Relationship advice from the Prevos

Interim President Jerry Prevo and his wife Carol have a lot of relationship advice to offer — more than 58 years’ worth, to be exact. The couple has been married for almost six decades, and although it hasn’t always been easy, their commitment to each other continues to shine a light on their relationship and their love for Jesus Christ.

“When you get married, you make the commitment for better or worse,” Jerry Prevo said. “And you need to have the character to keep that commitment… because sometimes it gets worse.”

Both Jerry and Carol Prevo agree that the key to a healthy and lasting marriage is staying committed to one another and taking the wedding vows seriously. In a culture where instant gratification is a staple, it is important to be patient with one another.

“I think too many young people nowadays just want to say, ‘Hey, I don’t like that,’ and they just want to call it quits,” Carol Prevo said. “If you did your life that way all the time then… you wouldn’t get anywhere.”

In all their years of marriage, Jerry and Carol Prevo have learned a lot about each other and how to live with one another. They agree that the Bible’s model of forgiveness plays an impactful role, not just in their relationship, but in their day-to-day lives.

“When you live together, you’re going to do and say things you shouldn’t,” Jerry Prevo said. “You’re going to get mad when you shouldn’t get mad. So, you’ve got to learn to forgive each other and not carry a grudge.”

Another key factor in their marriage is holding themselves to biblical principles. Both of them are committed to God’s Word and the teachings of Christ. They try not to do anything that could possibly cause discontentment or tension in their marriage.

For example, Jerry Prevo always makes sure to let his wife know if he’s in a bad mood. Good communication allows them to know how the other one is truly feeling. 

“When some people first look at my wife, they think she’s stuck up,” Jerry Prevo said after being asked what he would like others to know about Carol Prevo. “It’s exactly the opposite.”

Jerry Prevo explained how his wife is a very friendly and caring person who can relate to most people very well. She is disciplined and a hard worker behind the scenes both at home and at church. Carol Prevo similarly praised her husband.

“He’s a very strong leader,” Carol Prevo said. “He’s very committed to do God’s work. … He’s a very forgiving person.”

In addition to giving insight on romantic relationships, Jerry and Carol Prevo also gave words of wisdom about friendships. When one is in the formative years of their life, they have many choices to make that will impact their
future. 

“Choose your friends wisely,” Jerry Prevo said. “Most young people get into trouble because they get into the wrong crowd. … Are you going to build your life based on the ways of the Bible? Or are you going to build your life on the ways of the world?”

All relationships require commitment and compromise, and they should be centered around God. 

Jerry and Carol Prevo have followed this model for almost six decades, encouraging students to hold firm to their commitments and approach relationships with wisdom and discernment. 

For better or for worse, Jerry and Carol Prevo pledge their commitment to God and each other every day, and they plan to do the same for every decade to come. 

Bear is the feature editor for the Liberty Champion.