Building a christ-centered marriage

Written by Tammy Kellogg

Our Journey, Practical Encouragement, and Trusted Resources

By Tammy Kellogg

My husband and I have been invested in biblical marriage since we first committed to pursuing it—nine years into what is now our marriage of more than 40 years.

In October 1995, we decided to follow Jesus. Prior to that, our marriage was worldly and self-centered. We chased the American dream and had everything the world says should make us happy and fulfilled, but we were empty. From careers and kids to a beautiful home, none of it filled that God-shaped hole in our hearts. We made lots of mistakes, hurt each other deeply, and did not honor the Lord through our marriage.

But God.

God allowed us to find healing in our lives and our marriage through a gospel-centered church, reading His Word, listening to many sermons, meeting with mature Christian couples, and attending multiple marriage studies throughout the years. We even took one study twice. Little did we know that God was preparing us to help others with broken marriages find healing in Him. God will use your trials and turn them into a testimony if you let Him.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Today, we lead marriage groups in our church, including premarital counseling, biblical marriage groups, and crisis marriage counseling—not because we always have the answers, but because we know the One who does.

When we give our lives and our marriages to the Lord and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, God can transform our marriages into what He ultimately wants the world to see in the body of Christ. He wants us to have a sacrificial, others-focused love that honors God and provides a beacon of light to those who are hurting and those who instinctively know there must be more to this.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Ministry is hard. Lean into the Lord in all you do for yourself, your husband, and your family. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to have a lukewarm faith and a lifeless marriage. Be intentional with your spouse. Give sacrificially, even when you don’t feel like it. God calls us to be helpmates. Fill the gaps with grace, not judgment.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Below are resources that we recommend. We are currently leading a six-week study on The Art of Marriage, a video-based study offered through FamilyLife.org. After attending a FamilyLife marriage weekend retreat, we were excited to use their marriage videos in an upcoming marriage study.

We incorporate a funny marriage video, video teaching, table discussions, and a marriage testimony from a couple in the church. We have also encouraged couples to find a marriage mentor couple—a couple who reflects the fruit of the Spirit in their marriage.

We all need people who will come alongside us as we follow Christ together and pursue the marriage He has for us! If you don’t have a couple who does that for you, we encourage you to find one.

My prayer is that this information is helpful and that you take time to pour into your marriage. What a gift it is to serve the body of Christ. I pray that your marriages and ministries will be blessed and fruitful.

Marriage Resources

Recommended Books

  1. The Mingling of Souls — Matt Chandler

  2. Love & Respect — Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

  3. The Meaning of Marriage — Tim Keller

  4. One More Try: What to Do When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart — Gary Chapman

  5. Boundaries in Marriage — Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

  6. Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? — Gary Thomas

  7. Journey to Oneness — Ron Hitchcock

  8. A Lifelong Love: How to Have Lasting Intimacy, Friendship, and Purpose in Your Marriage — Gary Thomas

  9. When Sorry Isn't Enough: Making Things Right with Those You Love — Gary Chapman

  10. 10 Lessons to Transform Your Marriage — John Gottman

  11. The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work — John Gottman

  12. Rebuilding a Marriage Better Than New — Cindy Beall

  13. Called 2 Love: A 40-Day Journey into Marriage Intimacy — Dr. David and Teresa Ferguson and Steve and Barbara Uhlmann

  14. You and Me Forever: Marriage in the Light of Eternity — Francis and Lisa Chan

  15. Fierce Marriage: Radically Pursuing Each Other in Light of Christ's Relentless Love — Ryan Frederick, Selena Frederick, and Gary Thomas

Videos, Podcasts & Online Teaching

Grace Fellowship Marriage Messages

  • Pursuit (2023): Marriage Killer

  • Killer Marriage (2019)

  • Happily Ever After (2016)

  • Married — What It Means to Be (2025)

Browse Grace Fellowship Messages

Marriage Retreats & Ministries

About Tammy Kellogg

Tammy is saved by grace, anchored in God’s Word, and passionate about sharing Jesus with others. She and her husband, Kevin, attend and serve at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, where they are intentional about helping others build Christ-centered marriages.

They have two adult children who follow the Lord and are married to the loves of their lives. They are also blessed with four rambunctious grandsons and one precious granddaughter.

Tammy and Kevin love spending time with family and friends and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation through hiking.

Tammy Kellogg

Tammy Kellogg is a follower of Jesus, grounded in God’s Word and passionate about helping others grow in their faith. She and her husband, Kevin, attend and serve at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, Ohio, where they share a heart for encouraging couples to build strong, Christ-centered marriages.

Tammy and Kevin are blessed with two married adult children who also follow the Lord, along with five grandchildren—four energetic grandsons and one beloved granddaughter. They cherish time spent with family and friends and enjoy hiking together, taking in the beauty of God’s creation.