In there ad it's says are you willing to expect a miracle in your marriage, we both were. We did the intake questionnaire . The rep called us the next day , couldn't be up front , basically told us we weren't going to be accepted till maybe a few months later. We were judged and found not worthy of a miracle. Said we needed to work on ourselves, but wanted to book us in months later??? Our marriage needs help and told us we might not be able to handle the 8 hr intensive study?? You wanna know what it was?! I was a 100 percent honest and told them when we go to night clubs on date nights I sometimes over indulge, so I was judged and alcoholic and need to recover. I own my own business and work 6 days a week I drink coffee oh wait and milk. Only problem is cheeseburgers lol. So because I don't fit their mold we weren't worth of a miracle. If you want to go to this place you better be perfect, does that sound right, doesn't to me. read more

Our marriage was completely cold. We were off track and headed in different directions. After the Marriage Intensive we could see a light beginning to shine through. It's still work, but worth every effort to restore our order nice loving marriage. read more

I was really hopeful, this place seems like an invaluable resource. I called today to see about my fiancé and I attending and it is a requirement you are married. I understand it's a "Marriage Retreat", but it's 2023. read more

If I could give this so-called program less than one star I would. My wife and I reached out To the so-called Christian base program, and they turned us down. Do not waste your money or time. We reached out for help, and they turned us away. Please find other avenues of Help. This organization only cares about percentages, not truly helping people. Please research this company before you attend. God bless read more

to start off the therapist seemed very nervous. I felt like they were going through a curriculum... So I asked is this what everyone goes through and she said yes. Did not feel organic or authentic in any way. Would not recommend.... Very expensive. You are better off finding a therapist to actually get to know you and walk the journey with you not just barrel through a curriculum. read more

Participated at the Michigan location. Wonderful, peaceful setting. I highly recommend it. Pros: It is everything they claim, and more. You and your marriage can be saved. Cons: There is no effective aftercare or support program. All the new skills you learn need time and practice. If you can't make that work on your own, the positive gains can slip away quickly. When we left, I was sure Hope Restored had saved our marriage. Now it's just another skill we can't figure out how to make work. read more

Maybe people haven't thought to write Yelp reviews yet or maybe it's just too personal? But I'm shocked as well that there aren't more raving 5 star reviews for this place. We came here for the 4 day intensive, lodging and all meals included, and our lives were changed. 4 days with 5 couples in a warm, inviting, and non judgmental environment working out their issues and learning better (or really the BEST) techniques and new tools to really help refine and grow a marriage all while learning a lot more about myself!. I'm writing this on day 3 of 4 before we have even left this place..... that's how hopeful I am going in to the rest of our marriage after spending this short but amazing time on their campus!! (married 11.5 years) The staff is UH-mazing: very friendly, funny, fun to joke with.... the food and service is crazy-good.... the accommodate for gluten free, lactose free, they were even soooo sweet to try to accommodate keto! We stayed in the cutest little single room cabin. There are like 10-11? cabins that lodge each couple and they are very cute, comfy and welcoming. If you have any problems at all communicating or trying to figure out this thing called marriage, DO THIS for your marriage! If you are on the brink of divorce: DO THIS for your marriage. If you and your spouse just need some extra insight and more tools and techniques for how to better your marriage: just DO it!!!!! You won't walk away the same Thank you FOtF!!!!! read more

If you are looking for a solution to marital strife, this is the place. There are 3 different areas to review - and in all areas NIM is incredible. The most important is the area of helping couples through their marriage issues. The approach is simple. They learn about you, help you to identify the things that set each of you off (buttons), identify why those are important, and then talk about your wants and reactions. They pull in your past, but then help you understand that you are responsible, and that your past has given you uniqueness, but it doesn't dictate who you are. They give you tools to breaking the cycle of reaction/push/reaction/push. While this may sound trite, it gives great insight and a serious approach to problem solving. Is it complicated? Not a bit of it. Is it easy to implement? Unfortunately, it can be tough at first. Is it important? Absolutely. Next, the grounds and accommodations are gorgeous. Also, there are no TVs. Talk about a place to have peace and quiet. Don't disregard the importance of this. Basically, it is calming, even if you don't realize it. Finally, the food is crazy amazing. While you are in session there are 2 or more cooks making something special just for you. It is their ministry to serve you and you can tell. They are more than kind, they are loving. If you are having serious issues, then you need to splurge and use this program. It can work, and they will give you a chance to heal and learn. read more

