Testimony, thoughts, and comments you would like to share with Joe and/or Cindi
2010
Orlando, FL
Thank you for the Familylife Weekend to Remember! On our way home Sunday, my husband stopped the car to hug and kiss me, saying, “WOW, I have a lot of changing to do!” Thanks for allowing God to use you!
Hearing the Ferrini’s share examples from real life helped take a concept and turn it into something that looked possible.
They both realistically present the dilemmas and trials of marriage with God as a focus!
Joe’s presentations were always funny, yet the most moving.
Cleveland, OH – speaking to group of special needs families
Thank you again for your ministry, your words of encouragement, and all you offered to our families. I was delighted to see the response to your offer to keep in contact with the parents (via newsletter). God bless you!
Atlanta, GA
We attended our very first conference this past weekend in Atlanta, and I can honestly say that it was the best weekend in our nearly 25 years of marriage. I was so moved by your (Joe) openness to discuss your personal stories...I have never been in the presence of people so willing to share their joys and pain with complete strangers in order to further the Gospel. I am yet so moved by your fondest desire to play catch with your son after Jesus returns that my eyes are tearing up with thought of you being able to see that dream fulfilled in glory with our Lord.
You have been a blessing to us....thank you for all you (and your wife) have done and continue to do...
Joe’s presentation on parenting was great…I left ready and equipped to live without regrets.
Loved the humor and admission of mistakes made in your own marriage – very helpful!
We attended our very first conference this past weekend in Atlanta, and I can honestly say that it was the best weekend in our nearly 25 years of marriage. I was so moved by your (Joe) openness to discuss your personal stories...I have never been in the presence of people so willing to share their joys and pain with complete strangers in order to further the Gospel. I am yet so moved by your fondest desire to play catch with your son after Jesus returns that my eyes are tearing up with thought of you being able to see that dream fulfilled in glory with our Lord.
You have been a blessing to us....thank you for all you (and your wife) have done and continue to do...
Kansas City (Overland Park)
Joe is a good and powerful speaker – uses wonderful word pictures and practical real-to-life situations and examples.
Joe’s talk on being a husband was very encouraging and helped me move toward oneness even though I really didn’t feel like it.
Omaha, NE
Wow! Wow! Wow! God has used you in a mighty way - the dad talk - WOW! What a blessing. Myself included, many of those big, strong men were having to wipe away the tears.
The most important part of the weekend was Joe’s dad talk. I am a father who holds a grudge against my father, and I have, without realizing it, begun to exhibit those qualities with my children. This will be influential in changing my relationship with my children.
My husband and I were ready to throw in the towel after 11 years of marriage. My parents gave this conference as a gift to us. I held out on sending in the divorce papers, praying this would turn our marriage around….WE ARE RENEWED and doing better already. THANK YOU BOTH!
Loved Cindi’s personal stories…the poem….and the laughter!
I have a “difficult and special” child. I was encouraged to nurture him and appreciate the special way God made him by her example.
2009
Sacramento, CA
Thank you for speaking at the conference! You are both very gifted speakers. My husband and I have been married five months now, and our beautiful daughter is three months old...needless to say, we haven't had the easiest start to our marriage. The conference was just what we've needed. We truly enjoyed every minute, and are making a conscious effort to apply all that we learned. Thank you again for blessing us!
We want to thank you and your family for sharing your time and lives with us this weekend! This conference came at the perfect time for our marriage and allowed us to take the "D word" off the table.
I enjoy that Joe seems to be an average person…so I feel a sense of connection because of his fatherly advice. It’s proven in his marriage and I’m willing to try what he says a lot more.
I appreciated Cindi’s transparency and openness. She related to all in the audience whether mom’s or not.
I’m logical and like fact and information, so Joe’s style was perfect for me.
Cindi presented the material in combination with personal stories and anecdotes that gave real life example to the material making it easy to understand and digest. She was toughing and relatable!
Cedar Rapid, Iowa
Joe’s talk on fatherhood blew me out of the water. Very powerful. Best part of the weekend for me.
Joe is a great speaker and made me feel that my husband and I aren’t the only ones with problems and it’s never too later to turn things around for the better. There is always hope.
I was dumbstruck by the teaching that we are isolated from God without Jesus/the Holy Spirit indwelling our bodies. Before we receive Christ, the isolation means no relationship with God. Prior to this I was aware that God had not manifested Himself in front of me in a burning bush, but the explanation of the isolation from the fall was profound for me. THANK YOU!
