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Chris and Jen Coursey lead and design the THRIVE training program that uses Life Model principles to promote relational joy, healing, maturity and recovery in individuals, families, communities and churches. Chris is an ordained minister, a pastoral counselor, published author and international speaker while Jen is a teacher, THRIVE facilitator, author and synchronized dance instructor. Chris and Jen run THRIVE training under the experienced leadership team known as Shepherd's House.
THRIVE Training, P.O. Box 2376, East Peoria, IL. 61611 Telephone: (309) 699-0171 Email Chris Email Jen |
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Chris' Testimony: My mother had faithfully driven us kids to church every Sunday. At five years old I told her, “Mommy, when I get older I want to be a pastor.” My dreams took other forms too; I wanted to be a movie star, baseball, basketball or a racquetball player. Even though I had talent, intelligence and many things came easily for me; I would blow one chance after another. I quit time after time. In grade school I found school, learning and testing easy. My teachers and principal recommended me to take an entrance examination at an elite school. I took the test but I purposefully flunked so I could stay in my grade school with my friends. My fears slowing took over my life but I thought I was having fun. Ask me if I was afraid and I would have laughed, unless you asked about public speaking. I was terrified! |
Jen's Testimony: I wasn't able to be consistent. I would learn things and not be able to apply them, like learning I needed to rest when overwhelmed but not be able to apply it when needed. I could not follow a daily routine. Fears often kept me up late so there was no knowing when I would get up or if I would have energy to do anything the next day. Emotions and fears overwhelmed me to the point I quit my school internship with no notice and moved out of state. It was this point where my life crossed paths with Chris. |
Equip your family, church, community or ministry!
| Maturity Retreats Host or attend a profound weekend of teaching and hands-on exercises to help you reach your God-given potential. Maturity does not grow on trees nor can it be gained by studying theology or hearing a good sermon. Maturity is human responsibility that requires individuals and communities to work together. Bring a maturity weekend to your church. Bring lasting change to your community. Because maturity is measured in stages, a THRIVE maturity retreat allows community members to discover their earned maturity and identify the next step in their development. The maturity retreat is not designed to replace the community with a seminar nor is it designed to advance people into their next stage of maturity in the seminar itself. Read More |
Rekindled Marriage Retreats Experience the most popular addition to the THRIVE training package! Enjoy a weekend with your spouse to strengthen your marriage, build joy and change fear to love. Practice creative exercises designed to improve how you communicate and help you and your spouse recover when things go wrong. This is not your average marriage retreat! Discover the neurochemistry of bonding and learn solutions to better equip your life and marriage. THRIVE Marriage Retreats combine theory with hands-on joyful practice so you walk away with skills, healing and hope - not just more information. Learn more how Rekindled Marriage Retreats bring refreshing joy to marriages! Read More |
THRIVE Training Attend THRIVE with your spouse, friend or prayer partner! THRIVE training is unlike anything out there. The combination of brain science with the active Presence of Jesus creates lasting changes to your life, marriage, family and church. Be prepared to practice hands-on exercises in a relational environment when you come to THRIVE. Register for THRIVE or, if your church has enough interest, consider hosting a THRIVE in your city! Find real solutions to your problems. THRIVE for me. THRIVE for my family. THRIVE for my leaders. Read More |
 Contact Chris if you want Life Model applications to your family, community, church and ministry. Learn how recent discoveries in brain science, the Presence of Jesus and Biblical wisdom create joyful character change. |
Read how THRIVE training changes lives.
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Current Activity
Along with his wife Jennifer, Chris develops the THRIVE training program and leads weekend retreats. Priorities include prayer training ministry, discipleship and equipping leaders with THRIVE training skills. Chris spends much of his time enjoying sons Matthew and Andrew as well as writing and developing materials, studying, fostering relationships, jogging and walking his Chocolate Lab Samson. Chris enjoys equipping God's people so they live according to their faith and values and remain effective in ministry, marriage and relationships. Teaching the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith is another activity Chris enjoys.
Chris and Jen are active members of New Life Christian Church in Morton, Illinois.
Training and Education
From Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Illinois, Chris transferred to
Chris sums up his ministry and mission as, “to help people be full of life and experience Jesus Christ as a reality”. Dr. Jim Wilder mentors and has trained Chris as Chris lectures nationally and internationally on material he authors concerning the effects of trauma and trauma recovery. Chris is known for his relational and community approach to trauma recovery and growth. Chris now operates THRIVE from East Peoria, IL. with his wife Jennifer. Chris trains counselors and leaders how to use the 19 skills in ministry, he offers personal ministry and specializes in maturity and trauma recovery issues. Chris consults churches and groups on how to effectively reach their potential, perceive the active presence of God, avoid pitfalls, stay resourceful and rebuild after a crisis.
Accomplishments
Chris is a published author with three books in print. Share Immanuel, The Healing Lifestyle written with Dr. Jim Wilder is translated in multiple languages. Chris and his wife Jen recently completed three skill guide workbooks that are now published, Year One: Mastering Joy and Rest, Year Two: Mastering Returning to Joy and Year Three: Mastering Applied Strategy. Each skill guide is a 52-week brain training, character-building workbook designed to train skills and experience the Immanuel lifestyle. These skill guides are the beginning steps of a THRIVE training package for communities and churches. Each guide equips THRIVE attendees to continue their skill training practice. Chris and Jen are currently working on an additional training booklet for busy married couples to accompany THRIVE Marriage Retreats.
Chris and Jen developed the new THRIVE-at-Home online courses that are prerequisites for each track of THRIVE. The Courseys released two training videos, one called, Steps to Joy on synchronized dancing. The other, a pre-THRIVE 12 week study video called, Sensible Strategies, a Beta version for the new Belonging module by Pastor Ed Khouri and Dr. Jim Wilder. Both Chris and Jen intend to expand the THRIVE training with additional training videos and resources.
Chris offers articles on topics pertaining to maturity, healing, healthy marriages, the role and significance of redemptive Christian community, addiction and trauma recovery, primary attachments and bonding as well as other topics related to Scripture and the Christian experience. One article in particular on Bonds and Attachments, was published in Promise, an international magazine in January of 2004.
Chris develops, organizes and trains leaders and groups at THRIVE. Chris travels to speak at various Christian conferences and training seminars each year. THRIVE has grown exponentially in the US and is now offered in Canada with interest around the globe. Read THRIVE life-changing stories.
Speaking Engagements
Chris and Jen speak and train nationally and internationally on the importance of joy, godly character and 19 brain-based relational skills for families and communities to successfully reach their potential. See upcoming events.