Hopeful Tomorrows has helped couples from across the country who have found themselves facing situations where they didn’t see hope for the future of their marriage, and been brought back from the brink and into a renewed and loving marriage. If you’re looking for hope for the future, you can find it at our weekend retreats. Hear from couples who have invested a weekend with us and found a new connection for a stronger marital bond.
See The Difference Hopeful Tomorrows Has Made For Couples In Need
“Our marriage had subtly slipped into a distant stalemate.” – Brent and Linda
After 30 years of marriage, my wife and I realized our marriage had subtly slipped into a distant stalemate. I agreed (with great reluctance) to attend an intensive marriage restoration weekend led by Derek and Missy. I half expected a cookie cutter presentation with oversimplified pat answers and a lot of Bible thumping which I would not have survived. To my pleasant surprise this was not the case. Derek and Missy present a balanced and practical path to marital restoration. They utilize sound biblical and psychological principles presented in a personal and deeply meaningful style which was exactly what I needed. My wife and I experienced a much-needed healing and re-connection as a result of this weekend which put us on the path to a healthier marriage. As a practicing mental health professional of over 35 years with licenses as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor, and Clinical Psychologist, I have referred numerous clients and friends to their restoration weekends. I highly recommend Derek and Missy as wonderful instruments of God’s healing grace. They are true rock stars in my book, and I like to think of them as the Chip and Joanna Gaines of marriage Fixer Uppers!!!
“I had been unfaithful…They gave us tools to process wounds.” – Walt and Kathy
Kathy and I attended a marriage conference with Missy and Derek after Kathy found out I had been unfaithful and violated our marriage covenant. Missy and Derek are very knowledgeable Christian marriage counselors that helped us start to reconnect, improve communication, and rebuild our marriage during the conference. They gave us tools to process wounds and misunderstandings and work towards forgiveness. My wife and I went on to use Derek as our weekly marriage counselor for about 18 months now. He is an invaluable resource, who has a gift for putting difficult conversations or powerful emotions into words that are very understandable. Derek provides strong and steady Christian counseling throughout our journey of healing, reconciling, and rebuilding our marriage from damage due to my sexual addiction.
“We had tried multiple therapists…” – Shane and Kristen
Our experience with Derek and Missy at the marriage retreat a couple of years ago, was nothing short of life changing. We had tried multiple marital therapists, individual therapists, and while they each had their momentary improvements in our marriage; none were sustainable. None of them truly got us back on track. What was very helpful during our weekend and what we felt in our relationship, was getting re-connected to ‘us’ and what we loved about each other. While we shared the transparencies of the issues in our marriage, which wasn’t easy, it also allowed us the opportunity to connect with each other in a safe space with others going through similar struggles. It was great to take a step back and remember what was positive about each other and what we truly loved about one another. Derek and Missy were excellent facilitators. Besides being great communicators, you could feel the authenticity of their marriage and also, they were not afraid to share vulnerabilities, which made them and the weekend even easier to connect with.
“This retreat works because it puts Jesus back into the marriage.” – Mark and Christina
My wife Christina and I were having difficulty with our marriage. Often discussions would turn into fights. We often would bring up unresolved problems of the past during current arguments. We attended Derek and Missy’s weekend retreat on marriage. During that weekend we learned how to use a tool called SHARP that Derek and Missy modeled for the group prior to us applying. During that weekend using this tool, Chris and I finally put to rest problems of the past by discussing, not fighting about how those problems affected us. We also learned about a very useful tool to help us regularly connect, which keeps us on the same page and not assigning motives to each other’s actions.
We now have a very strong marriage. We so appreciated that weekend that we decided give back to the retreat. We volunteer by handling administrative duties on retreat weekends, so that Derek and Missy could place 100% focus on attendees. We have watched time and time again couples that come in and admit that the weekend was a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. And if did not work, they would have filed for divorce. By the end of the weekend they have recommitted themselves to each other and divorce was no longer on the table.
This retreat works because it puts Jesus back into the marriage and makes each person in the marriage see how their actions have affected their spouse vs just looking at how they have been affected themselves.
