Dear Colleague:
Implementing a marriage mentor program can be an exciting and powerful addition to the ministry of your church or community. A formal mentoring program often ensures that premarital couples get more preparation, and get it earlier, in their engagement; two factors which promote healthier relationships.

Consider the following benefits to implementing a marriage mentor program:

For premarital and newlywed couples, Marriage Mentors provide helpful role models during the premarital stage and first year of marriage. For Marriage Mentors, investing in other couples can be an enriching experience for their own marriages. For the clergy, a mentoring program provides a way to offer more comprehensive premarital and newlywed programs to their congregation and community. For the Church, it expands ministry options, facilitates outreach to young couples, and helps to develop more sharing and connection among members of the congregation.

Research has demonstrated that a good premarital program can help a couple get their marriage off to a better start (Doherty & Carroll, 2003; Knutson & Olson, 2004). Research also indicates programs offered six months or more prior to the wedding date, continuing on for six to 12 months after a marriage, are the most effective. A solidly equipped group of Marriage Mentor Couples will help expand and strengthen the programs offered to couples in your church and community.

We believe we have developed one of the best Marriage Mentor training programs available today. Together with some of the nation’s most respected marriage leaders, teachers and ministers, AACC has developed this training program with the hope of reducing the number of divorces within the Church and our communities nationwide.

Please look over this information. I hope to hear that you have decided to take part in this important ministry to assist other couples.

We’d love to be a part of your life!

Blessings,

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCPCC
President