Imagine the thrill of witnessing dozens of marriages improved—often radically changed—by God's message for the family, knowing that somehow you were a part of it. That's what Danny and Crystal Fernandez of Northridge, Calif., have experienced for the past 12 years.

The Fernandezes' passion for marriages is displayed most at their church during the yearly promotion of the Weekend to Remember®, FamilyLife's three-day marriage conference. Their contagious enthusiasm is what has attracted an average of 20-30 couples to join them at the conference each year.

Danny and Crystal were first introduced to the Weekend to Remember during their engagement when Crystal heard about the conference from a church member. They attended and were so impacted by the messages that they decided to come the next year as a married couple. "It was fun and practical," Crystal says. "We also joked that we had missed the best part since engaged couples didn't get to hear the intimacy talk, and we were looking forward to that!"

Their first year of marriage was hard financially, but Danny and Crystal were determined to return to the conference. Crystal called for a scholarship, but none were available. They could, however, volunteer to work the conference and go at a reduced price. They both agreed.

"We had decided to attend every year as a tune up for our marriage and to keep us on target," Danny says. "Not only that, but there were so many people that we wanted to bring with us." As a matter of fact, they brought 10 couples with them that year. They volunteered again the next year and also joined the City Ministry Team, a local team of volunteers coordinated by FamilyLife. From there they became City Ministry Co-Directors in 1995, which they continued to do until 2002.

Although Danny and Crystal have been volunteering for over 12 years now, they have never lost their zeal for telling people about the conference. Each year they've set up booths at their church to hand out flyers and brochures, visited Sunday school and engagement classes, followed up with interested individuals, called for scholarships … anything to spread the news about the Weekend to Remember. "We just had a lot of excitement," Danny says, "and we wanted others to be there."

That enthusiasm has paid off; the Fernandezes have consistently brought groups of 25-30 people each year with them to the conference. "It amazes us that no matter where people are in life whether engaged and full of anticipation, happily married, having a few problems, or on the verge of divorce," Crystal says. "God uses the speakers to talk to each couple individually."

Throughout their years of bringing couples with them to the conference, Danny and Crystal have seen countless marriages revived, including one couple that remarried after their divorce and another couple that destroyed their divorce papers.

Crystal was particularly encouraged as she watched one couple go from engagement to marriage to volunteering in their own church. "They dated two years but were engaged and married within three months without ever discussing their future," says Crystal, who paid for their registration as wedding gift. "They now have a great marriage, and they both told us that the conference was the best gift they have ever been given."

The Fernandezes have seen the effects of the conference in their own marriage as well. "Each year you're in a different season of marriage," Danny says. "The first year we were engaged, anticipating marriage. The second year we were married, going through financial struggles. The following two years we went through struggles of infertility. And then suddenly we had a child—and then two more. So every year it's a different message that comes out alive in our marriage."

Although Danny and Crystal have stepped out of their official role as co-directors of the City Ministry Team, they plan to continue attending the conference every year and supporting FamilyLife's ministry in other ways, including the use of their facilities for FamilyLife meetings.

"The message that FamilyLife presents is right on for marriages. We have seen so many transformed," Danny says. "And that's what keeps us wanting to invite other people—we know that wherever you are in your marriage, God's power can transform you. It's exciting to be a part of it."

"As a matter of fact, we lead a small group right now, and only one couple out of 15 has been to the conference," Crystal says. "We have a whole new group to start working on!"

For more information about being a volunteer with FamilyLife, visit FamilyLife or call 1-800-FL-Today and talk to a customer service representative.