Joanna, the founder of GEM, is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Washington Bible College, and Wheaton Graduate School. Joanna is passionate about seeing God’s transforming power change lives. After 2 decades of vocational ministry, she now leads retreats, seminars, and mentoring groups. She combines her formal training in Bible and interpersonal communication skills with her many years of classroom teaching and church ministry. Joanna and her husband Steve reside in Gainesville, Florida. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. 

Steve is a marriage counselor in private practice since 1996. He specializes in helping couples create a safe environment for open and supportive communication. Steve holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Florida. As a former pastor, Steve integrates his scriptural and clinical training, permitting him to share relational insights embedded in scriptural truth.