Kirk Cameron portrayed trouble-making, fun-loving teen Mike Seaver on the 1980s TV sitcom "Growing Pains."
His on-screen character's hijinks often flummoxed his psychologist father, played by Alan Thicke.
Now two decades removed from his most famous TV role, Cameron has taken a different path.
Cameron, 41, a father of six, is an evangelist attempting to teach people how to share their faith and live out a gospel-centered marriage. He is currently presenting Love Worth Fighting For, an event designed to strengthen and encourage traditional marriages.
The Love Worth Fighting For tour, which also features musician Warren Barfield, comes to Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, Va., at 6 p.m. Saturday and Trinity Assembly of God in Lanham at 6 p.m. July 29.
"Marriage is something nobody wants to fail at," Cameron said via telephone Tuesday, "and we want to give you hope. We want to show you how to have a strong, happy and healthy marriage."
Cameron's ministry includes "The Way of the Master" television series, which airs in 20 different languages all over the world. He also founded Camp Firefly, a California-based facility for terminally- and seriously-ill children.
He's spoken out against gay marriage, telling CNN host Piers Morgan "it's detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization" in comments that aired on "Piers Morgan Tonight" in March. But Cameron is focused on helping everyone in traditional marriages keep a lasting bond.
Cameron has been married to Chelsea Noble, his fellow "Growing Pains" co-actor, for more than 20 years. He shared with the Times why he believes how common marriage pitfalls can be addressed.
Unwillingness to admit a mistake
The issue: Cameron said he often gets asked what the secret to a successful marriage is. It's not difficult, he said. By swallowing pride and acknowledging mistakes, a discussion can take place rather than a heated argument where blame is cast.
Quotable: "It just requires being honest with yourself and not pointing the finger at others and looking into your own heart," he said.
Thinking differences are irreconcilable
The issue: More than 800,000 annulments and divorces have been filed in the United States every year since 2000, according to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Disputes and differences lead to separation far too often, Cameron said. Marriages can be saved, Cameron said.
Quotable: "We have couples who have been separated and couples that have come to our marriage event because they really don't want to fail with it," Cameron said. "There's a way to fix it. There's a way to make it work."
