About Us
Building Strong Marriages. Strengthening Families. Transforming Communities.
Mission
Our mission is simple: to equip couples in Central California with practical, faith-based relationship skills. These tools not only strengthen marriages but also help prevent domestic violence and nurture emotionally healthy, resilient homes for children.
Vision
We believe in a thriving community where:
- Healthy Marriages create lasting love and trust.
- Happy Kids grow up secure and supported.
- Strong Families build a stronger future for us all.
Every couple deserves access to tools that foster deeper connection, mutual respect, and a firm foundation for their family.
HISTORY
Our Story
In 2004, Ron & Joan McLain launched Marriage Mentoring Ministries, Inc. to strengthen marriages and family life through the local church. Over the years, they trained more than 240 couples across 43 churches to mentor others.
By 2006, they expanded their vision with the Healthy Marriage Coalition, making these life-changing resources available to the broader community. With deep roots in ministry since the 1970s, Ron and Joan invested their lives in equipping couples, raising four children, cherishing their grandchildren, and enduring the loss of two beloved children who now wait for them in heaven.
In 2014, Ron authored The Resurrection Marriage: Breathe New Life Into Your Relationship, which became an Amazon bestseller in counseling.
In 2015, Dave & Cheryl Belden joined the team and, in 2019, stepped into leadership as Executive Directors. With decades of marriage experience, family ties in Fresno, and a heart for guiding couples, they continue to carry the mission forward with warmth and dedication.
Contact Us
Who We Are
Dave & Cheryl Belden
Dave :
Cheryl :
Results that matter
Our Impact & Approach
We believe transformation happens when learning meets practice. That’s why our classes are interactive, faith-inspired, and practical. Couples don’t just sit and listen — they practice skills in real time: communication, conflict resolution, forgiveness, and empathy.
From our Marriage Works classes to couples retreats, every offering blends biblical wisdom with hands-on tools that couples can use immediately. Our focus is always affordability and application-oriented, in a safe environment.
TESTIMONIALS
Hear from Couples Like You
This class saved our marriage! Before this class my wife and I couldn’t stop fighting. Skills gave us a “fight-free” zone.”
There was a change in our relationship before we left the first class. This experience was more than I expected. Thanks!
This class has opened my eyes to how little time I spend trying to understand my partner. I never realized that the best way to be heard is to shut up and listen.
It helped me to be a better listener. Usually I’d be thinking about what I was going to say next instead of listening.
It has been able to lead my wife and I into some really deep and meaningful conversations.
This class saved our marriage! Before this class my wife and I couldn’t stop fighting. Skills gave us a “fight-free” zone.”
It helped me to understand what empathy was and actually show it to my wife. I also feel like I am being listened to now.
We communicate while staying calm and avoid trigger words making the conversation more productive.”
We were able to talk without yelling. I became way less defensive in discussions.
My husband and I have a great marriage – or so we thought. This class helped us address issues that we were avoiding. This class gave us the skills we needed to discuss issues skillfully and emotionally without being emotional.
It has helped my wife and I communicate about subjects we both felt uncomfortable talking about. It also helped us to speak to our adult children to open communication which had been very difficult to do without getting angry or defensive.
Gave us skills to discuss issues without getting out of control or upset.
It opened some doors that we had closed and we were unaware of what we were missing out on.
I feel this class helped my husband and I laugh again. We were able to lower our tones and hear what we were saying.
We can now discuss some issues where we would normally just walk away from them at home.
This class helped us to be able to work out big issues in our marriage while avoiding all the negative aspects that used to dominate our arguments.
Taking this class has opened my eyes to all of the things my relationship was missing. These skills bring back the youth to our relationship. I’d take this class again!!!
We used our skills a lot while driving in the car together. Everything about the class was great. We loved it and want to take it again. Thanks for all the help!
I always thought we had a strong marriage, but after taking this course we reached a deeper and more meaningful level.
The skills worked far superior to how I thought they would have.
This class helped me safely travel on the uneven terrain of relationships.
And dozens more stories of reconnection, laughter, and joy.
Our Team
Leadership & Board
Board of Directors
Dave Belden
Ron McLain
Ed Davis
Lori Davis
Advisors to the Board
Advisors to the Board
Advisors to the Board
Advisors to the Board
Our Sponsors
Our Partners in Building Healthy Families
Businesses
Churches