“The hardest, but best thing we have ever done for our marriage.” – Rob and Jenny
For most of our 27 years of marriage, we were not on the same page emotionally. Many years of anger, discouragement, and hard feelings had us in a desperate way. A couple we knew attended a weekend intensive seminar led by Derek and Missy. We saw such a dramatic difference in their marriage that we decided to attend the seminar ourselves. This weekend intensive was the hardest but best thing we have ever done for our marriage. Years of pain and heartache were healed during the weekend. Having a renewed vision for our marriage more than compensated for the relational hard work that it took us to get to that point. We are six months removed from the seminar and our marriage is really flourishing. We are connecting at all levels and are so thankful to Derek and Missy for guiding us thru this process.
After 30 years of marriage, my wife and I realized our marriage has subtly slipped into a distant stalemate. I agreed (with great reluctance) to attend an intensive marriage restoration weekend led by Derek and Missy. I half expected a cookie cutter presentation with oversimplified pat answers and a lot of Bible thumping which I would not have survived. To my pleasant surprise this was not the case. Derek and Missy present a balanced and practical path to marital restoration. They utilize sound biblical and psychological principles presented in a personal and deeply meaningful style which was exactly what I needed. My wife and I experienced a much-needed healing and re-connection as a result of this weekend which put us on the path to a healthier marriage. As a practicing mental health professional of over 35 years with licenses as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor, and Clinical Psychologist, I have referred numerous clients and friends to their restoration weekends. I highly recommend Derek and Missy as wonderful instruments of God’s healing grace. They are true rock stars in my book, and I like to think of them as the Chip and Joanna Gaines of marriage Fixer Uppers!!!
Kathy and I attended a marriage conference with Missy and Derek after Kathy found out I had been unfaithful and violated our marriage covenant. Missy and Derek are very knowledgeable Christian marriage counselors that helped us start to reconnect, improve communication, and rebuild our marriage during the conference. They gave us tools to process wounds and misunderstandings and work towards forgiveness. My wife and I went on to use Derek as our weekly marriage counselor for about 18 months now. He is an invaluable resource, who has a gift for putting difficult conversations or powerful emotions into words that are very understandable. Derek provides strong and steady Christian counseling throughout our journey of healing, reconciling, and rebuilding our marriage from damage due to my sexual addiction.
Our experience with Derek and Missy at the marriage retreat a couple of years ago, was nothing short of life changing. We had tried multiple marital therapists, individual therapists, and while they each had their momentary improvements in our marriage; none were sustainable. None of them truly got us back on track. What was very helpful during our weekend and what we felt in our relationship, was getting re-connected to ‘us’ and what we loved about each other. While we shared the transparencies of the issues in our marriage, which wasn’t easy, it also allowed us the opportunity to connect with each other in a safe space with others going through similar struggles. It was great to take a step back and remember what was positive about each other and what we truly loved about one another. Derek and Missy were excellent facilitators. Besides being great communicators, you could feel the authenticity of their marriage and also, they were not afraid to share vulnerabilities, which made them and the weekend even easier to connect with.
My wife Christina and I were having difficulty with our marriage. Often discussions would turn into fights. We often would bring up unresolved problems of the past during current arguments. We attended Derek and Missy’s weekend retreat on marriage. During that weekend we learned how to use a tool called SHARP that Derek and Missy modeled for the group prior to us applying. During that weekend using this tool, Chris and I finally put to rest problems of the past by discussing, not fighting about how those problems affected us. We also learned about a very useful tool to help us regularly connect, which keeps us on the same page and not assigning motives to each other’s actions.
We now have a very strong marriage. We so appreciated that weekend that we decided give back to the retreat. We volunteer by handling administrative duties on retreat weekends, so that Derek and Missy could place 100% focus on attendees. We have watched time and time again couples that come in and admit that the weekend was a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. And if did not work, they would have filed for divorce. By the end of the weekend they have recommitted themselves to each other and divorce was no longer on the table.
This retreat works because it puts Jesus back into the marriage and makes each person in the marriage see how their actions have affected their spouse vs just looking at how they have been affected themselves.