I am also surprised there are not more reviews about this outstanding and remarkable - for lack of a better word - program. It is intense, self-revealing, and wonderfully safe. The counselors were insightful, real, sensitive and forthright when needed. My husband and I had been separated for nine months and were two weeks away from a court date to sign final divorce papers. I was shocked that my husband said yes to going and I was surprised that I wanted to go because I felt the marriage was over (I am the one who filed). Because I wanted to be obedient to God regarding the covenant of marriage, I felt that we should give us one more chance with this intensive counseling. It was amazing and if I ever had any doubt that miracles still happen, all doubts were washed away. We not only experienced a miracle in our own lives, but in the other four couples. Three of the couples were separated and had filed for divorce and those three couples left encouraged with renewed commitment to their marriages. It was beyond description and it was very real. The hospitality was incredible - we felt as though we were on a cruise minus the ship. The food was plentiful and beyond tasty. The staff was exceptional in their service to us with their care in making us feel right at home. Their comment to us was that they wanted to take care of all of our outside needs while we spent time taking care of our inside (heart) needs. It is expensive, especially if you live on the west coast, but it is worth every cent and more. If you are having difficulties in your marriage and think there is no way your relationship can be fixed because of hurts, betrayals, or disinterest, my husband and I encourage you to give your marriage one more chance. You deserve it. The Saturday after we got home, I began to cry thinking that had we not experienced the healing from this intensive, I would have missed it. Terry and Carol Mills read more

My wife and I have a bad marriage. We attend Hope Restored in Branson. Every time the women turned on the tears, the men all sank into the sofa. My wife started by saying she is supportive and I am mean. But for nearly 20 years, she keept me from money (including from the business I opened). She does my books and for the 16 years since I opened my business she NEVER gave me a dime. Told me I don't know anything about business, don't know how money works, told she is doing a good job and I have to produce more. But I will not get paid. She puts me down in public and in private. She CARRIED me out of a meeting of friends because she demanded we go home (she also threatened to leave me at church for engaging in conversation with another parishioner) After the intensive where I was told I may have psychological issues, a counselor told me I am in an abusive marriage full of demeaning behaviors. The best part about this was the food and going into town to see the Titanic Museum. Save your money. A good divorce is better than a bad marriage! read more

The National Marriage Institute was just what we needed. Going in, I had no expectations. Coming out, it is exactly the type of help we have been searching for over 39 years. Over the course of our marriage, we have sought help many times in hopes of finding healing and advice. All of the counselors prior to NIM fell short of meeting any of our expectations and in some cases advocated divorce over reconciliation. NIM has provided the Biblically based counseling, as well as sound advice, that specially touched us spiritually and emotionally. Until now, no one has ever given us the tools to deal with our personality differences, fears, emotions and how we react to one another. What we came away with is a blessing from God. Our marriage intensive has renewed our love and passion for one another and given us hope for many more years together. Prior to going into the marriage intensive, NIM asked us if we would accept a miracle in our marriage, we said ABSOLUTELY. Once again, our faithful God had delivered another miracle in our lives. I would recommend NIM to anyone. The counselors and staff are fantastic. The facilities are "five star" and everyone at NIM are there to make your marriage work for you. read more

I am surprised there is only one review on this here. This place is beyond amazing. What they teach you is hard to implement but they give you all the tools you need to do so. It takes time and energy but its worth every second...and every penny! Don't let the price turn you away. It will be the best investment in the most important thing in your life. Your marriage. The counselors were amazing. They listened to you and would be very honest with you and said what you needed to hear even if it was not always what you wanted to hear. They teach you how to communicate and be heard and to listen. They also teach you how to care for your own heart and to have integrity no matter what your spouse is doing or not doing. The food was incredible but it was more than that. Every time we were done with a day in the intensive we were all EXHAUSTED! You would go into the huge gorgeous kitchen meeting hall (with a beautiful fireplace) and be met with kindness. The cooks and people who worked there cared about us as much as the counselors themselves. When we were there they came in to give us a book of recipes from their food and the head cook burst into tears telling us she was praying for us and our marriages. The grounds were amazing and the rooms were amazing. If you are in a hard place in your marriage and you are thinking about doing this stop thinking and just go!!! read more