Testimonals

Intensive Testimonies

My wife and I went to NIM in Branson in 2008 and we had quite of few issues going in. I myself went with the
expectation that if this didn't work I was going back to New York and putting in divorce papers. Well we just
made 20 years in November and I'm not going to say we don't have struggles now and then, but at least we know
how to deal with them and get to the root cause of the problem. We were taught how to use the God given
tools within each of us to work our issues right out and continue to work at it. Marriage is a full time job, and
just like a full time job you have to learn how to do it in order to be good at it. If you learned it the wrong
way to begin with, it becomes a hard job. Now on the other hand, if you learn to do the job the right way, you
develop a routine, and the job becomes real easy. We love each other more than ever and can't wait to grow
old together!
God can and does do amazing things through this organization. I've seen it and felt it for myself. I will never
be the same person since the NIM Intensive. I am so thankful for NIM's guidance and encouragement that I
received.
My husband and I attended an intensive, and believe me when I tell you that I went kicking and screaming the
entire way. Today, I am a changed woman and my husband is a changed man. Words simply cannot express the
difference NIM made in our lives. This is a special, special organization.
WOW! Where do I start! My wife and I recently attended at Intensive at NIM. This has been a life changing
experience for us. "Thank you" to EVERYONE at NIM for your unconditional love, support and prayers. You have
no idea what you mean to us. You are a very special group of people. When everyone else wanted to throw me
away for my mistakes, you all portrayed the “true love” of God by loving me regardless of my past. In the past
I always thought counseling was ridiculous, but after attending NIM, it's a life saver. Thank you from the bottom
of my heart for everything!
The National Institute of Marriage has changed my life forever! I am forever grateful for Bob and the entire
staff. You have shown me how to love myself, my savior and my wife in ways that I could never imagine. The
tools you use are life changing. Thank you for all that you have done in my life.
NIM is sooooo NOT like traditional counseling.....when they say "intensive" that is very true in every meaning of
the word....but does it work???? ABSOLUTELY!! Thanks NIM for all you all do......you guys are the best. We are
still working on US which will be for the rest of our lives, but because of you all at NIM and allowing God to work
through you, we are at a much better place.
The National Institute of Marriage ministry is awesome. We went to the Marriage Intensive in Branson several
years ago and gained so much from that experience. It was life-changing.
I was expecting tools to separate/divorce my husband in a “safe”/healthy manner. I left knowing and
experiencing Christ, not ever considering returning the amazing gift that God has given to me.
The intensive saved our marriage, which up to that point had been 13 years of primarily disconnection,
loneliness, arguments, and sadness. The intensive was exactly what we needed--Godly counsel, love, support
and communication skills. It took some time to work through the hurt and pain that had built up over the years,
but I can honestly say that we are happier now than when we were newlyweds. By God's grace, we recently
celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and are eagerly anticipating many, many more years together. God
bless you both as you make this journey together. May you be surrounded by His love, grace and the peace that
passes all understanding.
My husband and I attended an intensive last summer and I came back a changed person! When I returned home,
I told everyone that whether or not my marriage is saved, I was changed forever. However, almost a year later
and our marriage is better than it had been for years and is still improving! Learning how to deal with problems
in a healthy way.... who couldn't use that? Thank you NIM for showing me how changing my reaction to issues is
the one thing I can control to help improve our relationship, whether or not my husband changes at all! Funny
thing is... the way I respond to my husband changes how he responds to me! Bob and Cindy... thank you and
you're awesome!
The focus on safety and self-care was SO valuable for me. You guys provided an environment to fall in love with
myself and with my husband again. Thank you!
This was the safest experience my wife and I have ever been in at the same place and time. We finally got to
the heart of our conflict.
My husband and I attended an intensive 2 summers ago in Branson and are still going strong. The facilitators
