"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock."

Laying a Christ-Centered Foundation for a 'til death do us part Marriage

Premarital Counseling is where Agape Pastoral Services began back in 2008. Since then, we’ve had the joy and privilege of working with hundreds of engaged and pre-engaged couples from all over the world. Whether you’re in your late teens or getting married later in life, preparing for your first marriage or navigating a blended family, we believe you're never too young—or too old—to build your marriage on a solid biblical foundation.

Our team has worked with couples from all walks of life—professional athletes, business leaders, teachers, first responders, students, ministry leaders, and everything in between. Each story is unique, but the desire is the same: to start strong and finish well.

Our process is simple, structured, and deeply intentional. We meet for eight sessions, usually over the span of a few months, either in person (if you're local to Anoka, MN) or virtually (if you're elsewhere in the country or world). This format gives couples space to reflect, engage, and grow between sessions while moving at a meaningful and manageable pace.

What makes our approach unique is that we blend together:

• Decades of combined personal marriage experience
• A rich foundation of biblical truth and practical life application
• Insight from working with hundreds of married, premarried, and individual clients

In short, we know what derails marriages, and we know what helps keep them on track. We bring that wisdom into every session, not to overload or overwhelm, but to lovingly equip you to thrive in every season ahead.

We use the Prepare/Enrich Assessment as our starting point. This tool gives us a detailed view of your relationship across key areas like communication, conflict resolution, family dynamics, finances, spiritual beliefs, sexual expectations, and roles. It helps identify strengths to build on and areas that need intentionality, providing a framework for healthy conversations and strategic coaching.

We believe every couple should enter marriage as equipped and prepared as possible. Think about it—virtually every other significant endeavor in life (education, career, parenting) requires preparation and training. Yet many enter marriage hoping it will simply work out. But great marriages don’t just happen, they’re built with wisdom, humility, and intentional investment.

Proverbs 24:3-4 says, "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." This is what we aim to help you do—build a home, not just a wedding day. We’ll help you develop not only the skills and knowledge but also the spiritual maturity and mindset needed to sustain a life-giving, Christ-centered marriage.

If you’re looking to:

• Start your marriage with clarity and confidence
• Deepen your emotional and spiritual connection
• Identify blind spots before they become breakdowns
• Grow your understanding of God’s design for marriage
• Equip yourselves with tools for communication, decision-making, finances, and intimacy

Then Premarital Counseling at Agape Pastoral Services is for you.

Whether you’re engaged, seriously dating, or preparing for remarriage, we would love to walk with you during this sacred season. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call with Todd or Liz to ask questions, learn more about our process, and see if we’d be a good fit to walk with you as you prepare for a lifelong covenant.

Let’s build something beautiful—together, with Christ at the center.

Curriculum - This amazing curriculum was created in-house by our founder Todd LaVine and his wife and it is based on a fairly exhaustive study and knowledge of God's Word, his experience of working with hundreds of married couples over 25 years, and 38 wonderful years of marriage! It doesn't get any more hands on than this! If you would like to check out a snap shot of the curriculum and get a quick overview of what you will learn and cover, please scroll to the bottom of this page or click here.

 This package includes: (Payment Options Available)

• 7 x (60 minute) sessions.
• 1 x (90 minute) session. (When scheduling this session, please schedule it as your THIRD session.
• 8 Sessions in total!
• One (30 minute) follow-up session 6 months after you're married.
• One Prepare-Enrich Compatibility Assessment.
• Two Workbooks created by Todd and Jodi LaVine.
• Self-Growth Teaching Handouts that are emailed and uploaded into your account.

*At the Packages Page can select if you would like to work with Todd or Liz.

*Discovery Calls do not guarantee that we will work together. It is at the complete discretion of Agape and the Couple as to whether or not they will work together for any reason.