Rodney Cox

Rodney Cox is president and founder of Ministry Insights International, a ministry whose mission is to transform relationships globally. This mission is driven by his love for pastors, church staff, couples, and families. His heart's desire is to unify the Body of Christ by helping people throughout the world understand and lead from their strengths.

The Leading From Your Strength message has impacted more than 250,000 individuals and hundreds of teams both nationally and internationally as part of the growing Leading From Your Strength movement.

Rodney is a compelling speaker who challenges his audiences to build relationships based on their God-given strengths. He brings a profound understanding to how differences can complete and unite relationships, rather than divide them.

Rodney and his wife Beth were married in 1984 and live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with their two daughters.

Speaking Topics
  • Different by Design
 Consulting Topics
  • Leading From Your Strengths
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Dr. John Trent

Dr. Trent is founding president of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to strengthening marriage and family relationships worldwide. Dr. Trent is a bestselling author and popular speaker with over 25 years experience serving and strengthening families. John and his wife Cindy live in Phoenix, AZ, have been married since 1979 and have two daughters. John has spoken to over 100,000 people in over 65 major cities in the past five years alone, as well as 750,000 men at Promise Keepers conferences. He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen award winning and best-selling books – including The Blessing, The Language of Love, Heart Shift, and Breaking the Cycle of Divorce. His most recent books include The 2 Degree Difference, Superhero Swamp, (a children’s book), and Skinny Rabbits.

Speaking Topics
  • The Blessing - The Need to Belong

  • Different by Design

  • EXTREME(ly Great) MARRIAGES

  • EXTREME(ly Great) PARENTING

  • The 2 Degree Difference
 Consulting Topics
  • Building a Faith@Home Ministry Team
  • Developing an Integrated Faith @Home Strategy
  • Launching a StrongFamilies® Faith@Home Center
  • Building Strong Workplace Teams
  • Leading from your Strengths
  • LifeMapping®
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Cindy Trent

Cindy Trent tops our speaker’s list for women’s groups and retreats! She’s been married to John for almost 30 years, and worked alongside him in ministry during all those years. Cindy has spoken at women’s retreats, mother-daughter events, and many other parenting and marriage events.

Cindy Trent has her Masters Degree in Education from Texas Woman’s University, and her B.S. in Home Economics at University of Arizona. She has endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood Education and ESL (English as a Second Language). Cindy has written two books, one for wife’s, and one for children (How to Be Your Husband's Best Friend, with Kay Bolin, and The Treasure Tree, co-authored with John Trent and Gary and Norma Smalley). She has taught bible studies, raised two wonderful daughters and is a wonderful wife to John!
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Kurt Bruner


 Kurt Bruner is a graduate of Talbot Seminary who spends most of his time as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. He and Olivia host the HomePointe ministry helping create a culture of intentional families. Kurt also serves as Executive Director for the StrongFamilies® Innovation Alliance, a network of leading churches driving new strategies for impacting the home. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Kurt spent twenty years with Focus on the Family where he was Vice President over films, books, magazines, radio drama, broadcasting, internet and other media groups. He also co-founded the Heritage Builders Association - a ministry that motivates and equips parents to pass a strong spiritual legacy to the next generation.

Speaking Topics
  • Growing Faith@Home - Becoming intentional about your child’s faith
  • The Minivan Years - Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Parenthood
  • Raising Kids in a Virtual World - Navigating gaming, texting and electronic media
  • Finding God in the Land of Narnia- Baptizing your child’s spiritual imagination
Consulting Topics
  • Building a Faith@Home Ministry Team
  • Developing an Integrated Faith@Home Strategy
  • Launching a StrongFamilies® Faith@Home Center
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Olivia Bruner


 Olivia Bruner is a former school teacher who now speaks to moms about the hectic joys of parenthood. She is the author of several books including The Minivan Years and Playstation Nation. A frequent guest on national radio programs including Focus on the Family and Family Life Today, Olivia serves on the faculty of The Center for StrongFamilies ®. The Bruners are parents of three boys and a girl ages seven to eighteen.

Speaking Topics
  • Growing Faith@Home - Becoming intentional about your child’s faith
  • How to Mess-up Your Child's Life - Proven Strategies, Practical Tips
  • The Minivan Years - Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Parenthood
  • Raising Kids in a Virtual World - Navigating gaming, texting and electronic media
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Ryan Rush

Ryan Rush is the Senior Pastor at Bannockburn Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He has been speaking and writing on effective home life for over two decades, and has shared the practical truths of God's Word with thousands of families across the United States. Ryan served as the Family Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, before moving to Austin. He has hosted radio and television programs on the subject of family life, and is the author of Home on Time: Life Management by the Book - a look at Psalm 90 that is helping lead families away from the chaos caused by living within the framework of a disorganized life.

