Our Staff
Stan graduated from Calvin College in 1964 with majors in mathematics and literature. After college, he spent one year teaching at Mkar Teachers College in Nigeria. He then lived and studied for a year in Israel before attending Calvin Theological Seminary, graduating with a B.D. degree in 1969. While in seminary, he married Margaret De Boer. In 1969 they moved to Nigeria and both taught at Bristow Secondary School in Gboko. Their daughter Christy was born in 1970. In 1974 it was discovered that Margaret had breast cancer and the family needed to return to the States for medical attention.
Jonathan was born in 1974, and Stan began working at Vermeer Manufacturing in 1975 in the agricultural experimental area. Margaret died in 1978 and Stan married Alma Verdon in 1980. David was born in 1982, the same year that Stan was named as President of Vermeer Manufacturing. Stan left Vermeer at the end of 1986.
For many years Stan has pursued the study of understanding of the nature of the human personality, and how that affects personal relationships. He has developed several studies on developing great relationships, and currently is focusing on marriage relationships.
Since 2009, Stan and Alma have been involved in developing and operating The Relationship Enrichment Center at Strawtown Inn. Stan has been focusing on giving the seminar “Habits for a Fantastic Marriage,” while Alma is responsible for managing the facilities.
Stan: Founder/Executive Director | Alma: Facilities Director
Stan and Alma Vermeer
Dr. Mark S. Majors is a pastoral counselor, author and educator with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska. He has 22 years of experience in providing premarital, couples and family counseling in the church.
Dr. Mark is a recognized expert in using personality differences to reduce conflict and stress in relationships. His Biblical approach to psychology makes him a perfect fit for the workshops at Developing Great Relationships. He has a passion to help believers experience the joy of a godly Christian marriage.
Program Director
Dr. Mark Majors
JD Duval has been in full time ministry for over 15 years serving as director of an inner-city food bank, Baltimore inner city missions (living in the 'hood with his wife and children while ministering to children, drug addicts and drug dealers for 5 years), staff and senior pastor positions, and missionary to Ukraine for over three years. While in Ukraine he and Sherry, his wife of 20 years, were directors of a Bible school, networked with Ukrainian pastors and ministered to Gypsies. JD brings to Developing Great Relationships experience with counseling couples from many backgrounds and a desire to see couples fulfill the call God has on their lives.
He is a graduate of Cromwell Christian School of Ministry in Baltimore, MD and Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, OK. JD is an ordained minister and is licensed through Rhema Ministerial International Association. He and his wife have 4 children and numerous grandchildren.
JD: Seminar Presenter | Sherry: Administrative Assistant
