In 1994, Rob and Amy Rienow were married, starting their journey as believers with a shared love for God but without a dynamic, biblical vision for their family. Over the years, God turned their hearts increasingly toward His word and towards ministering to each other and their children. Their most significant calling, they realized, was impressing the hearts of their children with a love for God. Despite admitting they have a long way to go in becoming a truly visionary family, they continue to experience God’s grace and mercy in their lives.

Their journey into family ministry began with a stark observation: many young people who were active in church during their teen years were abandoning their faith as adults. Research by George Barna in 2013 highlighted this crisis, showing that 59% of twenty-somethings stopped attending church. In their interactions with churches across the country, Rob and Amy found that two out of three empty-nest parents had at least one child who was no longer walking with the Lord. This alarming trend prompted a deep reflection on their approach to parenting and discipleship.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Deuteronomy 6: 5-6, ESV

Initially, Rob poured his energy into nurturing the faith of other people’s children as a youth pastor, while neglecting the spiritual leadership of his own family. This realization led to a profound shift, guided by the scripture Deuteronomy 6:5-6: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” They understood that their ministry needed to start at home, with their own children, and that strong family relationships were the key to resisting the enemy’s attacks.

In 2011, Visionary Family Ministries was born out of this conviction. Their mission, “Helping Families Around the World Follow Jesus,” focuses on equipping parents to be spiritual leaders in their homes. Today, Visionary Family Ministries encourages families and trains church leaders through live conferences, books, video Bible studies, and free online resources. Each year, they offer more than 50 seminars and conferences in the United States and around the world, expanding their reach to countries like Singapore, France, and Ukraine.

The ministry’s impact is evident in the transformation of families worldwide. God is moving, turning the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children back to their parents. Fathers are becoming loving spiritual leaders, and mothers are renewing their commitment to ministering at home. Visionary Family Ministries continues to bring hope to families, helping them build strong relationships and equipping them to be lighthouses for Christ in their neighborhoods. Through their efforts, the ministry underscores the vital role of families in passing faith to future generations, supporting the global church’s mission one household at a time.