From staff reports

The Mississippi Healthy Marriage Initiative will host a training session for the 10 Great Dates marriage education program.

The class will be from 8:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church in Jackson. The training is designed to equip faith-based and community leaders with a program to help strengthen marriages and families in Mississippi.  Admission is free, but registration is required.

The training will be led by David and Claudia Arp, marriage educators, best-selling authors and founders of the 10 Great Dates program. During the training, the Arps will explain the research-based benefits of their program, give advertising and start-up tips and provide resources.

“We’re excited to have the Arps come to Jackson to train us on how to effectively implement the 10 Great Dates program,” Dr. Tabitha Staier, assistant extension professor of family education and policy at Mississippi State University, said in a release anouncing the training session. “Many of Mississippi’s problems can be attributed to the breakdown of the traditional two-parent family. It is our hope that once leaders learn about 10 Great Dates, they will help strengthen marriages and families in our state by implementing this program in their congregation or community.”

The Mississippi Healthy Marriage Initiative is comprised of community agencies, organizations, groups and individuals who aim to strengthen marriages and families in the state.

If you go

The Mississippi Healthy Marriage Initiative 10 Great Dates training session will be from 8:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church in Jackson. The class is free, but registration is required. Visit www.marriagemississippi.com or call 662-325-3080.