Prior to this weekend my husband and I had already talked with an attorney. The only reason I came to this conference was because our church paid our way and I didn’t feel right bailing on them. Saturday my husband received Christ and I recommitted my life to Christ. I am excited to feel like we are starting this marriage over on solid footing!
Peoria, IL
Joe challenged me to “step up” and reclaim what God will complete in me as a father.
In all the years I have attended these “type” of programs, I always feel the speaker is “above” me and has it “all together”. Cindi, however, is so transparent she immediately makes one feel she’s “one of us” – absolutely wonderful!
You could tell Joe’s heart was in everything he said. I was convinced these principles worked for he and his wife.
Cindi used examples in her own life and let us know that she is human and has struggles just like us. She was “real” – not perfect.
The “sex” talk given by Joe and Cindi gave us valuable information from a Christain perspective.
The sex talk helped us to have a sex talk!
Washington, DC
Joe’s sharing his personal hardships were excellent tools of encouragement and examples of love. His wife is superb and they are wonderful people.
Joe was very vulnerable in his sharing about his personal life/walk with God, his wife, and his family. It was easy for me to connect with him.
Joe’s presentations were awesome. I laughed, cried, and learned all at the same time!
2008
St. Louis, MO
I thank Joe for being real and open; for sharing wonderful stories and how to be a man in marriage.
Cindi was so real with her words. She did not talk down to us as if she was perfect, but with us as if we were all the same. I enjoyed her personal stories about her daily struggles and her family because it made me know that my family as well can be more Christlike. During the high energy session we laughed, shared, cried, and I left the session changed!
Joe's speaking was powerful—his words kept building and making more and more impact as he spoke. His personal life story had a huge impact on both husbands and wives.
I was reminded through Cindi’s presentation, that I have a choice to respect and honor my husband and that I need to always be looking for something to respect him for. I appreciate that she provided Bible verses that support and encourage this.
Baton Rouge, LA
Joe spoke on a personal level and related real-life situations well. He was extremely encouraging, humble, and motivating.
If more families came to Familylife conferences the divorce rate would decrease significantly. I hope they continue to influence and change families by doing such a great job!
My husband said the “MAN TO MAN” session was “very powerful”!
Palm Beach, FL
Joe’s “DAD” talk was heart-wrenching, and very touching. It almost made me cry (but the room is full of guys – c’monJ)!
Cindi encouraged me to honor and respect my husband even when I don’t want to or thinks he deserves it. She was sincere, down to earth, spiritual, approachable and teachable.
Cindi was funny, relevant, poignant and real.
I appreciated the way Joe and Cindi presented the “intimacy” talk. I was glad to have my wife there to hear that it’s not just “me” who feels the way I do.
Joe and Cindi did a fabulous job in the main sessions and with us in the pre-married sessions. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Kansas City (Overland Park), KS
Joe’s honesty, sincerity and willingness to show real, spontaneous, unhindered emotion about his son is wonderful to see!
I like Joe’s humor and liked watching him interact with the conferees after each session.
My sister has a 12 year old with special needs. Your stories opened my eyes to what she might struggle with as a parent of a child with special needs.
Cindi motivated me to begin asking my husband each morning what he has going on that day that I could pray about for him…then support him with prayer throughout each day.
I appreciated Cindi showing how she turned to the bible to lead her when dealing with her children.
Often we don’t hear or see the struggles that others have in parenting, so our “perfect” “plastic” Christianity makes us feel like we are alone at times. Joe and Cindi showed us that we are not alone and there is hope.
Vicky Kelly of Kansas City wrote:
(Familylife Weekend to Remember Conference)
We dropped off our youngest, Jonah, special needs, just 3 years old. We had never left him overnight. The longest we’d ever been away together was the night we were married & we stayed one night at the Holliday Inn Holidome. Only had one child at the time. I was apprehensive leaving him, even though the friends we left him with are very gifted caring for little ones, especially special needs.
Soon as we got there, he climbed off of my lap & roamed their small home. And, was as happy as he could be! I had a weight lifted off of my shoulders! We got back into the car having reassured him that we’d come back on Sunday (we are not 100% sure of how much he understands but I believe it’s far more then we can know at this point with him being nonverbal).
