Some marriages feel so broken that the only option seems to be walking away. That is exactly where Mark and Alana found themselves after nearly three decades together. Years of hurt and hidden sin had piled up, and Alana finally said, “Enough is enough. Pack your bags.”
Suitcases were in the car. Mark was moments away from driving off when Alana felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit: “I’m not done with him yet.” She could not shake it. So she walked out to the car, did the very thing she did not feel like doing, and told him to come back inside. They both knew they could not fix this on their own. They needed help. They needed hope.
They got in the car and started driving without a plan, just a prayer. “God, where do we go?” They thought of “that huge church on the corner of 90 and 59” and drove straight to Sugar Creek’s offices. On November 1, 2019, they walked in off the street and were led upstairs to meet with Pastor Ben Coleman. Mark expected to talk about how to get a “Godly divorce.” Alana was ready to be done.
Instead, Pastor Ben listened to their story and then shared the gospel, using the same three-circle picture that was on the sticker on their car. In that office, Mark realized he had been trying to run his life his own way, and it was destroying him and his marriage. Right there, he turned his heart to Jesus and surrendered his life to Christ. Alana did not fully believe it at first. But then she watched him start leading the family to church, staying consistent, and slowly changing from the inside out.
Over time, God did what only God can do—He began to restore what was broken. Their home changed. Their relationship changed. Even their daughter’s wedding became another marker of grace as Pastor Ben officiated the ceremony. Today, Mark and Alana talk about how strong their family is, how loved they feel by their church, and—most importantly—how deeply they’ve experienced the healing love of Christ.
Their story is not about perfect people who figured it out. It is about a perfect Savior who stepped into a desperate moment when two hurting spouses turned their hearts toward Him. That is often where healing begins: not with a new plan or a fresh promise, but with surrender—each partner, personally, coming to Jesus for forgiveness, new life, and a new heart.
If you are hiding something, carrying secret sin, or quietly planning your exit, you are not getting away with it—and you do not have to live that way. God already sees, and His heart is not to shame you but to free you. There is no shame in saying, “I need help. I cannot keep living like this. I want to be free. I want to be whole.”
The same Jesus who met Mark and Alana in a church office can meet you right where you are. Turn your heart to Him. Ask Him to forgive you, to lead your life, and to begin healing what feels beyond repair. Then step out of the shadows and reach out to people who love Jesus and will love you—pastors, counselors, trusted believers who will walk with you through the mess, not around it. You do not have to stay stuck in secrecy, shame, or despair. In Christ, you can be forgiven. Your marriage can change. Your family can be restored. There is hope, and His name is Jesus.
One of the best ways to move forward is by connecting with other couples who are committed to the hard work of marriage. Sugar Creek offers Connect Groups that meet every week where married couple come together to learn from each other and be encouraged as they strengthen their marriages. If you're ready, we're here to help you get started.
Click here to learn more.