Thirteen reverends and their wives of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) celebrated another step in their commitment to advance God’s kingdom on earth.

The occasion on Saturday was their ordination, allowing them to administer marriages, funerals as well as holy communion for the church congregation members.

Held at the Jubilee Church at Malua, tears of joy flowed freely as the pastors and their families reflected on their journey and celebrated such a milestone in their journey as ministers. The service was well attended by hundreds of church leaders, members, families, and friends from Samoa and abroad. 

A special service led by Reverend Elder Makerusa Porotesano of the C.C.C.S. Ola mo Keriso parish in San Diego and the Reverend Elder for America District commenced the service and reminded the ordained pastors to put God first in everything.

According to the C.C.C.S. bylaws, in order for a church minister to obtain the Faifeau Samoa title, they have to serve within the church's main office at the John William's Building or undertake any other work within the church, for at least two years after graduating from Malua Theological College. 

The majority of those who were ordained on Saturday graduated from Malua Theological College in 2018 and 2019. Most of them are now working in the different branches of the church, teaching at the different colleges under C.C.C.S. or working in the church's main office, and teaching at the theological College. 

One of the ordained Reverends, Rev. Ulatifa Leulua'i, and his wife Tu'ugatala from the Vaimauga district were overwhelmed with joy. Their ordination as Faifeau Samoa on Saturday means they can now administer other important services within the parish they now serve, which is the C.C.C.S. in Letogo. 

They immediately acknowledged God's guidance and love upon them and their journey in His ministry. They also expressed their gratitude towards their families and friends for their ongoing support and prayers for them. 

Rev. Leuluai and his wife had commenced their studies at the Malua Theological College in 2016 and graduated in 2019. 

In 2022, they were called to serve in the C.C.C.S. parish at Letogo. Members of their congregation also assembled in Malua on Saturday to witness the ordination of their church minister. 

Like anything in life, Rev. Leuluaiali'i admitted that the journey to where they are now was filled with obstacles and challenges. However, he is a true believer that once you put God first, everything and anything will fall into place. 

The ordination ceremony was held on the last day of the first week of the church's Annual General Meeting. The Malua Theological College was established in 1844, with the main objective to teach and educate local students so that each village of Samoa would eventually have a theologically educated pastor as a spiritual leader. 

By the end of the 19th century, a pattern of the church's ministry emerged. It was modeled on the Samoan village structure and aimed at preserving, as much as possible, the value systems of the Samoan way of life. The village congregation is the basic unit of the C.C.C.S. with the pastor as the spiritual leader.

Those who were ordained on Saturday include Rev. Esera and Pauline Esera, Rev. Fa'asao and Airona Ma'a, Rev. Koroseta and Maria Tavita, Rev. Leefu and Ie Pule, Rev. Leuelu and Panorama Setu, Rev. Luulau and Faaiuga Taulagi, Rev. Martin and Rosalote Taumate, Rev. Meafou and Sapia'i Ah Ching, Rev. Neli and Ellepama Alo, Rev. Nuufaigata and La'ala'ai Mulipola, Rev. Sinapati and Aomalu Sone, Rev. Tavita and Naomi Pulu, Rev. Tiafau and Lucy Vaega and Rev. Ulatifa and Tuugatala Leuluai.