About Us – Value Your Marriage

Meet Dario

HGTV connoisseur. Jazz music enthusiast. Vlogger. Just a few of my favorite things. My ultimate “favorite thing” is being a follower of Jesus Christ. I am a husband to my beautiful wife and best friend, Dawn, of 21 years. We share life together and two children, Anastasia, and Dario Jr. (DJ). As a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, I hold a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education. I have worked for Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 28 years as an educator. I have also taught at the collegiate level as an adjunct professor.

Let’s go back a little. I was born in Brooklyn, New York. After relocating from my birthplace, my parents packed and moved to Miami, Florida. They found a Pentecostal church, Macedonia COGIC, where the love of Jesus Christ was demonstrated. There I learned the importance of faithfulness to God and the ministry. After hearing from God, and a little wrestling with God, I yielded my life and became an ordained minister. I continued to serve the church as a musician for over 25 years.

Moving ahead. Eventually, I arrived at a crossroad in my life. I developed a hunger for more than just music. I had a heart for helping couples in areas of marital and financial matters. So God led me to Refuge Church Miami where I currently serve as Elder and Director of Shepherding. Under the supportive leadership of my pastor, Dr. Jeremy Upton, Th.D., I have been preparing and developing my gifts in the field of counseling and financial literacy. I am currently completing my second Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, with a concentration in marriage and family. I am also a trained and certified financial coach with Dave Ramsey Solutions, where I encourage couples to take control of their finances and become debt free.

My mission. My wife, Dawn, and I will model a Christ-centered marriage in a world that has rejected God’s design and purpose of marriage. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Dario and his wife, Dawn, reside in Homestead, Florida, a small city just south of Miami.

Meet Dawn

Dawn Palmer is a Pastor’s Kid that came to know the Lord at an early age. Having matured in her walk of faith, she is an unwavering follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dawn is faithfully committed to her first ministry, her family. She has been married for 21 years to her husband, Elder Dario Palmer, and they have two children, Anastasia and Dario Jr. and one grandchild, Isaiah. She considers it a privilege to be married to the love of her life, and applies the scripture 1 Corinthians 13, the “Love Chapter,” as a model for success in marriage.

Ever since Dawn was a little girl, she has always had a desire to teach. She pursued her education and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Nova Southeastern University. She furthered her learning and completed a Master of Science degree in Reading Education from Florida International University. For 19 years, she has taught at the elementary level, followed by eight years at the high school level, and seven years as an adjunct professor for Miami-Dade College.

Meet Dawn

Dawn Palmer is a Pastor’s Kid that came to know the Lord at an early age. Having matured in her walk of faith, she is an unwavering follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dawn is faithfully committed to her first ministry, her family. She has been married for 21 years to her husband, Elder Dario Palmer, and they have two children, Anastasia and Dario Jr. and one grandchild, Isaiah. She considers it a privilege to be married to the love of her life, and applies the scripture 1 Corinthians 13, the “Love Chapter,” as a model for success in marriage.

Ever since Dawn was a little girl, she has always had a desire to teach. She pursued her education and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Nova Southeastern University. She furthered her learning and completed a Master of Science degree in Reading Education from Florida International University. For 19 years, she has taught at the elementary level, followed by eight years at the high school level, and seven years as an adjunct professor for Miami-Dade College.

Meet The Palmer’s

Dawn and her husband currently attend Refuge Church Mami under the leadership of Pastor Jeremy Upton, Th.D. They serve as co-leaders of the marriage ministry, facilitate marriage conferences, and offer one-on-one coaching sessions. With a continued desire to make a difference in the lives of couples, Dawn and her husband have furthered their ministry online. With the inception of their ministry, “Value Your Marriage,” this couple’s prayer is to reach and motivate more couples to trust God in their relationships and work hard at staying together to bring God glory.