My husband, John, and I recently became owners of City Church and are both excited and feel blessed to part of such an incredible church family.  I would be less than honest if I didn't say that early on when we visited City Church we questioned why God kept leading us back to a church where the majority of the population was quite a bit younger than ourselves with a style of service that was very different than what we were accustomed to.  Funny, how we often doubt His plan for our lives. It became very clear to us after hearing a Gospel centered message passionately preached in truth and with grace, week after week, that this was where God wanted us to be and this was where God wanted to use us. 

John and I have been married for twenty-two years, six of which have been involved in leading various marriage enrichment classes in the church. We have discovered that while we have greatly enjoyed leading marriage enrichment classes, we particularly delight in pre-marital counseling. Being able to share God's plan for marriage with young couples on the front end of marriage is so exciting, so rewarding and so important. Studies show that couples who engage in pre-marital counseling are far more likely to remain married. Sound, biblical premarital counseling may very well be the difference between a couple that seeks to put God's principles first in their marriage, and a marriage based on today's culture that places relationships in jeopardy. Serious consideration on the part of the soon-to-be bride and groom to commit to a time of spiritual premarital counseling-and their agreement to model their marriage after God's plan-will bring clarity to how each views the other in their "oneness" in the eyes of God. One recommendation for engaged couples- Don't wait to the last minute to try to schedule pre-marital counseling. Preparing for a wedding can be very stressful, especially the months, weeks and days right before the big day. Trying to "work in" pre-marital counseling and work on any "growth areas" can and will add to the stress. Make pre-marital counseling a priority. Make the marriage a priority. The discovery and growth that you will gain from pre-marital counseling will not only equip you for your journey into the future as husband and wife but will also greatly benefit you immediately and help solidify your oneness in the days leading up to the wedding.