It happened 17 years ago to the day.

On September 11, 2011, Steve Farrar said something to Craig that would change everything: “Who do you think keeps bringing this back to your heart—again and again?” Craig answered honestly: “The Lord.” Steve replied: “Then you just need to be obedient and do this.”

That day, 36 friends and family gathered at Valley View Christian Church, and Blended Together Forever was born. We had no idea what God would do next.

From 2011 through 2015, we ran hard—speaking in churches, leading group breakouts at national ministries like Marriage Today with Jimmy Evans, Gateway Church, Hope Fellowship, Genesis Church, Preston Trail, and more. We thought that because this was God’s calling, it would automatically multiply.

When it didn’t, doubt crept in. “God, did we hear You wrong?” “Am I doing something wrong?”

It was Gina who said, “You should meet with Steve Farrar.” He was leading a powerful men’s ministry under Chuck Swindoll at the time. That’s when he gave us that word of truth—the reminder that obedience is what God honors.

Who Was Steve Farrar?

Dr. Steve Farrar (1949–2022) was a pastor, author, and founder of Men’s Leadership Ministries. He held a doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary and was best known for his bestselling book Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family, which became a foundational resource for Christian men seeking to lead their families with courage and faith. Over his 30-year ministry, Steve spoke at more than 600 men’s conferences across North America, including Promise Keepers, and authored over 20 books focused on godly leadership and spiritual resilience.

Since then, our journey has seen highs and lows. One of the biggest moments came in 2018 when Craig delivered a keynote at FamilyLife Blended on “How to Be a Successful Stepdad”—a powerful message that resonated deeply.

Stonebriar Community Church helped re-launch us with fresh strategy, and today, we’re back at it—with renewed purpose, refined focus, and a relentless belief that blended families deserve support, tools, and truth.

As we mark this 17-year milestone, we’re more convinced than ever: This calling isn’t fading. It’s being refined. And we’re just getting started.

Thanks for being part of the story. — Craig & Gina