Excerpted from Devotions For Couples (Zondervan)

After Hurricane Andrew, the devastating 1992 storm that ravaged South Florida, many people began rebuilding their churches even before their own homes and businesses. Why would they do that?

Consider how the church meets the needs of our families: Weddings, baptisms, communion, confirmations, funerals, fellowship dinners, evangelistic outreaches, worship services, preaching, hymns, choir, spiritual education, ministry opportunities, accountability, softball leagues, small groups, Sunday school classes, special classes, conferences, retreats, women's groups, men's groups, nursery, Mother's day out, and hospital visits. No institution supports marriage and family like the church.

Consider for a moment what America would look like without the church. Where would be the great hospitals, schools, and universities? Where would be the soup lines, the coalitions for the homeless, the rescue missions? Would anyone be doing inner city youth work or providing homes for unwed mothers? Where would be the voices calling out for abstinence from premarital sex or the right to life? Who would be the voice of justice, and the hands of mercy? Who would be the feet of the gospel of salvation? Who would be the light in the darkness, the salt seeking to preserve society and culture? As someone said, "The church has many critics, but no rivals."