Stefanie and Caleb Rouse describe themselves as digital creators who empower singles and couples to have thriving relationships. The mentors, authors and podcasters were named Christian Influencers to follow in 2021. The Rouses are SYMBIS trained and collectively have earned master’s degrees in Marriage & Family Therapy, Theology and Education. Their website, stefanieandcaleb.com, is chock full of valuable resources – links to their books, podcasts, online courses, free downloadables – and punctuated with gorgeous photographs taken by the artistic couple themselves.

The two met at Christian Assembly church in Eagle Rock, California, after both had weathered relationship breakups and other winnowing events that ripped them out of their comfort zones. Life’s disappointments drew them closer to God as they processed their personal pain. It was when each was firmly on the path of emotional healing that “Operation Dream Girl,” as Caleb calls it, came to fruition. A year after Caleb noticed “the most amazing angel” worshipping in church, God allowed their first official date at a church Independence Day picnic. They’ve now been married for 13 years.

While Caleb was raised by two Christian school educators, Stefanie experienced a radical conversion experience her sophomore year at Penn State. “Jesus flipped my life upside right,” Stefanie said. When a fiancé took back the ring three months before their planned wedding – on Valentine’s Day, no less, she clung to her relationship with God to sustain her.

When she met Caleb, Stefanie was pursuing her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Fuller Seminary. She had developed compassion for people whose broken hearts were causing them to fall into toxic dating patterns. Both she and Caleb were drawn to help the next generation but felt God wasn’t calling them into providing traditional therapy.

“We wanted to share where people were hanging out,” Stefanie said, “to help people know their identity in Christ instead of pain and insecurity.” They realized if they wanted to reach people where they were, they needed to connect with them on social media. “We had been saving for a trip to Europe,” Stefanie said, “but we put that money into ministry.” They took visual storytelling photography classes and learned how to develop online courses and communities. Stefanie and Caleb draw from their experiences – whether personal growth through pain or the daily journey of marriage – to support and encourage the younger generation through their webpage, ebooks and resources.

Although Caleb and Stefanie originally determined to help marriages, their past experiences gave them a connection with singles as well. In 2018 they developed the Cultivate Relationship Master Class for those who desire to work on their personal and spiritual growth before committing to another. The mentorship course combines the most useful insights from working with clients, case studies, Stefanie’s marriage and family coursework and their own experiences to help others build confidence, courage and hope.

“Learn the framework I used to drop my past baggage, let go of fear, and how I walked into the relationship of my dreams  – even though I had zero reasons to believe ‘Mr. right’ existed  – without feeling like your clock is ticking, falling into the comparison trap or worrying if all the good guys are taken,” Stefanie wrote on the webpage. Participants will be shown key relationship education tools, understand how to break the cycle of pain, learn to take off masks and stop self-sabotage.

“Part of what our course is so good at is meeting people in their disappointments and discouragement,” Stefanie said. “Some have never dated, others have walked through a divorce or are recovering from infidelity and the deep pain in those areas. Clients on either end of the spectrum are getting the same breakthrough of seeing God over their story.”

The Rouses offer separate seven-week Cultivate Relationships courses for men and women. The women’s class is described as, “Seven weeks to dropping past baggage and walking toward thriving relationship in the future. Be set up to meet and marry a man God would have for you.”

For men, “Seven weeks to move past your past and claim the amazing future God has for you.” “It’s for men who feel stuck,” Caleb said. “Tons of guys lack confidence in Christ to be someone who can confidently pursue a godly woman.”

Clients appreciate how Stefanie and Caleb illuminate the ways they have partnered with lies to believe false things about themselves, others and God. The Rouses help people discern the difference between God’s direction of caution and fear. They also explain how someone might pursue a partner from a place of pain and show how to no longer give attention, space or energy to people who are not right for them.”

Another option either before or after going through the Cultivate Relationship course is to join the Waiting Well online community. 

