Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd LaVine.
Hi Todd, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the founder of “Agape Pastoral Services,” a non-denominational, Biblically-based, Pastoral Services Ministry based in Anoka, MN. I am an Ordained, Independent Minister of the Gospel by the National Association of Christian Ministers. I specialize in Christian Premarital Counseling, Marriage Coaching (making it better), Marriage Counseling (crisis), and Men’s Coaching, Counseling, and Business Consulting with in-person or virtual services available.
I’ve been doing this for over 25 years and have worked with hundreds of couples all around the world. You see, I got my start doing Premarital Counseling with couples separated by distance. 25% of couples marrying today have met online and most of them are separated by distance and therefore don’t have access to conventional premarital counseling.
I have worked with couples in China, Africa, South America, South Korea, the Middle East, Canada, and Alaska to name a few. These couples would otherwise not have access to Premarital Counseling so I’m filling a very unique need.
I also do a lot of Marriage Coaching and Counseling so I needed to find a local office because I started getting more calls locally for counseling which led me to Anoka because it’s close to my home. I needed an office space because I was taking my ministry and business full time, so I needed a comfortable, private, and nice environment to meet with couples that preferred meeting in person. I moved into my current office in Anoka in November of 2021 and currently office here.
I am here for couples, whether they want to set up a solid foundation before they get married, make better what they already have, or repair something that may be broken, Regardless, I’m here to help because this is my passion and calling!
As you know, we’re big fans of Agape Pastoral Services, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in Christian Premarital Counseling, Marriage Coaching (making it better), Marriage Counseling (crisis), and Men’s Coaching, Counseling, and Business Consulting with in-person or virtual services available. I also officiate weddings and funerals.
I think what sets me apart is the fact that I’ve been doing this for 25 years and it’s truly my passion and gifting. I’m wired to do what I do and my heart aches to help couples experience a victorious marriage, regardless of where they find themselves.
What also sets me apart is the personal interest I take in the couples I work with. You know, marriage is supposed to be ’til death does us part, and that’s how I view my relationship with my clients. As long as I’m sucking air this side of eternity, I’m a resource to them should they find themselves needing some help down the road.
One of the other things I think that sets me apart is that I’m not a licensed, clinical psychologist. I’m just a regular guy who has been married for 36 years, studied the topic of marriage and human nature exhaustively in the Bible for 30-plus years, has worked with hundreds of couples and I’ve bundled all of that together into something special that I get the opportunity to share with people.
My clients also don’t get someone watching their watch and calling the session at 55 minutes. If we’re in the middle of something good and a possible breakthrough, we’ll go longer if needed to make sure what needs to be discussed, gets discussed. All of my clients also get a detailed summary of their session with me email to them with a 30,000-foot overview of my thoughts on the session, along with a detailed to-do list of what I want them to work on before we meet again.
And finally, where I think I go the extra mile is that I check in with my clients 1-2 times a week with emails and text messages to see how they’re doing and to see how they’re coming along on their work. I mean, life is busy and can be such a whirlwind that people sometimes forget, and since they hear from me consistently, it gently pushes them to keep working on their marriage and what they need to get done. I’ve had a lot of couples tell me they love the accountability and care they get from me.
It pushes them lovingly to where they know they need to be in their marriage.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
That deep down inside I’m probably more of an introvert and don’t feel like I do well in large groups of people. I think because I’m easy to get to know and make people feel comfortable quickly, they might think I thrive in groups of people and love being super social, but deep down, I’m really an introvert.
Pricing:
- Premarital Counseling – $695 (8 sessions)
- Marriage Coaching – $500 (5 sessions)
- Marriage Counseling – $850 (8 sessions)
- Men’s Counseling and Consulting – $100 per hour
- Normal Hourly Rate – $100 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://agapepastoralservices.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapepastoralservices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agapepastoralservices
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/todd-lavine-agape-pastoral-services
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@agapepastoralservices