Since his arrival at Bannockburn in 2004, Ryan has led the implementation of a comprehensive, cross-generational effort to connect church and home life. The “Faith Breakthroughs” process that serves as the centerpiece of this strategy has become a launching point for other churches with the same family-centered goals.

Ryan and his wife, Lana, have three daughters.

Speaking Topics
  • The Power of No – Balancing the challenges of family life
  • Making a Good Home Great! – Marriage secrets to make it last
Consulting Topics
  • Faith Breakthrough! – Living life the way God intended
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Tim Smith

Tim Smith is President of Life Skills for American Families, a non-profit (501c3) organization dedicated to challenging the issues that harm families, and building strength and health into families.

With a background in children’s, youth and family ministry, Tim Smith brings humor and a real-life perspective to his popular presentations. In addition to his conference speaking, he has authored fourteen books, including Fast Families (Bethany House) and The Seven Cries of Today’s Teen (Integrity Media). Tim is a Research Fellow with the George H. Gallup International Institute of Princeton. His M.A. is from Biola University where he met his wife – Suzanne, who now teaches elementary school. They have been married since 1978 and have two young adult daughters and an “empty nest”!

Speaking Topics
  • Connecting With Your Kids – How fast families can move from chaos to closeness
  • The Danger of Raising ‘Nice Kids’ - preparing your children to change their world
  • Raising Kids in Challenging Economic Times – Growing kids from the inside out
  • 7 Cries of Today's Teens - Hearing their hearts - Make the connection
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Dr. Tony Wheeler

Dr. Tony Wheeler is an expert on family strengths and family dynamics. He is the Executive Director for the Dr. John Trent Institute for the Blessing based on the campus of Barclay College in Haviland, KS. Dr. Wheeler has been a pastor and counselor for 18 years, a speaker for 14 years, and he has seen many relationships repaired and individuals healed through his counseling ministry and seminars. Tony has a Masters in Family Therapy/Studies and a Ph.D. in Family Life Education and Consultation from Kansas State University. Dr. Wheeler has worked with Dr. John Trent for the last five years teaching seminars and helping individuals, marriages, and families find hope and healing. He has been married to his wife, Stacey, for 22 years and they have three children, ages 21, 19, and 15.

Speaking Topics
  • Blueprints 4 Marriage™
  • Blueprints 4 Parenting™
  • Blueprints 4 Families with Special Needs Children™
Consulting Topics
  • Coffee Cup Coaching™ Training
  • Coffee Cup Coaching™ Seminar
  • Leading From Your Strengths Seminar
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Kari Trent

Kari Trent is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University in California and received both a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration from Azusa Pacific. She is Dr. John Trent’s oldest daughter, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Product Development for StrongFamilies®. As the founder of KL Consulting, she provides marketing, team building, and business solutions for ministries and small businesses. Kari works with students and college campuses to educate students on their God-given strengths and how to improve relationships. Her passion is for helping strengthen women, both youth and working professionals.

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Dr. Julie Verner, Ph.D.

If anyone knows the challenges of parenting and family life, Dr. Julie Verner certainly does! As a married mother of three who balances her busy life at home in Southern California with the rigors of a growing career, she is intimately acquainted with both the joys and demands of contemporary life with children. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, a Master’s degree in Theology, and a broad base of experience in church ministry, she is dedicated to addressing the needs of young families. Her training as a clinician allows her to teach with great insight. Actively participating in family life, alongside her husband, Jeff, brings a quality to her work that is authentic and down-to-earth. This is particularly evident in her reflections on the challenging arena of work-life balance. Julie pursues family life with deep commitment and brings family teaching that is indicative of her dedication to families and to the Christian faith.

Speaking Topics
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Parenting and Temperament
  • Control and Support in Parenting
  • Motivating Your Kids
  • Parenting: Count to Ten
  • The Juggled Life with Kids
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Steve Cesari

Steve Cesari is a leading expert on health, high-performance, and entrepreneurial effectiveness. As President of Vital Visions Inc, Steve uses his passion and experience to mentor, consult and equip others seeking to maximize their potential in all areas of life.

From owning his own sporting goods stores to the start up of the first warehouse sporting goods concept, he has built a proven track record in the business community. Steve started Trillium Health Products, marketer of the Juiceman Juicer. Inc. Magazine named Trillium one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. In that same year Cesari was nominated “Entrepreneur of the Year.” He and his company were the topic of many articles in Fortune, People, Success, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and many others.

