Marriage Initiative
Request a Speaker
Contact one of these carefully selected speakers to address your group. Each resource speaker is equipped to bring you the best information on healthy relationships.
Sheila Bost, M.MFT, has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Masters in Speech Pathology, is a Family Life Educator, and is certified by the National Council on Family Relations. Sheila's Primary Relationships seminars and her workshops have been presented in a wide variety of community and religious settings. She speaks on communication skills, parenting, chronic illness, and marriage enrichment. Santa Monica, CA.
Susan K. Giboney, M.A., has over 20 years of experience teaching in college and church settings. She is certified in the DISC Couples Profile, as a Parent Effectiveness Trainer, as a family life educator, and as an early childhood assessor. She teaches premarital, marriage and parenting seminars/classes. Susan is a popular teacher for women's seminars and retreats, parent groups, and premarital classes. Malibu, CA.
Clifford Penner, Ph.D. and Joyce Penner, M.N., are internationally recognized sexual therapists, educators and authors. They use a team approach to teach sex education in various schools, lead sexual enhancement weekend for couples, lecture on human sexuality at universities, and train fellow professionals. The Penners have authored eight books, including:The Gift of Sex: A Couple's Guide to Sexual Fulfillment, Restoring the Pleasure, Men and Sex, and Getting Your Sex Life Off to a Great Start. Pasadena, CA.
H. Norman Wright, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is the former director of the Graduate Department of Marriage, Family and Child Counseling at Biola University. He is the author of over sixty books including: The Power of a Parent's Words, Quiet Times for Couples, Recovering from the Losses of Life, Speaking Your Spouse's Language, and the Premarital Counseling Handbook. He conducts seminars on parenting, recovering from the losses of life, trauma and crisis counseling, and marriage enrichment. Bakersfield, CA.
Charlene Underhill Miller, Ph.D. is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in private practice with more than 20 years' experience. She regularly offers workshops for schools, churches, and other organizations. She presents on parenting, communication skills, healing from trauma and abuse, intimate relationships, and women's issues. Santa Monica, CA.
Tim Smith has been working with children, youth and families for thirty years as he speaks, writes, and coaches families throughout the United States. Tim has written over a dozen books, including:The Seven Cries of Today's Teens, The Relaxed Parent, Life Skills for Girls, and Life Skills for Guys– Connecting Teens and Parents. He speaks on the teenage years, families, parenting, and youth ministry. Thousand Oaks, CA.
Hannah Parmelee, MS MFT completed a BA in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. She currently serves as the program director of the Relationship IQ Project at the Boone Center for the Family. Hannah is certified in the Prepare/Enrich Inventories, PREP, and Family Wellness. She speaks on young adult relationships, premarital relationships, and parenting. Malibu, CA.
David Congo, Ph.D. and Janet Congo, LMFT are Co-founders of e-LifeMates, an International Marriage Ministry dedicated to the celebration of marriage. Between them they have authored thirteen books including: LifeMates: A Lover's Guide for a Lifetime Relationship and One Good Year of Marriage: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Marriage. They are certified Life Planners and Trainers for PREP, PAIRS, Prepare/Enrich. Laguna Niguel, CA.
Ron Deal, M.MFT, is a licensed therapist, family educator, and family minister, and the Founder of Successful Stepfamilies.com. Ron authored the book The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family and has been a featured guest on numerous national TV and radio programs including Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. He speaks on stepfamilies, couples, parenting, family ministry, and provides training in the PREPARE/ENRICH Inventory. Jonesboro, Arkansas.
David Stoop, Ph.D. and Jan Stoop, Ph.D. are both clinical psychologists as well as authors, writing over 25 books including: The Complete Marriage Book, When Couples Pray Together, The Complete Parenting Book, and Forgiving the Unforgivable. Seminar and retreat topics include the role of forgiveness in marriage, couples prayer, spiritual foundations in marriage, generational patterns, and personality differences. Newport Beach, CA.
Judy Balswick, Ph.D. and Jack Balswick, Ph.D. have taught in the Marriage and Family Program at Fuller Theological Seminary for the past twenty years. Judy is a licensed marriage and family therapist and she conducts workshops on parenting, marriage and relationship issues. Jack is a sociologist and specializes in men's issues, gender, child & family development, marriage and family life. Pasadena, CA.
Gordon Taylor, M.F.T. and Carri Taylor, C.S.T., speak on stepfamily development, divorce recovery, communication skills, temperament differences and other relational topics. Gordon is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; Carri is a Certified Communication Skills Trainer and Life Coach. They have an eight-part VHS/DVD Series and Study Guide on Stepfamilies. Oklahoma City,OK.
Claudia Arp and David Arp, MSW, are founders of Marriage Alive International, conference speakers, columnists, and authors of over 30 books including the Gold Medallion Award-winning The Second Half of Marriage. Their 10 Great Dates program received the 2005 SmartMarriages' Impact award as the most used marriage education program in the US. Their Marriage Alive Seminar is popular across the US. They live in Northern Virginia.
Jerry Jones, Th.D. and Lynn Jones, M.S. possess a combination of biblical, academic, and practical qualifications. Both professional educators and dynamic communicators, Jerry and Lynn bring humor and insight to their presentations and guarantee that you will truthfully evaluate yourself and your family relationships. Since beginning their Marriage Matters series in 1996, they have spoken to thousands of people across the United States. St. Louis, Missouri.
Mitch Temple is a licensed marriage and family therapist and serves as Lead Manager over marriage programs at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. Mitch is a talented speaker and writer and an experienced consultant to churches, parachurch ministries and professional associations. He also conducts 3-day intensive workshops nationwide for couples in crisis. Colorado Springs, CO.
Suzy Brown is a midlife divorce survivor on a mission to help. Her positive attitude, humor and faith in God have been put to use ministering to women who find themselves faced with divorce at midlife. She has authored several books including Radical Recovery: Transforming the Despair of Your Divorce into an Unexpected Good and a companion individual/group Workbook. She speaks at churches, parishes, business conferences, womens retreats and facilitates her own day or weekend-long Divorce Recovery Boot Camps to help women jump start the healing process. Kansas City, MO.
Keli Finnerty, Ph.D is a communication professor at Pepperdine University where she researchers the influence that media messages can have on children, adolescents and families. Keli enjoys helping parents and youths become more media-savvy - teaching them how to protect themselves against harmful effects of media use while maximizing the positive. She can speak on the influence of advertising, sexual messages, violent content, video games, and internet use for all ages and groups.
Curt and Rhonda Hamner speak together, as well as individually, consulting with Churches and non profits in the area of marriage, family ministry, and parenting. Rhonda is one of the the highest rated speakers for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOP) in Southern California and Curt has been addressing the issues of men and fathers for years. Founded in 2000, the Hamners started the ministry of Between Two Trees Bed and Breakfast with a Purpose Retreats. Drawing on years of counseling experience, current research, and biblical foundations, the Hamners provide practical opportunities for couples to gain and strengthen their marriage.
Dennis Lowe, Ph.D. and Emily Scott-Lowe, Ph.D. , both of Pepperdine University, are nationally known marriage and relationship specialists and presenters. Dennis and Emily's presentations are practical, informative, and fun. Their presentations are designed to help couples and families develop more satisfying and lasting relationships. They are popular speakers for marriage enrichment, parenting, and family life education. Malibu, CA.
