Saved by the City The Risks of a Young Evangelical Marriage + Jen Hatmaker
Oct 24, 2025
In this insightful conversation, bestselling author Jen Hatmaker, known for her memoir 'Awake', shares her journey from a young evangelical marriage into a transformative singlehood. She delves into the pressures of marrying young in faith communities and discusses the unexpected gifts of independence after divorce. Jen critiques purity culture's impact on sexuality and reflects on how her spiritual awakening intertwined with her marriage collapse. She emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus, free from institutional constraints.
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Marriage Began In College Ministry
- Jen Hatmaker married at 19 after meeting in a college Bible ministry and later discovered her husband's infidelity, which began the unraveling of their marriage.
- Katelyn Beatty also married young at 20 and found parallels in how youthful faith and expectations shaped her marriage's breakdown.
Give Yourself Years To Settle First
- Wait before marrying young so you have time to settle into your identity, faith, and adult life.
- Build friendships and community outside marriage to develop autonomy and decision-making skills.
Divorce Led To Hard-Won Independence
- After 26 years of marriage, Jen Hatmaker describes being forced into singlehood and discovering profound freedom and agency in managing her life.
- She now trusts her choices, finances, and home and values a fulfilling relationship outside marriage while relishing independent space.
