REAL LOVE:
MARRIED COUPLES FELLOWSHIP
Have a more satisfying marriage. Learn how to effectively manage conflict, avoid negativity and meet each other’s needs. Improve your friendship with your spouse and increase intimacy, fondness and respect. Join us for Date Night, Couples & Conversation groups, and Married Couples Panel Discussions.
WOCC also offers a six-week Premarital course for couples that are recently engaged or who are in a serious relationship moving toward marriage. After the course is completed, WOCC Pastors on staff can officiate at your wedding. Engaged couples are encouraged to be married within a year of taking the Premarital course.
Contact us at marriedcouples@wocconline.org
Leaders
Elders Paul and Dionne McLaughlin live in Durham, NC and have been married for 31 years. They have 2 sons, a graduate of the University of North Carolina -Wilmington (UNCW) and a graduate of the University of North Carolina -Greensboro (UNCG). Dionne was born in England to Jamaican parents. Paul was born in Boston to Irish parents. Paul and Dionne were introduced by mutual friends while they were both attending Bishop Thompson’s Church in Boston, MA. They learned how to compromise and be quick to repent. Both of their parents were divorced but they determined that their marriage would stand the test of time. They went on Married Couples’ Retreats, hosted married couples’ fellowships in their home and read several books on marriage. They enjoy traveling, reading, going to the gym and prayer.
Favorite vacation spots: Bermuda, Spain, the Dominican Republic and Egypt.
Elders Stacey and Justina live in Raleigh, NC and have been married for 14 years. They met at work when they were both (previously married) single parents. They are a blended family and have 5 children. They enjoy going to the movies, arcades, playing spades, dream building, and traveling. They also enjoy reading, discount shopping and cuddling while watching HGTV.
Elders Ray and Linda Strother live in Raleigh, NC and have been married for 29 years. Elder Ray and Linda were introduced by family friends. They moved to North Carolina from Boston in 2013. They love to cook, eat good food, missions field outreach and athletic adventures.
Mentors
Elders Michael and Terri Holmes live in Wake Forest, NC and have been married for 21 years. They are a blended family and have 2 adult children. Michael describes Terri as his Proverbs 31 woman and Terri describes Michael as her Boaz. It is really true that some people will meet their future wife or husband at the church they attend. Michael and Terri met at church and started their love affair with one another. They enjoy completing daily 5:00am workouts together in the gym.
Stephanie and Stanley Spaulding have been married for 7 great years. They live in Apex, NC and have two young children. They are both East Carolina University (ECU) Pirates. They met online after moving to Raleigh and later discovered that they had mutual friends. They enjoy spending time with family, cooking, fitness, and traveling. They love experiencing new places and adventures. Both of them are competitive and love a good challenge. They currently serve with the media team and with O’Kids.
Deacons Tasia and Gabe Mabry live in Mebane, NC and have been married for 8 years. They are originally from Charlotte, NC where they both attended high school together. They had the same group of friends but never had a one-on-one conversation until they were adults. They connected at a mutual friend’s wedding then began officially dating shortly thereafter. Together, they have experienced individual growth, losses, career shifts, family expansion and so much more, with God and friendship as their foundation. They spend their time working from home with their three kids. They enjoy fitness, spending time outdoors, road trips, good eats and serving at WOCC.
Deacons Darrell and Toni Jeter live in Mebane, NC and have been married for 25 years. Darrell and Toni are natives of Winston-Salem, NC and met in their home church when they were teenagers. Darrell is a Marine and emergency manager. Toni is a teacher. Darrell and Toni have two children. The Jeters desire to encourage and support other couples in their journey together towards a healthy, God-centered union.
Kevin and Jameelah Jordan live in Holly Springs, NC and have been married for 10 amazing years. They shared the same best friend. They stayed close throughout college at NC State University but never looked at each other as more than friends until years later when they randomly reconnected (through that same best friend). They love to travel and explore new places—especially the ones that aren’t popular tourist destinations. One of their favorite trips was renting an RV and road-tripping along the coast of Australia for a few weeks. They have also lived overseas and have a passion for experiencing different cultures. These days, they spend most of our time chasing around their toddler, flipping houses, and working in real estate. They are also passionate about building generational and kingdom wealth. More than anything, they love to laugh, connect with others, and grow together in their faith and marriage. They are excited about serving as Marriage Mentors and pouring into other couples the way others have poured into them. They know firsthand the value of support and community, and they are looking forward to walking alongside other couples through all seasons of marriage.
Jermey and Ashley live in Durham, NC and have been married for 10 years. Their love story began where they met on the campus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and were introduced by mutual friends. They have a 5-year-old son and a dog, Riley. Jermey enjoys grilling, basketball and photography. Ashley enjoys her book club, going to brunch with her girlfriends, and watching crime documentaries. Together they enjoy hosting family & friends for game nights, movies, binge worthy TV shows, traveling the world together, and spending time with their son. Jermey and Ashley have both served in the media ministry at WOCC.
Gerald and Cynthia Johnson live in Fuquay-Varina, NC and have been married for 27 years. They met while working in Camden, New Jersey in the breakfast line of the company cafeteria. They were married on February 14th in a basketball style ceremony at half court during half time alongside 75 couples who were also selected to tie the knot on that very special day at what was then called the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA, home of the 76ers basketball team. They are parents to 3 grown children, grandparents to 4 grandchildren and great grandparents to 1 great granddaughter. They both enjoy their full-time jobs as a Senior Manufacturing Technician, and a Stock Parts Administrator. They enjoy traveling, taking cruises, movie dates, bowling, cooking, outdoor sports activities, and relaxing at home. They look forward to sharing their marital experiences, trials and triumphs with engaged and married couples.
Teresa Higdon-Fripp and Jason Fripp live in Apex, NC and have been married for 24 years. They were introduced to one another by a mutual friend when Teresa was planning the friend’s wedding. They quickly realized that they had a lot in common. They love traveling, reading, axe throwing, hiking, dancing, music, bowling and golf. They truly believe in the power of prayer and reading the Word of God. They are always striving to grow spiritually, mentally and as a couple.
Kenneth & Molanda Gaither live in Durham, NC. They have been married for 21 years. They have four daughters, two from a previous marriage, and three grandchildren. They were introduced to each other by Kenneth’s best friend and Molanda’s aunt. Molanda is on active duty in the Army and Kenneth is an Army veteran. They enjoy music, roller skating, bowling and going to the movies.