were compassionate and full of concern for each couple there. The accommodations were wonderful and the
food was awesome. Thanks, NIM.
I've been to an intensive and I would say it's really the gift which gave me some hope to hang onto my marriage,
but also to myself and to God. The real work begins once you leave, but the way these tools are expressed is
beyond anything I've ever experienced.
My husband & I completed a week, just a couple of weeks ago. It was life changing & awesome. My husband
& I also had some communication struggles & NIM gave us the unbelievable tools to work on that. I highly
recommend it!
My husband and I just attended an intensive in early Jan (2009) and it has been a real blessing to us so far. We
are still working on putting everything we learned into practice. Chris and Brett (counselors) were great! We
recommend the intensive to everybody!
I had heard from many how great the success rate was, but so glad that I was able to experience this first hand.
I came to the intensive so fatigued by what I perceived as the "problems" we were having, and I'm leaving
refreshed, having come to understand how off base I was and it's revolutionized my thinking.
I still cannot believe what was accomplished in just 4 days. I am so amazed how God is using this program.
This experience was well beyond my own expectations.
I learned a lot from the intensive, where I tried and failed from just regular counseling sessions.
I learned tools that I never new existed.
I have been to a great number of different types of marriage encounters; this is the best program by far in
substance to go home with.
The chance to have long periods of time and the days to stay focused.
I found the step by step process of showing us how to find what is in our/my heart, heart listening/speaking
exercise so impacted me during the intensive.
My expectations were high and they still were exceeded!
I learned more about myself these last 4 days than during any other period of my life. Learning from seeing
others grow was extremely effective in helping me.
I went in expecting to be bullied, but instead I was taught with love.
I was against counseling to begin with but I'm glad that counseling was received. It will not only benefit my
relationship, but the future of our children.
COMMENTS ABOUT THE GROUP DYNAMIC
The most valuable part of the intensive was the openness and honesty of each participant.
Other couples made this week happen!!
Input of other couples' and counselors' personal stories exponentially increased vibe of safety and often
cemented into reality
Awed watching the miracles unfold as a result of the heart talk in others and ourselves. I can't imagine to what
generation of our children's children this will reach!
I had fear and anxiety about the group setting and the experience blew away my expectations.
At first I was really questioning whether choosing the couples intensive was the best, but now I am so glad we
did it this way. We learned so much from observing too.
Learning from the other couples here was so valuable. I was pretty reserved about that before coming but it was
an amazing experience. It surprised me how I was able to draw on the advice offered to the other couples and
apply it to my own life.
The group setting allowed us to have time between examples to absorb what we were learning. The group
setting answered questions for me that I didn't bring up.
I found the group format the most valuable, as I found safety and acceptance in this group. I found the reality of
my own personal responsibility to myself invaluable, and the emotional connection I made with my husband.
The group format serves for a unique opportunity to experience much more than one would do alone.
The group interaction was awesome-I cannot imagine being blessed this much without this group of people to
listen to, learn from, and share with.
I found the constant redirecting during couples practicing with their own experiences.
I thought all the techniques were valuable and I really learned a lot even when it was another couples turn.
We attended a 4 day intensive skeptical of a group session till we realized we had similarities with everybody.
ANYONE can save their marriage. NIM gave us the foundation, tools and safe environment to realize we could
be happy again. I can't thank you enough for offering this service to people to save the most precious thing for a
couple, their marriage. It showed me how to be a better husband for her and how to love her as GOD wants me
to. Again I can't thank you enough. May GOD bless NIM with every couple. Bottom line we were looking for hope
that it could work and we left knowing that it would work, thank you.
The group format was great. I was able to learn a lot more from the other couples. This was very effective.
I was very apprehensive as this is way out of my comfort zone but quickly felt safe and able to open up and