Steve serves on the Board of Directors of The Leadership Companies and Pro Athletes Outreach, helping to equip individuals to make a positive impact at home, at work, and in the community. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with Indy, his wife of 29 years. They have 4 grown children.

Consulting Topics
  • How to Stay up in a Down Economy
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Extreme(ly Great) Marriages

Couples will find out their unique, God-given strengths, how to blend and value each others differences, how to deal with four predictable areas of conflict, keys to communicating more effectively, deal with past hurts, and learn to “bless” and build up their spouse. The seminar ends with Dr Trent’s powerful message on The 2 Degree Difference, giving couples a “can’t miss” next step when they go home from the event! WE BUILD THE SEMINAR AROUND YOUR CHURCH AND NEEDS. From a Friday night, Saturday until noon event – to an all day Saturday seminar – we can make the seminar work to first what’s best for your church or community.
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Extremely Great Relationships

Extremely Great Relationships takes many of the same biblical principles that Dr. Trent teaches in his marriage seminar (and award winning books) and puts them in terms of “relationships,” therefore applying and using examples that link with singles, single-parents, couples and grand parents (instead of specifically married couples). Perfect for an event that you want to reach singles and couples and build strong, God-honoring friendships, families and couples.
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Blueprints 4 A Strong Marriage™

In this Blueprints 4 A Strong Marriage™ seminar, Dr. Wheeler brings a humorous and life-changing approach to teaching the six elements that have been proven to be present within strong, lasting, loving marriages. Based on statistical research discovered while Tony was writing his doctoral dissertation at Kansas State University, this profound message will help strengthen and encourage couples that desire to grow in their intimacy with God and one another. These elements include discussion about Conflict Resolution, Personal Worth, Commitment, Communication, and Time spent together. Couples that have attended this seminar have found renewed freedom and intimacy in their marriages.
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Marriage secrets to make it last!

With over 200 years of marital experience in the room, Ryan asked them a simple question: “If you could meet with married couples and share your secrets, what would you say? The result of this gathering is a series of insightful and enormously impactful principles for any couple who is married or anticipating marriage!

Ryan has since been sharing these concepts with thousands. When possible, his wife, Lana is there – offering candid and humorous perspectives from the wife’s point of view. These talks are both biblical and practical – and are proven true by those who are making it last.
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Bring to your church or community a seminar on The Life-Changing Power of Living out “The Blessing”

Here’s how the seminar begins. “No matter your age, the approval of your parents affects how you view yourself and your ability to pass that approval along to your children, spouse and friends. Many people spend a lifetime looking for this acceptance the Bible calls… The Blessing.” Consider what can happen in the life of your church or community, when people understand and begin to live out this life-changing, biblically rooted message. Think too about the healing that comes to individuals who finally realize that there is a way, through their relationship with Christ , to finally “reverse the curse” and move past the hurts of the past by living out their calling – “The Blessing.”
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The 2 Degree Difference: How small things can begin to change everything in your home, health and heart for God

In this seminar, Dr. Trent shares an incredibly powerful, biblical concept called, The 2 Degree Difference. It’s time for the people in your church or community to understand a powerful, life-changing – too often overlooked biblical principle – that being “faithful in a little” can begin to make dramatic, major positive changes in our homes, our health and our love and heart for God.
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LifeMapping: A revolutionary process for overcoming past hurts, taking control of your present, and charting your future

And, prayerfully, where they can go in moving towards a fulfilling, God-honoring future. Based on Dr. Trent’s award winning book, LifeMapping, this seminar is a great way to “go deeper” for those serious about taking the next step in their faith and family.
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Leading From Your Strengths – Understanding your strengths and how to value and blend “differences” in your home, workplace and ministry

This cutting edge online tool only takes a person five to seven minutes to take online, but then instantly emails them back a 28 page strengths assessment! Starting with people getting 28 pages of personalized information on their unique, God-given strengths, Dr. Trent then talks about our “core” and “adapted” traits, about four predictable areas of conflict every person will face, and how to move forward towards closer home, work and ministry relationships! A great conference build around an outstanding online tool!
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Living Beyond Self-Protection

We are in a unique position to let go of our self-protection and facades and learn to love in the midst of our pain. This seminar will explain a new way of seeing your spouse, if you are married, and yourself. Dr. Wheeler has been a counselor for 18 years and he uses his counseling experience and education to help him explain how our self-protection actually keeps us from experiencing true life and joy in our relationships.
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Bring an EXTREME(ly Great) PARENTING CONFERENCE to Your Church or Community!

