Celebrating 17 Years of American Marriage Ministries!

On July 4th, 2026, American Marriage Ministries celebrates our 17th anniversary as an online church and nonprofit organization! We opened our virtual doors with a humble mission and three core beliefs: that all people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, have the right to marry; that it is the right of every couple to choose who will solemnize their marriage; and that all people have the right to solemnize marriage. Look how far our faith in love has brought us!

Today, we’ve ordained almost two million ministers across the United States. AMM ministers have performed millions of weddings and elopements – creating new rituals and traditions for interfaith and intercultural families along the way. You’ve counseled new families, and helped build supportive, nurturing communities. 

Related: Online Ordination: Reviews for American Marriage Ministries

Here’s a look back at some of the meaningful things we’ve accomplished together as a church and a force for good. These successes are thanks to you – our incredible family of ministers. We wouldn’t be here without your dedication and service! 

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Ordination and Community 

• Free online ordination for any adult who feels called to officiate weddings
• Almost two million ordained ministers across the United States and beyond
• Millions of couples married by inclusive AMM ministers of all faiths
• Frequent network-building events in-person and online for our ministers 
• Monthly newsletters with curated ceremony resources, course offerings, and legal updates
• A growing global community of ministers beyond the United States, including symbolic weddings and vow renewals performed internationally

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In 2019, American Marriage Ministries headed to Tennessee. Legislators there had just passed an unjust law that discriminated against online-ordained ministers. We hosted a series of in-person ordination events to bring attention to the unjust legislation and protect the rights of ministers. (Photo taken in Jackson, TN, with AMM Founder Glen Yoshioka assisting ministers)

Minister Training and Education

• Educational resources helping ministers understand marriage laws in all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories
• Long-term relationships with county clerks, legislators, and legal advocates across the U.S., enabling us to share up-to-date knowledge with our ministers
• Support tools for first-time wedding officiants, including step-by-step guides for performing a wedding ceremony
• Unique in person Officiant Accelerator events, providing comprehensive training and support for our ministers performing marriage as professional wedding officiants
• Professional development resources for officiants building their own wedding ceremony businesses
• Free online training courses, including Officiants Online and Intro to Officiating Class
• Thousands of free and accessible wedding ceremony scripts and resources created and shared with our community of ministers and couples
• Expanded Spanish-language resources for minister ordination, ceremony planning and professional development 

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Officiants Chris Shelley and Rev. Dr. Samora Smith speak to a group of professional wedding officiants at an Officiant Accelerator training event. 

Advocacy and Minister Rights

• Defending the First Amendment rights of our ministers and couples to practice their faith and choose their own marriage rituals
• Ongoing legal-recognition efforts and court victories to defend our ministers’ rights in jurisdictions across the U.S.
• Advocacy work supporting marriage equality for LGBTQ+, interracial, and disabled Americans, and the right to officiate regardless of religion, gender, or background
• Continuing support for our LGBTQ+ ministers, staff, and families (with countless Pride events over the years!)
• Charitable donations to  a variety of organizations we’re proud to support, including Adopt a Classroom, American Civil Liberties Union, Innocence Project, Lambda Legal, Wildlife Conservation Network, YouthCare, and many more. 

Related: See past "yearbooks", featuring top articles and our AMM staff photos! 

Looking forward to many more years of love, service, and celebration. 

AMM staff having fun at Wedding MBA, Las Vegas! Including Marketing and Events Manager Marisa Correa, AMM's CEO Lewis King, and our incredible Customer Support Member & Spanish Translator Esperanza. Joined by Officiant Jimmie Berguin, the face of AMM's Professional Wedding Officiant Course! 

AMM staff visit a local coffee shop close to the office in Pioneer Square, Seattle for an afternoon caffeine boost: Lewis King, Esperanza, Samantha, and Daniel. (Photo by Jessica Levey)