One of my favorite God moments involved the testimony we got from the speaker (Cindi Ferrini). She & her husband Joe have a 26 year old son with cerebral palsy & a lot of mental “disabilities”. He requires a lot of care & does live at home. All of their children had received Christ as Savior at the age of 3. When this little guy was just 3 years old, and nonverbal I might add, one day he was pounding his chest over his heart. He’d been witness to the way his family lived in their home putting Jesus as #1. She was baffled but figured out that he might be asking about asking Jesus into his own heart. She asked him if that is what he meant. He nodded yes! Oh boy I might say at this point I started dripping from the eyes. And, the gasps around the room! Wow! She helped lead him in prayer & he accepted the Lord. Then she asked him where Jesus was. He pointed to his heart. Oh my! By now I was literally almost sobbing. This gave me so much hope. And, a stronger desire to really start living all of this out in front of my own little 3 year old, Jonah. All of our children are saved at this point except Jonah. It gave me a hope that he will be able to understand! Jonah is less disabled then their little boy.
We had a time of prayer where the salvation message was presented. I did battle with a plugged right ear (more on that later in the post) so could not hear 100% but I knew others were praying along. Then the idea of praying every day to be filled with the Holy Spirit was presented. This was something new to us. And, SO helpful! Rephrase that, VITAL. Both Tom & I prayed along. On Sunday morning as I exhaustedly took a quick bath, I prayed again. And, I prayed that a team of angels be around me & my marriage. And, an army of angels around the entire group. Well this was funny in that Cindi herself made mention to praying like that over the years especially over her son! I thought to myself, whoa, I AM on track! I had not had that idea really presented to me. I’ve prayed for guardian angels at times when I knew there was a trip or someone was taking a trip or having surgery. But, I’d never had thought to pray like this in a big way. Folks, there is power in the Holy Spirit & God will send angels to protect you! Ask & you shall receive!
By Sunday I was totally info overloaded. But, the woman-to-woman talk was great! It was my favorite. So later I asked Tom what his favorite session was. His was the man-to-man talk & it was not focussed at all on physical things! As I sat there & listened I was convicted on several things & also learned a lot……..
Chicago (Merrillville, IN )
I appreciated Joe’s genuineness, authenticity, and sincerity. He’s real – no fluff!
Cindi showed and demonstrated that she is human and makes mistakes, too, yet it’s evident that she lives her life how she tells (recommends) us to – God first, husband second, children third.
They have a good perspective on the “long haul” of marriage.
Fairhaven (Dayton) CMA - Valentines Banquet
The speakers had a great message. I felt they strengthened every marriage or relationship in the room. The speakers were very good and transparent. Speakers were genuine and spoke from their heart, not a book.
Estes Park, Colorado
Two weeks prior to this conference, I told my husband I could no longer stay in our marriage. I felt there was no hope for us. This conference gave us hope again! We are taking with us some incredible insights about ourselves, each other, and most of all a renewed commitment to each other. WTR has truly saved our marriage! Thank you!
Human Services/Business
Married 12 years.
We came to the conference with a brick wall between us. Emotions, grudges, communication breakdown with a 23 month old son in the center. I am truly grateful to Family Life because I believe with the help of God in our lives we are truly back on the right track. Daphne has never meant so much to me as she does now. She is my gift from God.
Business Owner (Window Washing)
Engaged
A blessing beyond my expectations or even hopes. Even after 38 years together, we found more benefits, tools and examples that helped us than I could have imagined.
Manufacturing Engineer
Married 38 years.
It has changed our life. I am so excited to go home to live it. You brought the romance back and the feelings I get when I see him across the room.
Homemaker/mother
Married 16 ½ years.
It is the first time that everything in my life and marriage makes sense. It was the giant puzzle piece that was missing. My role and responsibility in my marriage is so clear now. The problems we were having make sense and how we fix them is clear.
Telecommunications Engineer
Married 1 ½ years.
The material presented was clearly biblical and there were several “light bulb” moments that helped clarify areas where our marriage was “clogged”. Encouraging and hopeful and fun!
Homemaker/Business Owner
Married 7 years.
When my husband and I came here this weekend we were at a real low point. I had even mentioned the “D” word to my own shame. I had bought into Satan’s lies and instead of turning to God I was giving up on my marriage and my spouse. This weekend has changed that. I see my sin and have repented of it. My heart has been renewed and I thank Family Life and it’s awesome speakers and God.
Bookkeeper in Home Office
Married 18 years.