Week of October 11-15, 2010

How did your experience compare to your expectations. Comments:

From the second we pulled into the parking lot we sensed the unconditional, non-judgmental,
love of God! Thank you!
I can truly say that I have been taken care of in every aspect of my life. For the first time in a
long time I have been able to rest and put at ease in the care of gentle and loving people.
I was blessed more than I can write.
Monique gave from her heart without reservation.
I heard the words from my heavenly Father through him.
Safe environment and a female facilitator were two of my prayers prior to coming. M onique’s
authenticity and sharing from her life also indicated her genuine care towards everyone – which also felt safe!

If a friend were in need of similar help, would you recommend our program?
Comments:

All believers need to know this information.
I will definitely offer this to others.

October 18-22, 2010

How did your experience compare to your expectations. Comments:

I was extremely impressed and would recommend it to anyone.
I look forward to another visit to maintain!
I did not expect we would both have a way to heal ourselves that extends beyond a healed
marriage.
I loved the format, the professionalism, the caring and Branson is a great place to hold these
intensives. I would have liked more fresh vegetarian options.
I experienced a miracle! Thank you.

What did you find most valuable in your Intensive? Effective?

The format of being together all day.
Showing me how to open my heart and learning that is not dependent on whether the person
opens his.
Learning my emotions along with my spouse – why and how we communicate.
Tools gave confidence to approach future situations head-on w/confidence.
Care for self, heal my own wounds, sit with my feelings and wait well. All so I do not continue to
harm myself and my wife.
I liked the pacing & format of the whole seminar. I personally found a lot of benefit in the
imagery around the heart work. I felt very clear about the state of my heart!
Cindy was able to bring out the REAL issues.
Understanding the hurts, wounds and pain in my spouse that lead us to being here.
Gave me some tools to practice.

Testimonials: September 13-17, 2010

How did your experience compare to your expectations?

It was a blessing.

Great experience, very happy and thankful.

(Therapists) Please share some reasons for your ratings. Comments:

Very informative, great stories!

Great insights.

Bob really uses God’s work in his life to help others.

Very good insights.

Caring, discerning, able to quickly assess heart of the matter, sensitive, humble approach, non-
threatening.

Very passionate about his work and into helping others. Thank you.

Says some profound stuff, very nice. Thank you.

What did you find most valuable in your Intensive? Effective?

How to communicate effectively.

Learning about caring for myself the importance it has within the marriage. Communicating in
a way we are aware of both of our feelings.

Tools given to proceed and insight into personal needs and direction as well as ability to hear
struggles of others.

Learned more about me and how to take care of me.

Group sharing, really loved having the rooms where we went for the intensive.

Testimonials July 26-30, 2010

How did your experience compare to your expectations?

My inner most feelings were revealed to me.

I was really reserved about coming, but as I began to participate, I was amazed.

God was allowed to be there and that made the difference.

Really gave a broad understanding working in many scenarios.

The counseling and ministering approach and style of Bob and Cynthia was extremely helpful.

Provided insight into how I can change myself, own heart and be better able to improve my marriage.

What did you find most valuable in your Intensive? Effective?

The black box of my heart and how to be an effective listener and care.

Valuable - learning to understand better (his black box) and learning to communicate genuine care for him.

Effective - the tools on learning how to effectively communicate and listen (heart talk).

The heart illustrations.

That God is allowed in the intensives allows the work to overall be done by God!!! With the help of great leadership!

Help in learning communication.

Fear Cycle. No Loser (Win-Win) Policy should be most effective.

The counselors were most effective. Fear Cycle and Heart Talk and Win-Win solution were most effective.

Everything was very valuable. I can’t name one thing specifically.

Opportunity to practice the Heart Talk, the structure of not having group members interrupt in middle of process.

That God was involved.

May 09

Proven history of building strong, healthy families...

The National Institute of Marriage has a proven history of building strong, healthy families. That is why the office of Ministerial Enrichment is partnering with them to provide Marriage Intensives to train ministers to better help the families of their churches. - Gary Allen, Director, Ministerial Enrichment, General Council of the Assemblies of God

May 09

Left full of hope...

Came “without hope”. Left full of hope.

May 09

Our miracle happened...

"God does touch the deepest part of your heart. Our miracle happened, yours can too. God bless each couple to/with the fullness of each others heart."

Given a chance for new life.

"Given a chance for new life."

I haven’t felt this way since...

“I haven’t felt this way since the day I was saved.”

That’s worth a million dollars to me...

“I thought you could help everyone else in the room, but you’ve understood me 100%. That’s worth a million dollars to me.”

I’m free...

“Yesterday I watched fear walk out the door, and I’m free.” - wife from California on day 4 of the Couples Intensive program

The group interaction was awesome...

The group interaction was awesome-I cannot imagine being blessed this much without this group of people to listen to, learn from, and share with.

Techniques were valuable...

I thought all the techniques were valuable and I really learned a lot even when it was another couples turn.

ANYONE can save their marriage...

We attended a 4 day intensive skeptical of a group session till we realized we had similarities with everybody. ANYONE can save their marriage. NIM gave us the foundation, tools and safe environment to realize we could be happy again. I can’t thank you enough for offering this service to people to save the most precious thing for a couple, their marriage. It showed me how to be a better husband for her and how to love her as GOD wants me to. Again I can’t thank you enough. May GOD bless NIM with every couple. Bottom line we were looking for hope that it could work and we left knowing that it would work, thank you.