When George and Tondra Gregory first got married nearly 30 years ago, they didn’t have a “game plan.” Despite being deeply in love, they found themselves struggling to navigate the complexities of marriage—different personalities, lack of preparation, and no roadmap for unity. But rather than giving up, they leaned into their faith, fought through the hardships, and turned their pain into purpose. Today, they are nationally recognized marriage coaches, authors, and chaplains for the Los Angeles Chargers, using their story to help others win—on and off the field.
(We invite you to listen to the conversation between Jalon Caldwell and George and Tondra Gregory in the podcast below.)
“The reason why we're doing marriage ministry today started with our own personal story and our own personal struggles,” Tondra shared. “We struggled in our marriage but once we figured out how to make it work, we said, ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve got to help as many couples as we can figure this thing out.’”
The Gregorys have spentmore than two decades doing just that—guiding thousands of couples through faith-based mentorship, biblical principles, and practical tools. Their influence spans from NFL locker rooms to stages at Saddleback Church, Lakewood, and even the NBA All-Star Breakfast. But they’ll be the first to tell you that the most powerful moments don’t always happen in front of thousands.
“I remember a retreat we did where a couple came in on the brink of divorce after 40 years of marriage,” Tondra recalled. “At the end, the wife said, ‘I think you just helped save a 40-year marriage.’ That made a significant impact on us. We are doing generational work.”
Their work with NFL couples gives them a unique perspective on the added pressures professional athletes and their families face—schedules packed with travel, high stakes, and constant public scrutiny. “Their life is under the microscope 24 hours a day,” George explained. “We get to mess up in our marriage in silence. They don’t.”
Still, their message remains rooted in hope. One of the Gregorys’ core beliefs is that mentorship—especially in the church—is crucial for strong marriages. Yet only about 20% of churches in America have an active marriage ministry.
“Marriage is such a private struggle,” Tondra said. “But if couples feel comfortable and connected to a mentoring couple, they’re more likely to reach out for help.” George added, “In the sports world, we know that coaching is what turns average players into elite players. Marriage is no different. Churches need more couples willing to coach others, to say, ‘Here’s where we struggled, and here’s how we overcame it.’”
Their approach to mentorship and counseling also bridges the gap between faith-filled and secular audiences. “You don’t always have to give scripture and verse,” George said. “But God’s Word is like a playbook. These are plays we can run to win in life and love.”
As a former therapist in a secular clinic, Tondra has seen firsthand how biblical principles work regardless of the audience. “Truth is truth,” she said. “People would leave feeling better and not even know why. Even in New York City—where less than 3% identified as Christian at the time—our premarital classes were packed with couples hungry for answers.”
Their biblical foundation remains at the heart of their work, especially when dealing with couples in crisis. For Tondra, the concept of “oneness” is key. “God created marriage to be a reflection of His design for unity,” she explained. “You're trying to take two unique, God-designed individuals and make them operate as one. That’s not easy. But when couples learn to embrace each other’s differences rather than reject them, that’s transformational.”
George emphasized the importance of redemption. “Some people think it’s easier to start over than for God to redeem a marriage,” he said. “But we’ve seen over and over again that when you put your marriage in God's hands, He can bring a powerful comeback.”
This summer, the Gregorys will share their insights in a new way with the release of their book "The Marriage Game Plan," set to hit shelves August 5th. The book is more than just principles on paper—it’s a playbook born from experience.
“We didn’t have a solid game plan when we got married, and we struggled,” George said. “But once we defined our win in life, figured out the legacy we wanted to leave, and started running the same plays on the same team, everything changed.”
As marriage coaches, speakers, and spiritual mentors, George and Tondra Gregory are proof that love, when guided by purpose and a higher calling, can not only endure—but thrive. Their message to couples is clear: no matter where you are in your relationship, it’s not too late to find your game plan—and win.
You can reach Journey For Life at https://journeyforlifenow.org/
You can reach George Gregory on Instagram or Facebook @GeorgeAGregory
You can reach Tondra Gregory on Instagram or Facebook @TondraGregory