The weight of the world has been lifted off of my heart. It is the beginning of a new life and relationship with my husband and I. I am so excited to get back to life and use all the practical applications.
Firefighter
Married 5 ½ years
This ministry is glorifying God. What you do honors the Lord, saves marriages, and saves families for generations to come. This saved my marriage in 2005.
Oil Field
Married 12 years.
Being married 52 years, it was still a great help. Even with a strong marriage there are always conflicts. At this age there will be a lot of change in the next 5 years so listening and communication will be so important.
Occupation not given
Married 52 years.
Joe made dynamic use of personal experiences to share with us.
His quiet demeanor, deep dedication to his family, and his love for Joey helped me in my own marriage.
I loved that he was transparent and sincere which establishes an atmosphere of trust.
2007
Fort Myers, Florida
Joe motivated me in several ways with the use of the word HOPE in relation to starting new habits, managing our marriages and recognizing that sexual intimacy is a total person form of communication. I personally appreciated his whole-hearted devotion to God and His word, and was touched by his personal story and how powerful it is in reflecting God’s glory showing that Christians do suffer, sometimes greatly, yet by God’s grace, they can survive and so can their marriages. I appreciated hearing that it was never fun or easy, but that God was always there.
Cindi helped me to realize that motherhood and marriage are not one-sided, and that you can ask for help – even when your husband isn’t listening, God is.
Cindi encouraged me to “stay plugged” in to the Holy Spirit, and I was challenged by the question, “Are you willing to discover who your husband is rather than decide who he is?”
I loved the “Dad” talk. Joe made me even more excited about my children!
Joe and Cindi spoke from the heart and we really felt like they cared about each marriage and person there.
Woodland Hill (LA) California
Cindi was real and helped me to know I’m we all deal with conflicts.
Joe and Cindi were excellent in the hope they have given all of us in how faithful God is to carry us through the most difficult times of our lives and how He uses those times to strengthen us, change our character, and make us more like Him.
The men’s session was fantastic. It refocused me!
I was single for 38 years – thank you, Cindi for the encouragement about the role of adult singles – they need to be acknowledged.
Joe’s testimony is so powerful, and his own brand of humor drew me in. My fiancé and I tremendously enjoyed the interactions between him and his wife.
I loved Cindi’s props, poise and poem, expressions and pregnant pauses at key moments!
2006
Blaine, Washington
I just want to thank you, Joe and Cindi, for the time you spend speaking with Familylife. My husband and I attended the conference and you don’t know how relieved I was to hear your background and to find out you (Cindi) were the speaker for the woman. I am a mother of a 6 year old girl with mental and physical disabilities and I was so worried I was going to be told to “suck it up and be a super-mom and wife” by someone that had not been down my road. The fact that you’ve been down that road and back, was so great!
Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
I appreciated Joe’s practical and rational presentations that made sense to me on a very personal level.
Joe is easy to understand and believable, sharing with frankness, honesty and courage in relating his own difficulties in being a father.
Cindi’s presentations were simple, bite-sized concepts in a story telling manner that I will actually remember!! I really enjoyed her time with us…it was my favorite part of the weekend.
Cindi had practical ideas about supporting and respecting my husband in a powerful testimony in a welcoming manner.
Miami, Florida
Joe helped me to appreciate my wife’s differences and to not see them as faults.
I appreciated Joe’s sincere approach to issues like his father, son, daughters, and wife. The fact that he’s praying for us and his church is praying for us (the conferees), along with his openness, helped me to be open to asking him questions.
Joe showed me that I need to deliberately set aside time for my wife.
Tuscon, Arizona
Thank you, Cindi, so much for your transparency and example of life in the “real” world. Thank you for being careful to follow a biblical example in all of your topics. (C.K.)
Joe’s “Dad” session on spending time with our children was exceptionally powerful and emotional. I appreciated his reminder that everything we do must be “God” centered! (unsigned)
Knowing Joe and Cindi’s experiences and trials makes their presentation all the more powerful. Thanks you both being honest about your true feelings and frustrations. Your candid comments helped propel our personal conversations and plan for action. (unsigned)
Appreciated your honesty and transparency as you shared together in the INTIMACY talk!
Shreveport, Louisiana
God really used you, Cindi, when you spoke to the women. I felt as though you were speaking just to me. You gave me the pep talk I needed to continue on. (A.F.)
I’ve heard before, a lot of the things that Cindi shared, but I was not very receptive in the past. Cindi put things into a language I could accept and understand. (S.S.)
