As Samoans across the country celebrated Father's Day with family and in church, a Methodist Reverend on Sunday reminded fathers of the significance of spiritual strength to their family roles.

Rev. Faafouina Vaimalu led the service at the Methodist Church of Salamumu with more than 50 congregation members dressed in white and who at times were overcome with emotion.

The churchgoers were joined by a variety of other denominations across Samoa in marking Father’s Day on Sunday.

Rev. Vaimalu was also preparing to attend the opening of the Methodist's main annual conference on Sunday afternoon where he will be joined by hundreds of Ministers from Samoa and overseas at the Methodist Church at Faleula. 

During the service, Rev. Vaimalu joined fathers within his church to perform a song before his congregation. 

“Fathers represent strength within families whereas mothers are a representation of life which is why a mother depends on the father for strength but the two must work hand in hand to raise a family with God as the foundation," he said.

“According to Psalm 27 ‘...the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Fathers must not depend on physical strength instead lean unto to the Lord so he will guide you into the right path.

“Another important part is faith, faith is believing without seeing and a problem most fathers face nowadays is the lack of faith whereas mothers are very strong in faith."

He said that because some fathers do not have strong faiths they become lost and thus give into temptation which leads to more sin.

“Special days like Father’s Day are important because it is a reminder or wake up call for all fathers in terms of their roles played within families whether they live by good examples or role models through spiritual strength," the Reverend said.

“If a father is strong in faith then he will walk with God in every journey and all his family starting from the mothers and the children will learn and grow up to be good role models.

“Remember that no power or strength can compare to God, if you believe and trust in the Lord, then you will receive a shower of blessings. And fathers become the strength of families."

Rev. Vaimalu acknowledged the hard work by all the fathers within their church throughout this year and the year before, “your contributions have been tremendous and huge.”

“Fathers play a significant role in families, they are the head and leaders and they must lead their families through great faith in God," he said.