My Story

Let me start with the ending: I am so passionate about The Imperfect Wives. I thank God for allowing Cherie and this ministry to be an instrument in my life.

I am originally from Australia and immigrated to America when I met my husband (a Navy Corpsman) on a holiday. We were both just 20 years old when we met, then married after spending two weeks total in person over an eight-month international courting period. We certainly had quite the challenge ahead of us!

I personally grew up in a Christian home however I met my husband during my rebellious years: the years where I never lost my faith in God, but I did not want to feel convicted to forgo the world to follow the Word.

1. Marriage

2. Immigration

3. Military life

All three listed above are challenging on their own, but it was the combination of these with the addition of becoming parents, that the foundation of my faith started piercing through the cracks and I knew I needed to get back into church and raise my son in the Lord. Unfortunately, that caused a lot of additional tension in my marriage as my husband did not have the same beliefs.

When I joined The Imperfect Wives for the first time in 2013, I simply desired to learn how to be the wife and mother God asked of me. I knew re-establishing my relationship with God was important, but what I did not know then, was that I would be needing Cherie's council just a year later as I fought for my marriage.

What does “fighting for my marriage” mean? Let me give you a little more detail of what made this ministry stand out, and what makes it so unique (and impactful).

The further I sort God, the further the divide deepened between my husband and me. I remember seeking out a Christian councilor at the time, because I knew I needed more help, and I needed things to change! There was a day, the counselor asked me a question, it was this question that changed everything; “what are you going to do about it”? Initially I interpreted that question as a push towards divorce, being the answer that I was avoiding, an answer to the problem most others would recommend also. Thankfully, I asked myself a new one, “what do I want”? My answer was the same it had always been, yet the response in my heart was different, it felt more like a goal. “I want the husband I have, and I want my son to have his mother and father. I do not want to divide this family”. It was easy to want, it just felt so unrealistic and unattainable.

It was this question and this answer that lead me to revert to Cherie's council and stop seeking help from outside sources. Why? Because she was the only person who told me I could fight for my marriage God's way instead of letting go and walking away or feeling like there was nothing I could do to change the situation if I stayed.

You see, anyone can you tell you that your marriage is not healthy, but not everyone will take it the step further and tell you how to fight for unhealthy to become healthy with God and then actually walk with you through it. As Cherie says often:

Without sharing all the details, I saw my marriage redeemed. It was and is to this day, the hardest road I have walked and continue to walk, yet in each painful, dark and challenging season I have encouragement and discipleship from Cherie who continues to be a source that points me to Jesus, and I desire for this opportunity to be available to any woman who desires the same.

The Ministry Vision

“My passion to teach broken women who they truly are in Christ and show them they still have a hope and a future to reach for. And I teach from right where I have been and where I am today, imperfections and all.”                                                                                                 -- Cherie Zack

Cherie has been walking in the trenches (the really hard stuff) with wives since 2006 via one-on-one coaching and group sessions, Imperfect Wives online and local groups, speaking at Women's Ministry events and hosting her Marriage Boot Camp conference at churches. In all of this she is standing with wives teaching them how to save their marriage with the same biblical principles that God taught her when she was fighting for her own. 

The mission is to continue the same work She has been doing but on a greater scale by expanding the reach to local churches and communities starting in West Florida, where is Cherie is located and Tennessee which Michelle is moving too. 

Once our budgets are raised and we are released to go on the missions field the focus will be the following areas of ministry:

• Reaching more women: wives who are experiencing a crisis in their marriage and staying quiet about it, those who have a desire to grow in their relationship with God and their husband, and women who have a desire to be married and want to start off with solid footing.

• Inspiring wives who are in crisis to fight for their marriage instead of giving up on it and to Stand through the trial. It's not easy to do but they are and results are life changing for both husband and wife. 

• Mobilizing churches in this area of ministry by offering to bring Imperfect Wives Groups to their church and community to meet this incredible need in a very tangible way. 

I have seen so many wives’ hearts turn back to their husband and grow closer to God as I work with them. 

Ministry Events

Some of Cherie’s speaking engagements include Women’s Ministry Events, Leadership trainings, Mother Daughter Teas and more. Her events have been both nationally and internationally in Countries as Cambodia and Honduras. Upcoming events include Marriage conference in Nairobi Africa, Texas USA and soon Mexico. She also has a nationally syndicated radio program that has been picked up by close to 200 radio stations around the United States and most recently has been picked up by India.

My Involvement

My heart is for this ministry because I have the personal testimony of the impact it has. I have been committed by volunteering for over ten years and have recently led a local group in my community.

As the Lord took me through this season, I was able to see the same fruit come forth that I experienced when I joined my first group those many years ago.

What is the fruit?

-          A safe and private place to share the intricacies of marriage,

-          Like-minded women who the desire to seek God for the health and restoration of the marriage,

-          Mentorship through seasons of change or trial,

-          Accountability that is filled with truth and love,

-          Testimonies to encourage and give God glory,

-          Powerful prayer partners and

-          Development of family like community and support.

As Stormie Omartian says, “each one of us always needs to change in many ways, some more than others, but God will start with the one who is willing.” This is what we walk out at The Imperfect Wives as we choose to be ones who are willing.

Local Group Testimonies

My Role

Matthew 9:36-38 NLT “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

I am overjoyed to be making a new commitment with the ministry this year by stepping into the position of Missionary Associate alongside Cherie and The Imperfect Wives team.

So, Why me? During a more recent season of difficulty in my marriage, I cried out to the Lord and asked “Why? Why do I have to endure this, AGAIN?” I was alone, in tears and heard an immediate response within my spirit so clearly. It was firm but loving, “There are women who need you to go through this”. That was it. Very matter-a-fact. I knew just what He meant. God was confirming there are women who are and will be going through trials like mine that will need a woman of faith who has personally walked through these hardships and come out the other side with a testimony of Gods power to save, coupling empathy with the hope of Jesus amidst the trial. Just like God did the same starting with Cherie’s testimony. She notes, “What I didn’t know then is God wasn’t just teaching me how to fight for my marriage -He was getting me ready to fight for marriages all over the world.” Just like the first trial I walked through in imperfect obedience and saw redemption, I am again saying yes to Gods request! Genesis 50:20 (NIV) clearly affirms what is taking place through both our testimonies and trials, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”.

As Missionary Associate, I will assist Cherie in her mission field and fall under her leadership. Support includes but is not limited to:

• photography, social media management, content creation, marketing, interviews, video content creation and editing, leaders trainings and coordinating, other administration needs, intercessory prayer involvement, merchandise sales management and PA support for travel events.

Your Opportunity

Would you pray about partnering with me financially in raising my missionary budget, which will allow me to support Cherie as she supports us!

Your gift of any amount will help us reach more wives who want to learn how to fight biblically to save their marriage. Follow this link here to set up a one-time or reoccurring payment through PayPal.

Please keep our family in prayer as they too step into ministry with me. We know the enemy will try to kill, steal and destroy but with a hedge of protection, what the enemy plans for evil, God will use for good! 

My Testimonial