Build Your Marriage on a Christ-Centered Foundation
Premarital Coaching with Heartland Christian Coaching
Prepare for more than a wedding day. Prepare for a lifetime of covenant love grounded in Christ.
At Heartland Christian Coaching, we help couples enter marriage with clarity, unity, and a strong spiritual foundation. Through guided premarital coaching with SYMBIS, you will gain practical tools, deeper understanding, and biblical wisdom to build a marriage that honors God.
Start your journey today.
Marriage Is God’s Design
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24
Marriage is not just a commitment—it is a covenant created by God. Our mission is to help couples prepare for that covenant with intentionality, truth, and grace.
We believe strong marriages are built through:
Christ at the center
Honest communication
Spiritual unity
Servant-hearted love
Lifelong commitment
What Is Premarital Coaching?
Premarital coaching is a guided process that helps couples explore the most important areas of marriage before they say “I do.”
Rather than discovering challenges later, you’ll address them now—with wisdom, structure, and biblical perspective.
Through this process, you will:
Understand each other more deeply
Identify strengths and growth areas
Learn how to communicate effectively
Prepare for real-life challenges
Build a shared vision for your future
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Meet Your Coach: Jamie Bogaard
With over 25 years of experience as a Youth Pastor and Lead Pastor, Jamie Bogaard brings a wealth of wisdom and heart to his ministry. He currently serves as the Pastor of Adventure Life Church in Altoona, where his passion is to help couples prepare not just for their wedding day but for a thriving married life that lasts a lifetime.
A certified SYMBIS facilitator for over 8 years, Jamie has helped numerous couples build a strong foundation. Developed by doctors Les and Leslie Parrott, SYMBIS stands for "Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts." Jamie is also a "Prepare Enrich" certified coach with 4 years of experience in the field.
After couples complete a SYMBIS assessment online, Jamie spends intentional time with them to help them understand their unique personalities and how their views of marriage fit together. The goal is to explore how couples complement each other while honestly addressing the challenge areas they may encounter.
In pre-marital coaching, Jamie guides couples through things they might already know about each other but have never deeply discussed. Together, they discover the areas of marriage mindset, social support, finances, expectations, love, and communication—always bringing in God’s design for marriage across every topic.
Education & Experience
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Bachelors in Elementary Education – Central College, Pella, Iowa
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SYMBIS Certified Coach – (8+ years)
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"Prepare Enrich" Certified Coach – (4 years)
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25+ Years of Pastoral Leadership – Youth Pastor & Lead Pastor roles
Meet Your Coach: Gary Bell
I specialize in helping people of all ages and backgrounds who are experiencing imbalance in their personal, family, or professional life. I work with thousands of clients through various life changes, parenting, crises, death, and relationships. I pace myself to the client's needs and work quickly, using core values universal to all walks of life. Currently, since 2013, I have had a weekly international radio/internet show on Voiceamerica.com. The Empowerment channel called "Dr. Gary Bell's Absurd Psychology."
I am a fully trained crisis counselor for Police, Fire, and Emergency in regards to debriefings and therapy. I hope to work with you as a therapist, group leader, or educator to help you maximize your life and the lives of the people who support you.
My therapeutic orientation is thought- and behavior-oriented. I attempt to work BRIEFLY (average 4-8 sessions) in a cooperative relationship with the client. Pacing of therapy depends upon the client's issues and desire to work through issues. I am proactive, straight-forward, sometimes humorous borrowing from many theories.
Your Roadmap to a Strong Marriage
Our premarital coaching process is simple, structured, and personalized to your relationship.
Marriage Preparation Plan
Marriage Preparation Plan You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan to continue building a healthy, Christ-centered marriage.
Coaching Sessions
Together, we walk through key topics with biblical guidance and practical tools to strengthen your relationship.
Relationship Assessment
You’ll complete a guided assessment that provides insight into your personalities, expectations, and relationship dynamics.
Initial Consultation
We begin by learning your story, your goals, and where you are in your journey toward marriage.
Topics We Cover
Every couple is unique, but we focus on the areas that matter most for a strong foundation
Communication and listening
Conflict resolution and forgiveness
Expectations for marriage
Family background and influences
Finances and stewardship
Faith and spiritual unity
Roles and responsibilities
Intimacy and boundaries
Decision-making and leadership
Trust and emotional connection
Vision, purpose, and future goals
Why Choose Heartland Christian Coaching?
There are many approaches to premarital preparation—but ours is grounded in Christ and focused on lasting transformation.
Christ-Centered Approach
Everything we do is rooted in biblical truth and God’s design for marriage.
Practical and Personal
You’ll receive tools you can actually use, tailored to your relationship.
Guided by a Certified Coach
SYMBIS provides experienced, compassionate leadership every step of the way.
Focused on Lifelong Marriage
We’re not preparing you just for a wedding—we’re preparing you for a lifetime.
Safe and Supportive Environment
We create space for honest conversations, growth, and deeper connection.
Who This Is For
Premarital coaching is ideal for:
Engaged couples
Couples planning to get engaged
Seriously dating couples considering marriage
Newly married couples wanting a strong start
Your Marriage deserves more than guesswork —
it deserves a strong foundation.
Using the proven SYMBIS Assessment, we’ll help you uncover strengths, address potential challenges, and build a personalized roadmap for a healthy, lasting marriage. SYMBIS is one of the most widely used pre-marriage assessment tools available, designed to help couples prepare for lifelong love.
Christ as the center of your marriage
Biblical roles and responsibilities
Prayer and spiritual growth together
Covenant, not convenience
Love that reflects Christ and the Church
Frequently Asked Questions
Most couples benefit from multiple sessions, depending on their timeline and depth of preparation desired.
Yes, we offer flexible options including virtual coaching for your convenience.
This is Christ-centered coaching focused on growth, preparation, and practical next steps.
No. Many couples begin this process while seriously dating and considering marriage.
Yes, we use a structured assessment to guide your conversations and provide deeper insight.