About Us

At Adventuring Upstream, we believe life is an adventure to be shared in community.

Defying the Odds

Our story has always been rooted in why we do what we do. More than 30 years ago, we met in seminary—two very different people drawn together by a shared love for adventure and joy. The compatibility tests said we had an 80% chance of consistent strife. Research even labeled our particular conflict style as the worst combination for a lasting relationship. By all accounts, we should not have made it.

But from the very beginning, our passion wasn’t just about our own relationship. We wanted to help couples and teams navigate challenges before those challenges became crises. We believed prevention was far better than firefighting, and that inspired us to pursue this work.

Of course, life has a way of testing convictions. Just a few years into marriage, we found ourselves on the edge of collapse. Lisa nearly walked away. Carl silently wished she would. We were broken, holding onto knowledge but unable to turn it into the kind of life-giving communication our marriage desperately needed. For two people called to serve in Christian marriage counseling, this was devastating.

And yet, thirty years later, here we are—thriving. We discovered that hope is never out of reach, and creating a healthy marriage was not as complicated as we once believed. We found our way back to our first Love, Christ, and to the simple joy of having fun together. Over the years, as we’ve worked with thousands of couples, we’ve repeatedly seen the same truth: couples don’t just need tools, they need laughter, adventure, and genuine friendships. None of us are meant to thrive in isolation; together, so much more becomes possible.

Our Values

Kingdom Perspective

We believe in a Love greater than ourselves.

Experiential Learning

We find new tools are best integrated through practice.

Relational Integrity

We have forged a path of enjoying each other together and want to share how to do it.

Authentic Wholeness

We trust appropriate vulnerability and transparency offers encouragement to others who are growing.

Initiating Encouragement

We know isolation is detrimental and we thrive when we have the encouragement and belief of others.

Carl Peck

Carl is a wisdom catalyst with 30+ years of counseling experience, blending adventure, insight, and courage. From high-angle rescue work to guiding couples, families, and leaders, he combines a 30,000-foot perspective with practical problem-solving, helping others navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and experience lasting transformation through coaching, mentoring, and inspiring adventures.

Read Carl's Full Bio

Lisa Peck

Lisa is a relational educator who turns challenging communication and relationship dynamics into engaging, transformative experiences. With 30+ years of counseling, coaching, and spiritual formation, she brings creativity, empathy, and hands-on tools – making emotional and relational growth not just meaningful, but enjoyable and full of discovery.

Read Lisa's Full Bio

  • "Their passion for marriage, combined with their love for life and people, creates an incredible experience for every couple they encounter."

    “When I think of Lisa and Carl, the first words that come to mind are fun and adventure. Their passion for marriage, combined with their love for life and people, creates an incredible experience for every couple they encounter. I’ve had the privilege of knowing them for over 20 years and working alongside them in the marriage space – and I can confidently say they are the real deal. Their deep faith, proven expertise, and inexhaustible enthusiasm for helping couples build healthy, Christ-centered marriages make them a powerful force in any ministry setting. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or simply sharing life, Lisa and Carl bring wisdom, joy, and authenticity to everything they do.”

    Julie Baumgardner, CFLE
    Founder, Marriage on the Daily; Former President and CEO, First Things First; Co-founder, National Alliance for Relationship and Marriage Education

  • "An amazing combination of relational wisdom, skillful, therapeutic insight, and fun!"

    “Carl and Lisa are an amazing combination of relational wisdom, skillful, therapeutic insight, and fun! They are expert guides for doing the hard work of personal and relationship growth.”

    Terri Snead
    Director of Training for Relational Values Alliance

  • "Carl and Lisa have been the wind in our sails."

    “Cindy and I have been in full time ministry for 30 years.  We met Carl and Lisa 10 years ago when we launched the ministry of staff chaplains for FamilyLife.  As we listened to other people share hard things, we found ourselves in need of care as caregivers.  Carl and Lisa have been the wind in our sails.  We participated in an enrichment marriage intensive and found we have much to learn, even today after 46 years of marriage!  We learned some new things about ourselves and about God that has helped to equip and fill us up to serve others.  It’s difficult to give what you don’t have, so it is important for us to keep our marriage and our relationship with the Lord fresh and vibrant.  Carl and Lisa have been an important part of our growth and health in this season of life, both personally and professionally.  They both bring a unique gifting to the table.  We highly recommend Adventuring Upstream as a means of growth, encouragement and fun!”

