Ruth Institute Blog

Dear Dr. Roback Morse and Jamie,

I have been meaning to write you this email for some time now, I apologize for the delay.

I wanted to share with you an experience I had on the flight home after the conference in San Diego with the Ruth Institute. I was, unfortunately, the very last person to board my full Southwest Airlines flight back to St. Louis. Once I found my seat (the only seat left), I buckled up and quickly pulled out my white binder full of the materials from the conference. Maybe this is the nerd in me, but I love to read, learn and learn some more.

As I flipped through the journals, the gentleman sitting next to me asked if I was in law school. With a smirk, I shook my head and explained that I was just brushing up on some literature. He queried further and began laughing aloud when I told him I attended a conference on why marriage was a social and economic good, amongst other things. He replied that he was shocked that I was sitting next to him, as he was a firm non-believer in marriage!

The rest of the flight, I was able to eloquently (only thanks to ITAF) explain all that I had learned from the conference, show him the proof, and show him my enthusiasm for marriage between a man and a woman. He still looked puzzled and said, “But you’re single; you’re not even married! Why do you care?” What a great opening, right? I further explained how the social and economic goods of marriage benefit everyone, especially the future inhabitants of this world whether they be married or single, an adult or child.

This young gentleman has since kept in contact with me via email and has admitted that the conversation has changed his perspective, albeit a slow change, but still it’s a change.
And so, I thank you, the fantastic presenters, and the Ruth Institute for enlightening, teaching and supporting us all in attendance at the conference.

In Christ,
Leah Darrow

A Message from Executive Director, Jamie Gruber

Dear Marriage Champions,

A year ago we had no idea the impact that ITAF conferences were going to have on students across America! Since our first annual conference in August 2009, we have seen students at different colleges take the message of lifelong married love to their campus in unique and creative ways. We have received many messages like the one above from students who are now confident to speak about marriage because they attended one of our conferences.

For an example of the impact these conferences have, watch this video from the conference held at BYU.

Please get involved with these students by supporting them with scholarships to come to our conference in August 2010. Our average cost per student is about $1,500. Will you support one?

Maybe you would like to support the students by giving a gift of $250 for a travel grant, or $100 that will provide free educational materials to students such as Dr. Morse’s book Love and Economics: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village.

Or perhaps you would like to provide assistance to these students throughout the year with a monthly gift of $25, $50 or even a $100. With a monthly gift we can help these students bring speakers and student activities that build a culture of marriage to their campus. Can we count on your monthly gift for student initiatives?

Thank you for your support! These students wouldn’t have the success stories they have without you!

Jamie Gruber
Executive Director