Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family

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The Paul and Gladys Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family promotes and strengthens the Christian formation and commitment of marriages, families, and healthy relationships.

Logo for the Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family.

A Faulkner Center dinner with guests Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip.

Events and Initiatives

The Faulkner Center organizes and supports educational and community-building efforts for ACU faculty, staff and students and the broader community. Some of our ongoing initiatives include:

  • Marriage retreats
  • Brecheen and Faulkner Speaker Series
  • Healthy Relationships events for ACU students
  • Resources and education on marriage, family and healthy relationships
  • Community-building events for ACU faculty and staff and their families

Love that Lasts Podcast

Love that Lasts is a new podcast focused on dating, marriage and everything in between. Featuring guests like Bob Goff, Colt and Rachel McCoy, Jamie and Donna Winship and Tish Harrison Warren, the podcast is a space for engaging thoughtful conversations about how we can build stronger, healthier marriages, relationships and families.

Together, we unpack practical wisdom, real-life experiences and research-informed insights, all while grounding our conversations in a life of love as followers of Jesus. We talk about connection, communication, conflict, and commitment—always with the hope of reflecting a love that is faithful, sacrificial, and enduring.

The heart of the podcast is simple: to meet people right where they are and help them intentionally build a love that lasts.

Find Love that Lasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Contact the Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family

Heidi Morris, PhD, LPC, CFLE
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Studies
Director, The Paul and Gladys Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family
Phone: 325-674-3778
E-mail: faulknercenter@acu.edu

Dr. Faulkner and Dr. Brecheen engaged in a lively discussion.

Our History

The Faulkner Center was established in 2023 to honor the legacy of two ACU professors, Dr. Paul Faulkner and Dr. Carl Brecheen. Paul and Carl were best friends and ACU roommates, who, in 1974, teamed up to start the Marriage Enrichment seminar. These inspirational 3-day workshops were attended by over 90,000 participants in 33 states and 7 countries and distributed widely by video.

A portrait of Paul Faulkner and his wife Gladys.

Dr. Paul Faulkner

Dr. Paul Faulkner (’52) taught Bible at ACU for 35 years before retiring in 1992. After retirement, he continued to teach classes as an adjunct professor. In 1979, Paul founded the Marriage and Family Institute at ACU. He was married to his wife, Gladys, for 62 years.

A portrait of Carl Brecheen and his wife Smitty.

Dr. Carl Brecheen

Dr. Carl Brecheen (’52) was a professor of Bible at ACU from 1961-2007. His Family Relations course was completely full every semester. Brecheen directed ACU’s Bible Teachers Workshop and Lectureship (now known as Summit) for many years. He was married to his wife, Smitty, for 67 years.

Dr. Faulkner presenting at a Marriage Enrichment Seminar from a few decades ago.

Testimonials

“My husband and I attended several marriage seminars presented by the Brecheen/Faulkner team. Each time we were encouraged by their sincerity and genuine love for God, marriages, and families. What an honor to have been in their midst.” –Carolyn (Ficker ’66) Pylant

“I decided as a young adult to course-correct the family dynamics I was raised with and it all started with Dr. Brecheen’s advice for a good morning sendoff. I’ve added to that to always part with “I love you.” I’ve seen the fruits of these decisions for 42 years, across my son’s life and now to my granddaughter’s life. Our lives are different for generations because of Dr. Brecheen.” –Pat Maddox (’79)