Samoa paused on Sunday to acknowledge the role of fathers in their families, villages, churches and the community.

The men of Pata Falelatai joined thousands of fathers across the nation to commemorate their special day where the importance of paternal roles in families, churches and the nation was highlighted.

Driving into Falelatai early Sunday morning, the Assembly of God in Pata stood out with more than ten men standing hand in hand in front of the Pastor's house, just ten minutes before the service.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Pastor Tusiupu Maota Tevaga, of the Pata Assembly of God Trinity Temple, said it is not new for the church fathers to pray before every Sunday service.

"It is our way of blessing what is ahead of us today and choosing who may be on certain callings today," he said.

However, each Father's Day, the little pre-service devotion is extended 30 minutes of fellowship and sharing amongst fathers and how they are able to help each other overcome whatever they may be dealing with.

Pastor Tusiupu said Father's Day is the sole day fathers are celebrated for their contributions in families, churches, villages and country, and for this, gratefulness for each Father's Day reached is first and foremost.

Although as fathers deserve the credit on this day, it is also the perfect opportunity to remind fathers of their crucial roles, he said.

And what better way to get the message across than to take the pinnacle of love to serve as a reminder.

"The highest thought is, not only do we celebrate fathers for their calling, but also to remind Christian believers that there is a God," he said.

"As we all know, He is the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. This year we look on and admire that He is our Father.

"He starts, He sustains and the ending of the cycle of every father's calling in families, churches and village."

Pastor Tusiupu highlighted that a blessed father is a blessing to everyone around him.

"We have always seen and heard that children and mothers are blamed when things happen in families such as domestic violence and child abuse," he said.

"But the truth is, I believe that when a father is great, families are great also, villages and churches also.

"This is why today is about our Father God, there is no lapse in his Fatherly role."

Pastor Tusiupu is the father of one, and grandfather of five boys and one girl. He is married to Sarona Tevaga.