Meet Steve and Cindy
Life By Design focuses on marriage and family counseling, with a particular emphasis on sexual wholeness—helping people embrace God's beautiful design for intimacy, healing from brokenness, and experiencing "delightful, bliss-filled peace" where "nothing is missing and nothing is broken". Cindy's approach integrates sound theology, practical insight, and professional therapy to address topics often considered taboo in Christian communities, fostering healthier conversations around sexuality, gender, and relational intimacy.
Steve A. Irwin is a dedicated servant-leader with a lifelong ministry focus on compassion, disaster response, and faith-based service to those in crisis. Steve previously served as Director of Agency Services at Convoy of Hope, a prominent faith-based humanitarian organization headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. In this role, he coordinated disaster relief efforts, managed donations, and mobilized volunteers to provide immediate aid, food, supplies, and hope to communities devastated by natural disasters across the United States and beyond.
His deep commitment to collaborative disaster ministry led him to serve as Chair of the Donations Management Committee for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD), where he bridged faith-based groups, nonprofits, and government partners to ensure efficient, compassionate delivery of relief while honoring the dignity of survivors. Steve has testified before Congress on improving emergency logistics and disaster recovery through partnership between voluntary organizations and federal agencies like FEMA. He has also contributed to Missouri's faith-based and community disaster recovery initiatives.
Currently serving with FEMA as an Emergency Management Specialist (and in related reservist roles), Steve continues his calling by helping coordinate federal disaster support, always with a heart for ministry, bringing practical help, encouragement, and the light of hope to individuals and communities. Steve's work reflects a ministry of action—demonstrating God's love through service, partnership, and resilience-building in the face of disaster.
Cindy G. Irwin is a dedicated licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Certified Christian Sex Therapist (ABCST), renowned for her compassionate work in helping individuals and couples achieve emotional, relational, and sexual wholeness through a faith-based lens. With over two decades of experience—including her long-standing involvement with Focus on the Family's Hope Restored marriage intensive program since 2003—Cindy founded and serves as the executive director of Life By Design (also known as "Life By Design Counseling LLC" and "Life By Design Ministries"), a specialized counseling center and ministry based in the Springfield, Missouri area.
Cindy is also an accomplished author, notably of the book Good Naked: God's Design for Sexual Wholeness, which offers accessible, biblically grounded guidance to help readers enjoy God's plan for a joyful and fulfilling sexual life. She has contributed articles to publications like the Assemblies of God Enrichment Journal and frequently speaks at events, retreats, and media appearances on these uplifting themes. In addition to her counseling and writing, Cindy created "Heart Care Chapel", a special ministry that supports pastors and ministry leaders facing discouragement, wounds, or family challenges.
Warm, insightful, and deeply passionate about restoration and God's good intentions for relationships, Cindy continues to inspire many through her work at Life By Design, bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to those she serves.
