What is United Marriage Encounter?

United Marriage Encounter is a non-denominational international Christian charity offering a tried-and-tested weekend experience for husbands and wives to learn how they can deepen their communication.

United Marriage Encounter grew out of UPEME and has been holding weekends for over 32 years since 1975.  The weekend is a hard working voyage of discovery which provides tried and tested practical tools for a husband and wife to stay close throughout the ups and downs of a marriage relationship. Some 30 to 40 weekends are held annually around the world each with more than 20 couples participating. Weekends are 'private': each couple focussing on just their spouse.

Our Mission

We are an international ministry, serving by the grace of the one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In response to the call of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we:

  • Offer a 48-hour Marriage Encounter Weekend experience and continuing support activities.
  • Present practical, ongoing communication tools for couples seeking to strengthen their marriage.
  • Help a husband and wife, one man and one woman lawfully married, to grow in their relationship with each other, God, family, church, and community.
  • Exercise wise and effective use and stewardship of resources.


UME works with other organisations to encourage husbands and wives in their marriage relationships.  Examples are Marriage Resource and Promoting Marriage.


What is Marriage Encounter?

A charity organisation providing a 48-hour Weekend experience and continuing support activities which present practical, ongoing communication tools for couples seeking to strengthen their marriage. More details can be found at http://www.unitedmarriage.org, and if you are interested, please view the VIDEO, linked from the home page. A number of couples who have been on Marriage Encounter Weekends tell you a whole lot more about their personal experiences.

It is also a one-day course called 'Marriage Works' to encourage husband and wife to enjoy each other and their marriage.