met. Give what you have and believe God for the rest. Give no place to the Devil. Remember: Your Faithfulness with Finances determines your Usefulness to God |