Cindi is well-spoken, open, approachable, and sensitive to a wide variety of personalities and issues. (P.A.)
Joe and Cindi are a blessing to the Familylife Ministry… so real, warm, caring and encouraging. I loved Joe’s illustrations.
I appreciated Joe’s comment that we are sending our children as messengers to a time we’ll never see. I also was very touched when he shared that he has a team of people praying for us at home in Ohio.
Joe’s passion for marriages is refreshing and it’s obvious that he truly wants to reach and help others become Godly people in their marriages. (K&J W.)
E. Springfield, Pennsylvania (The Federated Church)
Thanks again for giving of yourselves on our behalf. Your presentation was well done – filled with good information, lots of humor, and challenging to all of us! (Pastor Rick P.)
2005
Boston, Massachusetts
Cindi is an honest speaker, not afraid of the truth, and pleasant to listen to.
I’m excited to use her time management book!
Joe has a great sense of humor and impeccable timing. He is very sincere and an excellent speaker.
Austin, Texas
Her gentle yet motivating session on the roles of woman as wives and mothers has helped me want what God wants to bless each of us with.
Thank you, Joe, for changing my life. I will never forget your message of faith and hope!
Her words are wise and straight from the heart. It is easy to see her passion for Christ through her life.
2004
Omaha, Nebraska
The intimacy talk with both Joe and Cindi was excellent! It really helped hearing a woman’s perspective.
Thank you, Cindi, for the reminder to do things God’s way, not the culture’s way.
Hearing how Joe and Cindi have handled the challenges of their son’s handicap was very motivating in my role as a mom.
Columbia, South Carolina
I liked that she said she doesn’t have all the answers and that she has areas of struggle.
Sacramento, California
God has truly blessed Familylife with an awesome husband/wife team (in Joe and Cindi). They inspired my wife and I to become a couple that reflects the image of God.
Joe was an awesome speaker. I enjoyed listening to him tremendously. He was straightforward sometimes, and humorous at other times which kept my interest while informing me and entertaining me.
Joe is a powerful, transparent, and intelligent speaker.
2003
Allentown, Pennsylvania
I was able to recognize that my husband cannot be the leader if I am. If he doesn’t choose to lead – I must wait, support and help him, even if he fails, and move on.
I enjoyed seeing Cindi interact with Joe, especially as they did the intimacy talk. Thank you for sharing on that challenging topic.
Tampa, Florida
Joe is very real, kind, and has a loving attitude. He is a true reflection of God.
Stockton, California
I am grateful for Cindi’s gentle spirit and transparency as she taught us to keep on “keeping on”! As we watch our young adult son struggle with serious consequences of bad and sinful choices, we pray to wait on Him for the “rest of the story.”
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Her presentation really opened my eyes to the fact that I have put so many other things before my husband. I plan to ask my husband to forgive me and I commit to put him first in my family relationships.
Joe and Cindi are an inspiration to all marriages.
2002
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I’ve been married 32 years and still learned a lot!
I appreciated that Cindi was real with us by sharing the victories and challenges of being a wife and mom.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
If a speaker can make me laugh and cry while holding my attention and teaching me something, she’s done an outstanding job. Way to go, Cindi!
Syracuse, New York
You communicated the role of a Christian wife in a humorous, yet heartfelt way.
Cindi covered the tough subject of submissiveness in a non-threatening, example-filled manner.
You have inspired me to organize and prioritize to meet my family’s daily needs.
2001
Fort Wayne, IN
Thank you for the biblical clarification on submission as it gets taken to opposite extremes at times.
Thank you, Joe and Cindi for speaking about intimacy. Great job on a difficult topic.
Thank you for helping me realize that how I have treated my husband will be the example for my daughters about how to treat their future husbands.
I realize, now, the importance of taking the time to STOP-LOOK-LISTEN in my family relationships. I also better understand the need to go to God first and not other people when challenges arise in my marriage and family.
Estes Park, Colorado
Cindi really made me take a hard look at the question of whether I am meeting the needs of my husband and children because of an overloaded schedule. I have some tough decisions to make. My role has been very cloudy by a former marriage and period of time as a single mother. I have held a lot of resentment towards my past spouse and it’s spilling over into my relationship with my present husband and children. The Lord is doing a work in me.
It was nice to hear a biblical reference about parenting as that is often an area I feel I’m not doing the job I would like to.