“A community for singles and those dating, providing transformative trainings, invaluable community support, & faith-based guidance, all designed to lay the ultimate foundation for a vibrant, lifelong marriage,” as described on the website. “This community offers more than just advice—we provide the accountability, support, and practical steps often missing from other programs. You’ll have real guidance and the chance to grow with others on the same journey.”

“People are hungry and excited to be in community,” Caleb said. “Their church may not have a young adult space for those 24+.” People are able to learn, interact on live Zoom calls, or message over the app. Caleb and Stefanie host live Q&A times and sponsor hangouts in person or online.

People meet through the community and also can connect on their own text groups, the Rouses explain. They find others who are likeminded, who have the same faith in God and commitment to date differently.

Also available for singles on the website are the many free downloadables and ebooks.

Waiting for the One (women)

Waiting for the One (men)

Better not Bitter

Break Free From Toxic Dating Patterns

True Love or Settling

From Dating to Forever

Couples will find downloadable, Thriving Marriage and Prayers for your Husband, as well as a Thriving Marriage Course that is available with or without additional couples coaching.

“How to Have a Thriving Marriage isn’t just another marriage course; it’s a comprehensive program designed to transform your relationship into a beacon of love, understanding, and mutual growth. With expert guidance, practical strategies, and a community of like-minded couples, this course will equip you with the tools you need to cultivate a flourishing partnership,” they describe. The course teaches tools in communication, the pain and peace cycle, and how to avoid being stuck in toxicity that couples can apply themselves. Caleb and Stefanie also offer a Master Class on communication for just $9 that focuses on “easy wins” for couples to put into practice. “When you feel less tension, your spouse wants to be around you more,” Stefanie explained. “We’ll help you cultivate love by looking through your spouse through God’s eyes.”

Singles or couples can sign up for the Rouses’ free newsletter and receive a purposeful series of encouraging emails.

Another book, Wholehearted Love, mirrors their podcast and small group retreat. The content helps people learn to be responsive rather than reactive in any stage of relationship. They’ll find healing and view people in their lives with fresh eyes, setting up grace and empathy for themselves and others. They describe the book,

“Loving others can be so messy.

Somewhere along the way, maybe you’ve experienced pain and trauma that caused you to put up barriers in your heart.

Felt disappointed that you didn’t get the relationship you once dreamed of.

Decided it’s too risky to open yourself up to getting hurt.

Maybe you’ve even felt this spreading into your relationship with God. If you’re honest, maybe your connection with Him only feels surface level. You’ve shut down with him too and aren’t experiencing His love like before… This book isn’t just a read; it’s an invitation to a journey of healing, growth, and profound connection. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by pain, let down by relationships, or distanced from God, then this book is for you.”

They also share their journey of child loss while pointing people to God in the downloadable devotion Grieving with Faith that ministers to those who have suffered miscarriage or loss of a baby.

Caleb and Stefanie’s latest book is really a pair – 52 Prayers for a Husband and 52 Prayers for a Wife. Although available individually, they are ideally used as a set. The books offer 52 short devotions to meditate on God’s word. Each day begins with a verse and includes a prayer prompt, a short personal story and call to action. Caleb encourages husbands to cultivate romance and good family relationships and become his wife’s hero. “Every day is a new beginning and way to start fresh,” he said. “You can mess up and still walk with humility to love your wife.”

Stefanie advises wives to align their hearts to see their husband the way God does. She challenges women to ask, “What can I do today to be a blessing to my husband and encourage him without criticalness and control.” If they are trying to cultivate ways to connect, she suggests revisiting something they did at the beginning of their relationship. “Go back to the love you had at first and put it in action,” she said.

The Rouses plan to release 52 Prayers for a Future Husband/52 Prayers for a Future Wife in spring 2026. In these books they challenge singles to be what they are praying for. “If you are praying for a spouse who will be honest, how can you walk in integrity?” Stefanie asked.

Stefanie and Caleb are motivated by a shared love of Christ that compels them to teach others to grow in love as a community.

“God has called us to be world changers,” they write. “We believe that each time we share love with just one other person, we are making a difference in the world.”