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.
Sharon Hargrave is the Executive Director for the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both California and Texas. In her secondary role as Director and Founder of Strong Marriages/Successful Ministries at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena California she also teaches as an adjunct instructor for the Marriage and Family Therapy Department. Sharon loves her work with couples and individuals in ministry and believes strongly that what we learn about ourselves in our closest relationships transforms who we are and how we interact with others in the work place, as parents, as ministers, in our families or any other relational context.
Sheila Bost, M.MFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice on the West side of Los Angeles. Her seminars have been presented in a wide variety of community and religious settings nationwide. Her topics are diverse, ranging from marriage, parenting, communication, sex, to chronic illness --- all issues that may effect relationships. She particularly enjoys teaching parents how to talk more comfortably to their own children about sexuality. Participants describe her presentations as "real, pragmatic... coupled with a genuine, loving, faithful and caring heart that makes for an engaging dialogue." West Los Angeles, 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 completed a BA in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. She currently serves as the Relationship IQ Program Director at the Boone Center for the Family. Hannah speaks on young adult relationships, marriage, parenting, spiritual development, intergenerational relationships, women's issues, and family ministry. Malibu, CA.
Anne W. Lee, M.A., LMFT, has over 20 years of working in Church lay leadership and is a popular seminar speaker for contemporary programming in the areas of family ministry, marriage preparation and enrichment, parenting support groups, women's ministries and retreats in churches throughout the Los Angeles and Ventura areas. She maintains an active private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialty in working with women struggling in their life transitions and with new and seasoned couples who may be in crisis or just in "tune-up" mode.
Bert Ballard, Ph.D. and Sarah Ballard, M.A. and NCC, are both part of Pepperdine University's Communication Division, are internationally known experts, trainers, and speakers on international and transracial adoption. Bert commonly hosts cross-disciplinary and cross-sector dialogues and discussions about the future of international adoption, is published in a wide variety of scholarly journals on adoption, and has a book for teen adoptees. They speak together or individually and can tailor their presentations and workshops to scholarly, professional, church, ministry, education, adoptive parents (prospective or current), and adoptee-only settings or combination of the above.
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 thirty years. Judy is a licensed marriage and family therapist and she conducts workshops on parenting, marriage, sexuality and relationship issues. Jack is a sociologist and specializes in men's issues, gender, child & family development, marriage and family life. Jack and Judy enjoy presenting a Biblical Model of Resilient Relationships to churches and at marriage and family retreats. 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-Myers, 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.
Anthony J. Fischetto, M.Div., Ed.D. Licensed Psychologist and Cheryl A. Fischetto, MBA speak on Enhancing Relationships. Some specific topics include: conflict resolution, active listening, how to argue effectively, communication skills, enhancing intimacy, personality styles, stress management, and developing a greater friendship with your spouse. Reading, PA.
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.
Robert Scholz, MA, LMFT, Robert Scholz is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional counselor who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adolescents, young adults and families. Robert currently serves in Pepperdine University's Counseling Center as the Assistant Director and Alcohol and Other Drug Program Coordinator and teaches in Pepperdine's Graduate School of Psychology.