Bring a BLUEPRINT 4 GODLY PARENTING CONFERENCE to Your Church or Community (Dr. Tony Wheeler)

In Blueprints 4 Godly Parenting™, Dr. Wheeler teaches the three core concepts that will lay a Biblical foundation of parenting that will benefit any parent who desires a healthy relationship with his or her children. These principles of parenting have helped Dr. Wheeler and his wife, Stacey, raise their three kids, Isaac (20), Adele (18), and Audrey (14). The six elements of a strong family will also be taught with specific emphasis on applying these proven strengths to the parent-child relationship. These six elements are based on statistical research and were the subject of Tony’s doctoral dissertation at Kansas State University. Taught with humor and personal stories, many parents have been encouraged after attending this parenting seminar.
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The Minivan Years (Kurt Bruner)

In Blueprints 4 Godly Parenting™, Dr. Wheeler teaches the three core concepts that will lay a Biblical foundation of parenting that will benefit any parent who desires a healthy relationship with his or her children. These principles of parenting have helped Dr. Wheeler and his wife, Stacey, raise their three kids, Isaac (20), Adele (18), and Audrey (14). The six elements of a strong family will also be taught with specific emphasis on applying these proven strengths to the parent-child relationship. These six elements are based on statistical research and were the subject of Tony’s doctoral dissertation at Kansas State University. Taught with humor and personal stories, many parents have been encouraged after attending this parenting seminar.
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7 Cries of Today’s Teens (Dr. Tim Smith)

Presented with humor, insight, and ample stories; parents will be informed and encouraged as they discover:
  • Why is it more challenging to raise teens today?
  • What teens really say about themselves
  • How to strengthen your teen’s security
  • How to love your teen in their unique key of love
  • Connecting by listening
  • How to guide a teen with consequences
  • How to grow a relationship that you both enjoy
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Blueprint for Strengthening Special Needs Families

Dr. Wheeler has had the opportunity to teach this seminar for Joni Earicson Tada's Ministry and has a desire to help families with special needs children have a committed and healthy marriage and family. The Six Proven Characteristics Of Strong Families will be explored with an emphasis on the specific challenges that a family with a child who struggles with Autism, Learning Disorders, ADHD, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or any other special need might face. Statistics show that the #1 reason couples with a special a needs child struggle is directly related to their lack of intimate time together as a couple. Understanding the importance of learning to communicate and balance work and family time so that couples can have relaxed and uninterrupted time together will be explored in this seminar.
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Over one million parents have read Dr. Trent’s award-winning and best-selling book, THE BLESSING. Bring the author of the book to your church or community to encourage your parents in a life-changing seminar! (Dr. John Trent)

In every child’s life, there is a tremendous need for what the bible calls, “The Blessing.” There’s a reason why well over a million parents have read this book, and put its principles into practice. Wrapped around this incredibly powerful parenting tool, right from God’s word, is a key to passing down unconditional love and acceptance to your child. What’s more, each parent will discover that the five elements of The Blessing can give them a key to their own past – and bring a level of love and acceptance to their home that can be absolutely life-changing. An powerful conference for increasing love and connection, as well as laying an incredible foundation for spiritual formation.
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Bring best-selling author Dr. John Trent to Your Church or Community to do an EXTREME(ly Great) PARENTING CONFERENCE! (Dr. John Trent)

In five sessions, Dr. Trent unpacks for parents several key biblical principles and tools that can give Dads, Mom and single-parents huge doses of encouragement and effectiveness when it comes to raising their greatest God-given gift – their children!

The Extreme(ly Great) Parenting Conference is a great way to minister to parents of children from Junior High on down. From help in getting on the same page as parents, to dealing with four predictable areas of conflict every family faces, to specific ways to pass down a spiritual heritage to our children, to tool after tool for extremely busy parents – this is an outstanding event for parents in your church or community!
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Build Out Your Marriage and Family Ministry Strategy for Your Church with Dr. John Trent and Kurt Bruner!

