About the Book

So you want to marry me?

Before we say “I do”, we need to talk!

This book is written for those providing pre-marriage counseling and those seeking pre-marriage counseling. It presents important questions that should be carefully considered before getting married. The questions are derived from my observations as a pastor counseling many couples both before and after marriage. Many times those in counseling are not themselves clear on the answers to these questions, let alone the answers of their potential spouse. Candid answers to the questions will give you critical insight about yourself and information about your loved one, which, if taken into consideration prior to the marriage, will lead to better decision making and ultimately fewer divorces.

It is important to learn from our personal history. So many who divorce find themselves in the same situation over and over again. If you are divorced, my best advice to you regarding your past mistakes is to thoughtfully mine the treasures of that bad experience.

Whether you have been married before or you are currently engaged or you are now married and experiencing challenges, this book will provide a means of going forward, revealing critical information that impacts compatibility and leads to either a successful or failed marriage. Alternatively, if you are simply considering the possibility of marriage in the future, this book will help you define what to look for in a potential spouse over and above physical attraction.

Furthermore, understand that failed marriages can result in failed faith. As the pastor of The Empowered Church in St. Louis, it is my firm belief that the church must equip individuals to develop fulfilling marriages leading to enhanced faith in God.

To that end, this book also delves into the marriage covenant and sheds light on what the Bible ‒ my preference is to use the King James Version ‒ says about the sacred marriage relationship. This will be helpful to pastors as well as couples who desire to build a lasting marriage in the Christian tradition. In addition, I believe the process laid out in this book will be helpful to participants in other faith communities as well as non-believers in coming to know each other more fully.