Mark Odland (MA, LMFT, MDIV) and Angela Johnson (MA, LMFT) are licensed marriage and family therapists with specialized experience in Christian premarital counseling. Their approach is warm, practical, and supportive, helping couples develop healthy communication, deepen emotional connection, strengthen relationship skills, and recognize areas that may need attention before marriage. Below is an overview of how they guide couples through the premarital counseling process.
Christian Premarital Counseling in Minnesota
Christian premarital counseling gives couples the space to slow down and talk about the things that actually matter before marriage. In Minnesota, we work with engaged couples who want more than surface-level advice. They want honest conversations, clear tools, and guidance that aligns with their faith.
We see Christian premarital counseling as an investment. It’s not about fixing problems, but about building a strong foundation before patterns set in. When couples take the time to prepare intentionally, they enter marriage with more confidence, unity, and understanding of each other.
Preparing for Marriage With Faith at the Center
Faith plays a central role in our premarital counseling. We help couples explore how their beliefs influence communication, expectations, conflict, and long-term commitment. This includes discussing spiritual values, shared goals, and how faith shows up during stressful seasons.
By keeping Christ at the center of the process, couples learn how to approach challenges with humility, grace, and teamwork rather than blame or avoidance.
Why Premarital Counseling Matters Before the Wedding
Most couples come into Christian premarital counseling feeling excited, hopeful, and busy planning their wedding. What often gets overlooked is the space to slow down and talk about the deeper parts of marriage.
We help couples have honest conversations about expectations, communication, finances, intimacy, family history, and faith. These topics don’t always come up naturally, especially when things are going well. Talking through them before the wedding helps prevent surprises later.
We’ve seen how counseling strengthens relationships by teaching couples how to listen, speak clearly, and work through differences with respect. Learning these skills early builds confidence and trust as couples enter marriage together.
Our PREPARE Program for Christian Premarital Counseling
Our Christian premarital counseling process is built around the PREPARE Program, a trusted relationship assessment used by counselors around the world. We use this program because it gives couples real insight into their relationship, not generic advice.
The PREPARE Program begins with an online assessment that both partners complete individually. From there, we use the results to guide meaningful conversations during your sessions. This approach helps us move beyond surface topics and focus on building a strong foundation for marriage.
What the PREPARE Assessment Covers
The PREPARE assessment looks at key areas that often shape marriage over time. This includes communication styles, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, parenting expectations, family of origin, roles in marriage, leisure time, and spiritual beliefs.
These insights help couples understand where they are aligned and where growth may be needed. The assessment highlights strengths to build on while gently bringing important differences into the open. This makes each session focused, honest, and productive.
How the PREPARE Program Strengthens Your Relationship
The PREPARE Program strengthens relationships by creating clarity and shared understanding. Instead of guessing what might become an issue later, couples address important topics now in a supportive and structured setting.
Through Christian premarital counseling, couples learn how to talk through sensitive subjects with respect and openness. Couples leave feeling closer, more confident, and better prepared for marriage because they’ve already practiced working through real-life conversations together.
How Long Premarital Counseling Takes
The length of Christian premarital counseling depends on the couple and the depth of conversations needed, but we generally recommend planning for about three months. This allows enough time to move through the PREPARE Program without rushing important discussions.
Some couples may need fewer sessions, while others benefit from taking a bit longer. Our goal is never to rush the process, but to make sure couples feel grounded, prepared, and confident as they move toward marriage.
When to Start Before Your Wedding Date
We encourage couples to begin Christian premarital counseling as early as possible after getting engaged, or even before getting engaged. Starting early reduces pressure and allows flexibility if deeper topics surface through the PREPARE assessment.
Beginning well before the wedding also gives couples the freedom to slow things down if needed. In our experience, taking the time to prepare thoughtfully leads to a stronger connection and greater peace going into marriage, rather than feeling rushed at the finish line.
More Information About the Christian Premarital Counseling PREPARE Program
Christian premarital counseling using the PREPARE Program helps couples step into marriage with clarity, confidence, and stronger communication. We’ve seen how valuable it can be when couples take time to prepare intentionally rather than rushing into marriage without guidance.
The PREPARE Program has been trusted by millions of couples and continues to be a meaningful part of our counseling process. It highlights strengths, brings important topics into focus, and supports healthier conversations before the wedding.
If you’re looking for Christian premarital counseling in Minnesota, we’d be honored to work with you.
To schedule a free initial appointment or ask any questions, call 651-243-2484 or contact us online. We typically respond within one business day.
