About Family Success
Building a Foundation That Matters
Family Success is a ministry dedicated to helping families relate to one another better, communicate more effectively, and build relationships grounded in faith.
Founded in 1996 by Derek and Cheryl Carter, Family Success grew out of their experience counseling couples and seeing a common need: practical tools to help husbands and wives communicate, reconnect, and navigate the everyday pressures of marriage, parenting, work, and ministry.
Our Story
From Counseling Couples to Equipping Families
Shortly after receiving their pastoral counseling certifications, Derek and Cheryl began counseling couples together. Their approach was unique: both Derek and Cheryl counseled each couple together, at the same time, bringing complementary perspectives to the conversation.
They saw firsthand how many couples were struggling with basic communication skills. While their counseling was successful, they also recognized that they could only personally serve so many couples.
They began creating practical tools that couples could use beyond the counseling room—resources designed to help husbands and wives have meaningful conversations, work through challenges, and communicate on a deeper level.
Their interactive journals, books, workshops, seminars, and retreats grew from that same desire: to equip families rather than simply counsel them.
Today, Derek and Cheryl no longer individually counsel couples. Instead, they focus on workshops, seminars, and couple retreats, allowing them to reach more families and help them strengthen their relationships.
At the center of their ministry is a passion for families to serve Jesus Christ in a real and tangible way. Their resources and teaching reflect their conviction that strong families are built intentionally—with communication, commitment, faith, and Christlike love.
Meet Derek & Cheryl
The People Behind the Ministry
Derek and Cheryl Carter have been joyfully married for over thirty years. They are authors, counselors, speakers, and ministers whose work draws from their professional experience, ministry, and life together.
They have five children and have written books and developed resources to strengthen marriages, families, and parenting relationships.
Their ministry is characterized by candor, vulnerability, humor, and practical biblical teaching. Together, they facilitate workshops, seminars, and family retreats, sharing from both their professional expertise and their personal experiences.
Derek Carter
CEO, Intentional Dad | Marriage & Family Ministry Leader
Derek is the CEO of Intentional Dad and the Administrative Director of the Strong Fathers Program of Forestdale.
An ordained minister, Derek spearheads the marriage ministry at his local church and brings a strong emphasis on practical, clear communication.
He is active in the national homeschool community and is a strong advocate for family engagement.
Derek holds a Pastoral Counseling Certificate, a BA in Urban Studies, and an MPA in Urban Policy and Administration.
Cheryl Carter
Founder & CEO, Life Legacy Books & Collegiate Learning Center
Cheryl is a mother who currently homeschools her twin sons and actively serves in her local homeschool community.
She also teaches college English and creative writing part-time and founded and leads Life Legacy Books and Collegiate Learning Center.
Her presentations are thorough and insightful, drawing on her experience in education, counseling, writing, family life, and ministry.
Cheryl holds a BA in English, an MS in Special Education, and an MFA in Creative Writing, as well as postgraduate certificates in counseling and college advisement.
Faith & Ministry
Practical. Biblical. Intentional.
Derek and Cheryl are practicing Christians who seek to live out their faith through their marriage, family, ministry, and everyday lives.
They are dedicated to helping others grow in their relationships while remaining grounded in obedience to Jesus Christ.
Their approach is transparent, practical, and biblical. When Derek and Cheryl minister together, their teaching is often extemporaneous, humorous, and rooted in real-life experience.
They believe that healthy relationships don't happen by accident. They require intentionality, honest communication, shared faith, and a willingness to grow together.
That's the foundation of Family Success.