ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — There’s an adage in firefighting, “Never leave your partner behind.”

It’s a saying about the bond between those who run into burning buildings when everyone else is fleeing.

The saying is also the subtitle of the movie, “Fireproof.” The inspirational film about rebuilding a marriage will be shown Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Robertsdale at 18200 Highway 104 West.

The church is hosting a showing of the film and holding a seperate marriage retreat, says Mary Nevitt, chair of the retreat.

The price is certainly right.

“The admission is a small bag of nonperishable items,” said Nevitt, who added that the food will be used to make “family boxes” at the church’s food bank. Child care “from babies to 6th grade” will be provided.

For couples who wish to wish to take the lesson of the movie a few steps further, the church will have copies of “The Love Dare” available to purchase. The book is referenced in the movie.

“The book is a 40-day journey to rebuild intimacy or take a marriage to the next level,” said Nevitt.

The group will meet three times over the next few weeks to “…go over what we have learned,” said Nevitt.

On April 3 and 4 the church will sponsor a marriage retreat at Camp Baldwin. The cost of the retreat is $137 which covers the cost of the room and meals, and those with questions may call Nevitt at 752-0353.

“Randy Johnson and his wife, Janie, will be teaching during the marriage retreat,” said Nevitt. She added that Johnson is a minister and adjunct professor at the University of Mobile.

On April 5, The Rev. Jeff Copeland, pastor of First Baptist Church in Robertsdale will perform a renewal of vows for couples who wish to do that.

“We’re hoping that there will be marriages healed or at least made stronger,” said Nevitt.

Nevitt added that many marriages today are under attack from things in the outside world.

“To me,” said Cindy Parker, “marriage is the foundation of the home and the community.” Parker is helping to organize the event, which she says has been in the “back of the mind” of church leaders since the film came out in 2008.

For Nevitt, this is the first time she’s had charge of such an event. But she knows about the challenges couples face.

“We (Nevitt and her husband Tim) renewed our vows at out 25th anniversary, about four years ago,” said Nevitt.

“It was special,” continued Nevitt, adding that the couple’s grown daughters, Mandy White and Tanya Nevitt stood up with their parents at the renewal ceremony.

“Renewing vows can be a special time for a couple,” Nevitt says.

“The first time was so stressful,” said Nevitt, adding that the newly married couple had to get to where they were going to live shortly after the ceremony.

“We could relax and enjoy it,” said Nevitt. “and you really appreciate the vows after 25 years of marriage.”