    Gary and Cindy Blunier
    FamilyLife Senior Counsel to the President

  • "It is a joy to know them and be cared for and blessed by their labor of love!"

    “As a couple, Lisa and Carl have shown me God’s wisdom and love, and have been a clear example of what it really means to have a family in Christ. The practical biblical tools and ways of engaging with Jesus through their ministry and counseling have helped me, both while I was a single woman in the mission field, as well as now that my husband and I are serving as missionaries together. It is a joy to know them and be cared for and blessed by their labor of love!!”

    Valerie P

  • "Carl and Lisa Peck have a unique ability to blend the celebration and adventure of life while holding space for the hard and painful."

    “They will walk alongside you and point you to the truth and abounding love of the Lord. Carl’s sincerity and Lisa’s joy are infectious and we are so grateful for the impact they have made in our marriage and lives over the past decade.”

    Stephen and Jessica B

  • "Lisa and Carl Peck gave us the tools to enjoy a healthy and wonderful marriage."

    “I’ve heard the best premarital counseling is post marital counseling. Early in our marriage Lisa and Carl Peck gave us the tools to enjoy a healthy and wonderful marriage! They taught us to communicate and understand each other, relieving conflict and tending to each other’s needs. My wife and I always wanted to keep learning from the Pecks but they reminded us ‘we graduated’ and have what we need to do the work together. Our marriage wouldn’t be nearly as good without our time with them!”

    Robert S

  • "The way they live—wild, wholehearted, and deeply connected—has shown me that adventure and restoration actually belong together."

    “Carl and Lisa Peck have always had this rare gift of weaving adventure and healing together—and it’s contagious. They have helped me explore the depths of my own soul and discover freedom on the other side. They were a huge part of my own healing journey, and honestly, part of the reason I had the courage to start Never Alone Widows. The way they live—wild, wholehearted, and deeply connected—has shown me (and so many others) that adventure and restoration actually belong together.”

    Rachel Faulkner Brown
    Gold star widow and founding director of Never Alone Widows

  • "Her intentionality and attentive ear have encouraged me as I walk with and serve the Lord."

    “My relationship with the Lord has been strengthened as I have been getting to know Jesus as my Counselor.  Lisa’s testimony and counseling has been a game changer as I serve Christ in the mission field and as I am being trained myself to be a biblical counselor. Even as we deal with time differences and full schedules, her intentionality, follow up, and attentive ear have encouraged me as I walk with and serve the Lord. Having a loving, experienced, Scripture-centered, sister in Christ as my counselor has helped me grow as I continue to invite Jesus to heal my heart, and as I surrender my pain and weakness to Him. Lisa has lovingly challenged me to go deeper, to invite the Lord to examine my heart, and to pour it out before Him because He is indeed a trustworthy God.”

    Valerie P

  • "Lisa encourages us to look for Jesus."

    “Lisa is helping us navigate a terminal diagnosis. Through her Spirit lead counsel, Lisa encourages us to look for Jesus in the moment, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and to cry out to God in our grief.”

    David & Dawn C

  • "Lisa has positively influenced my relationships with those closest to me, helping me foster stronger, more meaningful connections."

    “Lisa has had a tremendous impact on my life. Having been a part of the military community my entire life, first as a ‘brat’ and then as a wife, I know the unique challenges and sacrifices it entails. During a particularly difficult deployment, when I needed strength and encouragement while raising three children, I began seeing Lisa. She profoundly impacted my relationship with Jesus and my family, especially my husband and children. Her guidance and wisdom have been instrumental in deepening my faith and understanding of Jesus. She taught me to give myself grace, consistently pointed me back to Jesus, and reminded me of my identity in Christ and how much my Father in Heaven delights in me. Through her insights, I have grown spiritually in ways I hadn't imagined. Beyond my spiritual journey, Lisa has also positively influenced my relationships with those closest to me, helping me foster stronger, more meaningful connections with my family and friends. I am truly grateful for Lisa's influence and the positive changes she has brought into my life.”

    Holly M

Choose Your Adventure

Adventures & Marriage Retreats

Step away from routine and into life-changing experiences. Our destination adventures and retreats help couples reconnect, realign, and renew their love with professional and spiritual guidance.

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Teaching & Training

Grow together, anywhere—we come to you with transformative teaching and interactive training, strengthening bonds and sparking joy—no matter where you are in the world.

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Your generosity helps missionaries, military families, and everyday couples access transformative experiences. Partner with us to strengthen relationships and impact communities worldwide.

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