The Foundations of a Strong Relationship

In every relationship, whether romantic, familial, or even platonic, two essential pillars form the foundation: faith and communication. These two elements work in tandem to foster trust, understanding, and resilience, making the relationship not only functional but also fulfilling.

Welcome to the final episode of this season on The Slide, hosted by Tavares Bethel! Throughout the season, Tavares and his guests explored community, personal growth, and activism, with the goal of sparking thought-provoking dialogue and inspiration. To close out, we are thrilled to feature a deeply inspiring couple, Fred and Michelle Herring of Citadel Church, who lead a couples ministry and embody the transformative power of love, faith, and honesty in relationships.

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Episode 9: Season 1 Finale: A Journey of Love and Faith with Fred and Michelle Herring

Season 1 of the Slide ends with a special interview with Fred and Michelle Herring from the Citadel Church Couples Ministry. The Herring couple shares their touching journey, revealing the importance of honesty, faith, and mutual respect in relationships. They offer practical advice for couples on how to enrich their relationships, highlighting the power of prayer, communication, and understanding.

See Time Stamps for this video at the end of this article.

Fortifying Love with Honesty

How do you stay married and maintain a healthy relationship with your partner? It’s a question that often arises, especially in a world where lasting relationships seem increasingly rare. For Fredrick and Michelle Herring, who have built a 33-year marriage, the answer is clear: faith and communication. These two pillars have been the guiding force through every challenge, joy, and change, creating a foundation that has only grown stronger with time.

Meet the Herrings

Michelle and Fred’s story is one of faith, resilience, and a foundation built on honesty. Michelle, originally from the Virgin Islands but raised in Brooklyn, New York, grew up with a strong focus on discipline and education. She recalls meeting Fred in Memphis, Tennessee, where they connected over shared values, shopping trips, and attending church together. For Michelle, the connection was clear from the start. She recalls, “We went to an all-night prayer service, and God told me, ‘This is going to be your husband.’”

Fred, who hails from Florida, adds his own humor and sincerity to their story. He admits, "I went up to see Michelle…she has some nice legs. I was gonna help her out and just, you know, befriend.” Although there was a mutual attraction, Fred didn’t let it steer him off course; he maintained a commitment to honesty, even admitting his initial interest in another woman. Michelle remembers this candid moment as a turning point, saying, "I had never had a guy do me like that…so for him to be honest, I could respect that."

Faith and Communication

Fred and Michelle’s relationship blossomed on a foundation of faith and open communication, core elements that they emphasize in their ministry. Faith provided them both with the resilience to handle the ups and downs, including the loss of Michelle’s job shortly after their marriage. In the face of hardship, their shared values and mutual respect allowed them to lift each other up rather than drift apart.

Fred’s approach to honesty was one of his guiding principles: “I never played games with girls.” His transparency allowed Michelle to see his true character and intentions, which cultivated trust early on. This faith, grounded in honesty, is what they believe has been key to the strength of their relationship.

Lessons in Love, Sacrifice, and Compromise

Fred and Michelle’s story is not only about love but about the ongoing commitment to compromise, sacrifice, and understanding. Fred shares a practical insight: “You’re gonna have to find a common goal that you both can reach towards.” This speaks to the necessity of compromise in any relationship—a shared path forward that each partner can believe in.

Michelle describes love as “sometimes sacrificing what you want for the other person…setting aside yourself for the betterment of that other person.” For them, love is an act of giving and adjusting, and it’s this type of sacrificial love that creates a lasting partnership. Fred adds, “Love is sacrificial…being able to see beyond yourself and meet that need.” Their journey shows that love and honesty are not just feelings but actions that involve consciously placing the other person’s well-being alongside your own.

Strengthening the Bonds

Listening to Fred and Michelle, it’s evident that faith and communication are the lifelines of a strong relationship. Faith is the anchor, and communication is the bridge, providing a path to navigate challenges together. For the Herrings, faith in each other and the belief that they were meant to be together carried them through even the toughest of times, while open communication allowed them to address issues before they grew too big to handle.

As co-leaders for their church's Marriage Ministry, they encourage couples to set aside time for meaningful conversations, noting that, in busy lives, it’s easy to fall into routine exchanges that lack depth. These deep, intentional check-ins help maintain a connection, strengthening both faith and communication in the relationship.

Closing Reflections

As The Slide concludes this season, Tavares Bethel reminds us of the journey we’ve shared—from personal stories to societal issues—with the goal of cultivating growth and understanding. Fred and Michelle’s insights on love, honesty, and faith offer a profound takeaway as we look forward to a new season: relationships thrive on truth, respect, and a willingness to be vulnerable.

To everyone who has joined us on The Slide, thank you for tuning in, engaging, and reflecting with us. We look forward to continuing these important conversations, fueled by stories that challenge, inspire, and uplift in 2025.

Meet our Guests

Fredrick Herring

A graduate of Florida A & M University with a bachelor's of science, Fredrick is currently serving as co-leader of the Marriage Ministry at the Citadel Church of Jacksonville, Florida with his wife, Michelle. He is excited about having the opportunity to help married and engaged couples navigate the transitional stages of relationships while building their lives in the community for the glory of God’s kingdom.

Fredrick’s ability to bridge the gap between the secular and the religious arenas has afforded him the opportunity to have held (Senior CTS – Specialist - International Paper) and hold (Process – Assistant - Amazon) numerous leadership positions in both corporate America and the church. He has a proven record of embracing change and being a mentor/motivator wherever he is serving. 

Michelle Herring

Born in St. Thomas USVI, Michelle grew up in Brooklyn, NY where she attended Midwood High and obtained a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. Her first job out of college was in Human Resources with International Paper in Georgetown, SC. She later transferred to HQ in Memphis, where she met her husband, Fredrick. Michelle serves as the co-leader of the Marriage Ministry at the Citadel Church of Jacksonville with her husband, Fredrick.

Fredrick and Michelle have been married for 33 years, and they are the proud parents of four adult children.

Episode Notes

The last episode of the Season also reflects on past guests and the impactful discussions held throughout the season, emphasizing the show's mission to inspire and evolve human consciousness. Season 2 of the Slide Podcast will return in 2025.  
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:45 Meet the Herrings: Michelle's Story
02:57 Meet the Herrings: Frederick's Story
06:18 Building a Strong Relationship
09:35 Navigating Challenges Together
19:19 The Essence of Love
22:47 Season Recap and Future Plans
26:49 Closing Remarks and Thank You