If your church is serious about launching a sustainable, lay-driven, “faith@home” based marriage and family program that honors God’s word and equips couples and parents for growth and outreach to others

Then bring Dr. John Trent and Kurt Bruner to your church for a full day of strategy and designing a personalized plan for an outstanding marriage and family ministry at your church. Both Bruner and Trent are leaders in the “faith@home” movement, and have helped to put StrongFamily and HomePointe Centers in churches across the country. Let them help your leadership get a plan for intentional ministry to the couples and families in your church and community who need help so much!
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Leading From Your Strengths – Building an close-knit, effective, cutting-edge team

This cutting edge online tool only takes five to seven minutes to take online, but then instantly emails them back a 28 page strengths assessment! Starting with people getting 28 pages of personalized information on their unique, God-given strengths, Dr. Trent then takes a team through their “core” and “adapted” traits, and shares important insights on four predictable areas of conflict that every person will face, and how to move past them towards closer home, work and ministry relationships! A great experience for your ministry team, build around an outstanding online tool!
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Coffee Cup Coaching™ Team-Building Experience

Dr. Wheeler designed this team-building experience to train people how to care for others and mentor others who are in need of help. This seminar will also help those who want to discover how to overcome things from their past that are affecting how they relate with and care for others. Dr. Wheeler and his wife Stacey have written a book on this subject and are currently working with the publishing company Moody Press.
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Living your strengths

The Leading From Your Strengths online assessment and the Leading From Your Strengths book (co-authored with Rodney Cox), Dr. Trent helps men not only see their God-given strengths – but their potential to deal with conflict and build strong, God-honoring relationships in their home and workplace.
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Leading From Your Strengths for College and Career

Introduction: (10 Minutes)
    This section includes a brief introduction and mixer, introducing the origin of the assessment.

    If the assessment was not previously taken, a paper pencil version will be filled out at this time.
LOGB: (10 Minutes)
    The audience will meet the Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, and Beaver and learn about the strengths that they bring to the team.
Four Predictable Areas of Conflict: (20 Minutes)
    The audience will learn the four predictable areas of conflict and some great way to work through those conflicts in a Christ-like and honoring way.
Dealing with Issues Not People: (10 Minutes)
    This section covers some great tools for solving problems and maintaining good relationships through conflicts.
The Two Degree Difference: (10 Minutes)
    The section teaches one of the most valuable and effective tools for making changes in behavior and improving relationships with others.
Conclusion:
    A summary of the information covered, direction to resources for the audience to continue to learn more about Leading From Your Strengths after the event, and if time permits the potential for a question and answer session.
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Leading From Your Strengths for College and Career

Introduction: (10 Minutes)
    This section includes a brief introduction and mixer, introducing the origin of the assessment.
Overview of the test: (10 Minutes)
    The audience will learn about the LOGB scale.
LOGB: (20 Minutes)
    The audience will meet the Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, and Beaver and learn about the strengths that they bring to the team.
Break: (15 Minutes)

Four Predictable Areas of Conflict: (30 minutes)

Please Note: This section can be customized to discuss specific areas of interest to the group
    The audience will learn the four predictable areas of conflict and some great way to work through those conflicts in a Christ-like and honoring way.
Dealing with Issues Not People: (15 Minutes)
    This section covers some great tools for solving problems and maintaining good relationships through conflicts.
The Two Degree Difference: (15 Minutes)
    The section teaches one of the most valuable and effective tools for making changes in behavior and improving relationships with others.
Break: (15 Minutes)

Adapted Style: (20 Minutes)
    This section covers the second portion of the assessment showing the way that people have to adapt to be successful in their current environment, and how that can either bring out their strengths, or stifle their natural abilities.
Question and Answer: (20 Minutes)

Conclusion: (10 Minutes)
    A summary of the information covered, direction to resources for the audience to continue to learn more about Leading From Your Strengths after the event.
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About
Who We Are
  John Trent, Ph.D
  Cindy Trent
  Tony Wheeler, Ph.D
  Jeff Thibault
  Kurt Bruner
  Kari Trent, MBA
  Marty Kertesz
Contact Us

Meet the StrongFamilies Team!




Dr. John Trent
President
Full Bio		 Dr. Trent is founding president of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to strengthening marriage and family relationships worldwide. Dr. Trent is a bestselling author and popular speaker with over 25 years experience serving and strengthening families. John and his wife Cindy live in Phoenix, AZ, have been married since 1979 and have two daughters. John has spoken to over 100,000 people in over 65 major cities in the past five years alone, as well as 750,000 men at Promise Keepers conferences. He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen award winning and best-selling books – including The Blessing, The Language of Love, Heartshift, and Breaking the Cycle of Divorce. His most recent books include The 2 Degree Difference, Superhero Swamp, (a children’s book), and Skinny Rabbits.
Click pictures to read full bios


Dr. Tony Wheeler
Executive Director for the
Dr. John Trent Institute for The Blessing
at Barclay College
Jeff Thibault
Director of Operations
and Training
Kurt Bruner
Executive Director, StrongFamilies
National Innovations Alliance
Kari Trent MBA
Director of Marketing
Marty Kertesz
Conference Booking
Agent and Coordinator
Cindy Trent


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