For most of our 27 years of marriage, we were not on the same page emotionally. Many years of anger, discouragement, and hard feelings had us in a desperate way. A couple we knew attended a weekend intensive seminar led by Derek and Missy. We saw such a dramatic difference in their marriage that we decided to attend the seminar ourselves. This weekend intensive was the hardest but best thing we have ever done for our marriage. Years of pain and heartache were healed during the weekend. Having a renewed vision for our marriage more than compensated for the relational hard work that it took us to get to that point. We are six months removed from the seminar and our marriage is really flourishing. We are connecting at all levels and are so thankful to Derek and Missy for guiding us thru this process.
Peer Testimonials
Hopeful Tomorrows has helped couples from every walk of life find a renewed sense of connection and success in their marriages, and the testimonials left by Hopeful Tomorrows weekend attendees share that fact. However, Derek and Missy’s skills have also been noted by leaders across multiple sectors of marriage counseling. Hear from professionals in the field about how the research-backed and faith-based approach used by Derek and Missy has transformed marriages and delivered new hope to struggling couples in need of guidance.
Greg Davis – Executive Director, Preserve Marriage Ministry
Cristina Broomfield MA LLP ABCST – Genesis Marriage and Family Ministries
I am happy to recommend the Derek and Missy Irvin, and their Hopeful Tomorrows ministry to any couple that is looking to strengthen and save their marriage. I have seen God use Derek and Missy’s practical, effective, and compassionate approach to transform marriages. The weekend intensive is definitely a hopeful experience.
Dan Johnson – Founder, NewDay Recovery and The NewDay Center
Derek and Missy’s retreat weekend create a clear path for couples to truly heal and grow in their relationships. As a marriage and family therapist, having extensive training in couples’ therapy, I believe the Irvin’s [SHARP] model effectively and extensively addresses the issues that negatively influence so many couples today. The weekend not only allows healing from past or current issues but also builds or rebuilds a foundation for a lifetime of love.
Logan K. Everett – MA, LMFT, CHC
I have had the privilege of working side by side with Derek and Missy in their passion for helping couples in their marriages. I have seen first hand how the retreat has given couples the tools they need to reengage in their relationship. There is a renewed hope that couples take home with them as they continue on in their marriage journey. I look forward to seeing many more marriages empowered through the work of Missy and Derek.
Mandy Baldwin – MA, LMFTA
As a marriage counselor for over 3 decades, I feel confident in recommending Hopeful Tomorrows, an intensive weekend designed to serve as an intervention for marriages in crisis. So often when couples first meet with me, it is apparent they need more than one hour a week of marriage counseling. Hopeful Tomorrows has proved to be a very helpful resource in the restoration and revitalizing of troubled marriages. Derek and Missy Irvin, co-founders and instructors, lead out an extended weekend that is full of teaching new tools and strategies that guide couples through facing their most difficult issues. Their knowledge and efficacy of the weekend experience bring couples to a place where they can finally begin healing and embrace hope and a future for their marriage. I would highly recommend this weekend to any couple struggling in their relationship.
I am happy to recommend the Derek and Missy Irvin, and their Hopeful Tomorrows ministry to any couple that is looking to strengthen and save their marriage. I have seen God use Derek and Missy’s practical, effective, and compassionate approach to transform marriages. The weekend intensive is definitely a hopeful experience.
Derek and Missy’s retreat weekend create a clear path for couples to truly heal and grow in their relationships. As a marriage and family therapist, having extensive training in couples’ therapy, I believe the Irvin’s [SHARP] model effectively and extensively addresses the issues that negatively influence so many couples today. The weekend not only allows healing from past or current issues but also builds or rebuilds a foundation for a lifetime of love.
I have had the privilege of working side by side with Derek and Missy in their passion for helping couples in their marriages. I have seen first hand how the retreat has given couples the tools they need to reengage in their relationship. There is a renewed hope that couples take home with them as they continue on in their marriage journey. I look forward to seeing many more marriages empowered through the work of Missy and Derek.