We are committed to leading engaged couples into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by:

* Preparing couples for a life-long Christian marriage and providing them with opportunities to heal, learn and grow.

* Assisting couples in preparing for a joyful wedding while upholding the values of a Christ-centered ceremony. _{^{Plan your wedding>>}}

* Surrounding couples with a dedicated support system of dedicated pastors, faithful mentors and a caring community.

* Providing couples with post-wedding opportunities to nourish and sustain their marriage. _{^{Learn about marriage enrichment>>}}

We accomplish these goals through our marriage preparation program, which is required if you wish to be married by a Calvary pastor.  

Program requirements

Through the marriage preparation program, couples are required to:

* Complete two marriage application questionnaires:

Bride Marriage Application Questionnaire & Wedding Information

Groom Marriage Application Questionnaire  

These forms must be returned within two weeks of scheduling your wedding or your date request will be removed from the calendar.

* Take the online Prepare/Enrich Relationship Inventory (your presiding pastor will e-mail instructions).

* Meet with a trained marriage mentor couple for three or more sessions utilizing the Before I Do workbook.

* Meet with your presiding pastor for three or more sessions. 

There is a $200 fee to cover the cost of materials (other wedding fees are not included in this fee).  

The marriage preparation program needs to be completed at least one month prior to your wedding date.

Program values

The marriage preparation program was developed to address five key values:

Vision

"We've explored God's vision for our marriage and have learned that our marriage covenant can be an instrument and an advertisement for God's Kingdom."
Calvary's method: The Before I Do workbook (with marriage mentors)
Rationale: Through the Before I Do workbook, couples deepen their understanding of God’s vision for their marriage, and they explore how that vision can be expressed in the various dimensions of their relationship. 

Community

"We've developed relationships with other engaged couples and shared our experience with them as we pursued God's vision together."
Calvary's method: The Before I Do workbook (with marriage mentors)
Rationale: Working with mentors teaches a couple to incorporate the wisdom of others in their growing relationship, a skill that will decrease the likelihood of isolation after the wedding.

Scientifically Proven Tools

"A Calvary pastor and/or mentor couple used our Prepare/Enrich Relationship Inventory results to help us develop our strength and growth areas in our relationship."
Calvary's method: The Prepare/Enrich Relationship Inventory
Rationale: The Prepare/Enrich Relationship Inventory is a scientifically proven tool that helps empower high-level pastoral counseling tailored to the couple's unique dynamics.

Mentoring

"We have enjoyed opportunities to be prayed for and supported by a trained mentor couple. We can still contact our mentor couple for support, and we feel more connected to the congregation."
Calvary's method: Trained marriage mentors support and encourage every couple who marries at Calvary.
Rationale: Our committed marriage mentors are eager to support engaged couples preparing for marriage and beyond the wedding ceremony. This has proven to be one of the most meaningful experiences for our engaged couples, and so we are proud to offer this wonderful opportunity.

Investment

"We learned that we must invest in our marriage as the top priority, especially amidst the overwhelming details and demands of wedding plans. As the Parable of the Sower reminds us, we must prevent the cares, pursuits and concerns of life from eroding our commitment to Christ and to each other."
Calvary's method: Required investment of 12 hours of pre-marital counseling and education (the state's recommended minimum) and a cost of $200 for the marriage preparation program.
Rationale: The stress of wedding plans, similar to the distractions couples will face for the rest of their lives, requires couples to intentionally invest in their relationship. For couples wanting to make that investment, the marriage preparation program is a wonderful opportunity to prepare for a life-long Christian marriage.