Al and Autumn Ray are stepping away from leadership of the ministry — they are not retiring! — and Matthew Zoller takes over as executive director for the Marriage Team, a ministry based in Vancouver that has helped thousands of marriages all over the world

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

They described it as a change of command, but make no mistake: Al and Autumn Ray are not retiring from the Marriage Team.

The ministry’s leadership is changing, with Matthew Zoller taking over as executive director, but Al and Autumn — cofounders — are still very much part of the team.

“Celebrating the past, Inspiring the Future” was the theme Saturday as the Marriage Team invited coaches and friends of the ministry to a Founders Dessert Program at Firstenburg Community Center in east Vancouver. Marriage Team now has coaches in 29 states and has a presence in Europe, as well — with its headquarters in Vancouver.

The board of directors thanked Al and Autumn and prayed for them. Then the board prayed for Zoller and his wife Chiqui.

The Marriage Team, which has already helped save or improve thousands of marriages through its coaching techniques, is looking forward to making an impact for thousands more.

One saved marriage, after all, affects the lives of so many. The children in the family, and, eventually, the grandchildren. Plus all of their family and friends.

Autumn Ray told the story of the beginning of the Marriage Team. Officially, it started in 2006 as a ministry, but Autumn and Al had started coaching long before then. Al and Autumn have been married for 54 years, but they will tell you it was a rocky start to the marriage.

After they dedicated themselves to God and their marriage, they wanted to find ways to help other married couples.

Autumn recalled being at a prayer meeting at their church, listening to a recording of John Maxwell.

“I don’t know what anybody else got out of that meeting, but I heard him say, ‘Why bother to pray if you are not going to do anything about it?’ That struck me. ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ It changed our lives forever,” Autumn said. “It was from that day forward that Marriage Team was born with really staunch supporters and encouragers.”

She reminded the audience why this ministry is so successful.

“Using the tools of Marriage Team actually works. Why? Because they are God’s tools, right?” she said.

Everyone in the room, she noted, has been a witness to the power of God through the Marriage Team. This is not counseling to make a couple feel better for a day or a month, but for a lifetime.

Al Ray noted that there were several challenges in the beginning. He knew he and Autumn could not do all the coaching themselves. So they recruited other couples to train as coaches. Almost 20 years after the start of the ministry, Al said there have been more than 400 coaches.

The Marriage Team also had to get the word out to those who needed coaching. Christian-based, the Marriage Team will help everyone, including non-believers. But all couples must know that Marriage Team is out there, ready to support them.

“We all know people who are struggling in their marriage,” Al said. “We can all benefit from help now and then.”
Autumn noted that building the curriculum was challenging, as well. That curriculum kept changing. She thanked all the coaches who had the patience as the Marriage Team brought a focus to its tools.

Both Al and Autumn mentioned God’s timing several times during the event. Everything is in God’s timing, not theirs.

Now, just look at what God has done, they said. 

“God is faithful. We had no idea what it was to start a nonprofit. It was all new, but God provided,” Al said. “Seeing the way He provided just built my faith over the years in a way I never would have imagined. That is one of the lasting things and biggest reflections I take from this ministry is that God is faithful and God provides.”

This journey has brought Al and Autumn even closer.

“When you serve others, you are blessed in the process,” Al said. “By serving others in this capacity, we have been blessed in our own marriage. Right now I think our marriage is the best it’s ever been.”

Before saying that last part, he explain to the the audience that he asked Autumn prior to his comments if she agreed. Indeed, she said yes.

He also thanked all those who put on Saturday’s dessert. For those who enjoyed the event, feel free to talk to him about it. If anyone had a complaint, talk to Zoller.

Zoller, by the way, joined the Marriage Team almost two years ago, as part of a succession plan put in place by Al and Autumn.

Zoller reiterated that Al and Autumn are not retiring. Just leaving leadership. They are not allowed to retire, he joked.

On a serious note, he said he takes on his new position as executive director knowing what is at stake.

“The image of God is so close to my heart,” Zoller said. “I’ve worked in the area of preserving the image of God most of my professional career. Marriage is within that. Marriage is what images God in the world today. So when we are restoring marriage, we are effectively restoring the image of God.”

The Marriage Team, according to its website, resolves conflicts and renews hope. It says that couples can love and respect each other again, grow spiritually, and enjoy results immediately. 

“Coaching saves and strengthens marriage,” reads a banner on its home page.

For more information on Marriage Team, go to: https://marriageteam.org/