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Our Story

I’m Michael Johnson, husband to Julie, my wife of over 29 years.

We’re just two ordinary followers of Christ who share an extraordinary marriage.

And we have a blast preparing other ordinary followers of Christ to enjoy what God has given us.

But when Julie and I first met, we never imagined pursuing a mission to empower students and young adults to grow spiritually and date wisely, so they can marry well.

We weren’t even thinking about marriage back then.

Yet now we live with this burning desire to change the mind of the culture about the Biblical meaning, purpose, and significance of marriage. Particularly the minds of those who are currently of the age Julie and I were back when we met. Or even younger.

When did we meet, you ask?

Julie and I met our freshman year at Baylor University in 1989, before media was social, porn was online, and YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime were the major networks.

You’ll see me and Julie in the picture above, taken back when we were wild and rascally college kids and then to the left, five rascally kids later.

How did we meet without social media?

Julie used a piece of technology known in the day as a corded telephone and straight-up cold called me after seeing my picture in a college directory.

And when you hear the whole story, you wouldn’t blame her for calling me. It was a really great pic.

It wasn’t love at first sight.

It was more akin to “like at first conversation.”

In the end we never really fell in love. We grew in love instead.

We didn’t do this intentionally, mind you. We weren’t smart enough, but upon reflection, it’s a paradigm shift that could transform your dating life.

However, trust me, there was PLENTY of drama and at one point it looked like we’d never be more than friends.

However, when I gave up, Julie held up.

With wisdom, grace and vulnerability (and free pizza) she initiated a conversation that kept us from becoming what Drs. Beverly and Tom Rodgers call “surrogate soulmates.”

Today we see many young adults settle for a pseudo intimate relationship like we almost got stuck in, whether they’re sexually involved with each other or just emotionally enmeshed.

Here’s more about that part of our story and why you don’t want to settle for a surrogate soul mate:

If you love Jesus like we did (and still do) you’re pretty serious about discerning God’s will in your relationship life. So how do you go about doing that?

Will God tell you who to date?

Here’s how it happened for us:

In the end…

To discern God’s will in dating, we relied on the same three spiritual disciplines that have been guiding believers in making decisions big and small throughout the centuries.

And now we’re called to inspire and lead wise individuals like yourself in doing the very same thing.

We recount our story on this page, not only so you can get to know us a little, but so you can learn from our mistakes as well as our victories, empowering you to make wiser dating decisions. Choices which are more likely to lead you to a life-giving, life-long marriage.

But we still haven’t explained what gave us the idea for Future Marriage University (FMU)! Why did we want to talk to someone like you about marriage before you’re even in a serious relationship?

Ask my Mom.

Or since you can’t do that, watch this video:

So, if you want to approach your future marriage like it has the potential of being as important, as challenging and as rewarding as your future career (or help others do likewise), you have come to the right place!

We’re glad you came!

Well that’s our story. Let us know if we can be a part of your story by:

Get the free chapter,

“Why It’s So Easy To Fall For The Wrong Person”